The partnership was formalized on Thursday, January 26, at the RNP General Headquarters at Kacyiru between the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza and Marcello Fantoni, Kent State University Vice President for Global Education.
The RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, said that the agreement establishes “cooperative relations” between the two institutions for mutual benefits.
“It lays out partnership mainly to develop academic and cultural interchange through mutual assistance in areas of education and research; development of programmes and academic exchange,” CP Kabera said.
The donation, which covers medical insurance premiums for 226 family members, was officially handed over by the Commandant of the CTTC, Commissioner of Police (CP) Emmanuel Butera, to the mayor of Bugesera, Richard Mutabazi.
The donation is a financial contribution by Police officers operating at the CTTC, including those on training.
It is part of the Rwanda National Police (RNP) human security and community development activities.
Mayor Mutabazi thanked the RNP for its community development projects and including ensuring the health of the people.
“The health and wellbeing of the people is an important security factor, and we thank our Police for these community development projects. This defines a community-centred policing and valuing lives of the people,” Mutabazi said.
He urged Mayange residents to strengthen their partnership with security organs, to be eyes and ears of security but also desisting from any unlawful acts.
CP Butera thanked the residents for their partnership in policing to fight and prevent crimes.
“Your policing activities like irondo (night patrols), reporting suspected criminals and their criminal activities, all contribute to fighting and preventing crimes, and further improving the overall security,” CP Butera said.
He further commended the role of grassroots leaders for driving community policing activities in their localities.
Spéciose Ahobantegeye, one of the beneficiaries said that having a health insurance makes her family more secure.
“We sleep well at night feeling secure and now we have medical insurance. We thank our Police and leadership for thinking about us,” said Ahobantegeye
During the Police Month in December last year, the RNP lit 278 households in Bugesera District with solar energy, constructed an Early Child Development (ECD) centre and two houses for the vulnerable families.
This week alone, four people have been arrested at Remera Automobile Inspection Centre (AIC) in Gasabo District and at the Mobile Test Lane in Gikondo, Kicukiro District as they tried to cheat the fuel emission test.
All of them had removed air filters from their vehicles so as to beat the gas emission test, having failed a number of previous inspections.
Some of them have also attempted to bribe Police technicians at the inspection centres, leading to their arrest for attempted bribery.
One of them identified as Jean Pierre Ukurikiyimfura, was arrested Thursday, January 26, at Remera AIC after Police, during the inspection, found that he had removed the air filter. The filter was recovered under the car seat.
His vehicle, registration number RAB 916N, Toyota RAV4 type, was also impounded.
“This is a new trend and owners of vehicles or driver should stand warned that any time such acts are detected, they will be arrested and the vehicle impounded,” CP John Bosco Kabera, the Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, cautioned.
“If any mechanical fault is detected, fix it, bring you vehicle back for further roadworthy inspection, but any malpractices along the process will only lead to your arrest,” he added.
Motor vehicle emissions are composed of by-products that exit from exhaust systems or other emissions such as gasoline evaporation – and they contribute to air pollution that has negative consequences on people’s health.
Meanwhile, CP Kabera also warned against using a driver’s license contrary to the intended vehicle category.
The warning also follows a number of cases in which people have been arrested especially driving trailers or trucks without the category.
One of them is Jean Pierre Ukurikiyimfura, holding category B driving license, who was arrested on Thursday, January 26, at Remera AIC, driving a trailer.
Trailers are driven by those holding category E driving license.
“This practice of driving vehicles without the required category is also becoming common. At least three cases are registered at automobile inspection centres everyday.
Driver’s licenses have classes that authorize one to ride a motorcycle or allow one to drive a certain class of vehicle. Valid driver’s license should be used for the intended class or category,” said CP Kabera.
A statement announcing his appointment reads that Mutesi will assume duties effective 1st February 2023.
She joins BPR Bank Rwanda after serving as the Country Director for Trademark East Africa since July 2016 where she oversaw a strategic trade facilitation programme which contributed significantly towards increasing Rwanda’s trade, investments and jobs’ creation.
She previously served as the Head of Corporate Banking in Ecobank Rwanda and has served as a board member on the boards of BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, MTN Rwandacell Plc, Rwanda Cooperation (RCI), and Advisory Council of One Acre Fund in Rwanda.
Mutesi brings a diversified background in the private sector development and financial sector including corporate governance, credit management, strategy and product development, as well as credible expertise in risk management.
Commenting on the appointment; George Rubagumya, the Chairman of BPR Bank Rwanda said: “We are delighted to have Patience on board and particularly pleased with the experiencer she will bring with her invaluable background in Finance and Trade Development.”
Rubagumya also thanked George Odhiambo for progress made during his stay in office.
“On behalf of Staff, Management and Board, I would like to thank George for his undivided commitment during his time as Managing Director. I believe we are in a strong financial position to foster our desired momentum in the coming years. I wish him all the best in future endeavors,” he noted.
Mutesi expressed delight for the trust bestowed to her to lead the bank.
“I am honored to be given this opportunity to lead this bank and thank the BPR Rwanda Board of Directors and KCB Group for their vote of confidence. As I embark on this journey, priority will be on enhancement of our customers’ experience in dealing with the bank,” she stated.
“I am confident that through the last digital developments, our customers will transition into best-in-class financial services. By increasing provision of capital to businesses for quality investment, we will also support Rwanda’s ambition to foster a private sector driven economy,” added Mutesi.
BPR Bank Rwanda is the largest bank in Rwanda by branch network with 154 branches, playing a critical role in supporting a budding economy to drive financial inclusion in the country, focusing on inclusive growth, equality, financial opportunities, money management, investment initiatives and poverty reduction.
Dr. Biruta relayed the message during talks held at his residence in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo.
The visit was confirmed Congo’s Presidency on Wednesday but did not disclose further details of their talks.
The discussions are held amidst ongoing tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) related to insecurity that has mired the eastern part of the country.
Meanwhile, Denis Sassou-N’Guesso travelled to Kinshasa last month for talks with Felix Tshisekedi on security problems in eastern DRC.
Apart from escalating tensions, Rwanda enjoy cordial relations with the Republic of Congo strengthened by cooperation in the areas of economy and trade among others.
The visit is aimed at discussing partnerships between African countries and IMF which launched the Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST) last year to help low-income and vulnerable middle-income IMF members address longer-term structural challenges such as climate change with longer-term, low-cost financing.
The RST started working with three countries including Barbados, Costa Rica and Rwanda.
As one of the pilot countries of the RST, Rwanda will access US$319 million to support climate change initiatives.
After receiving Kristalina on Wednesday, President Kagame commended him for her visit to Rwanda and IMF’s support to enhance climate change response in Rwanda.
“Thank you Kristalina Georgieva for your visit and for the innovative IMF Resilience and Sustainability Trust. It is productive and will play a key role in scaling up the work of Rwanda and developing countries towards a sustainable and green economy in our transformational journey,” he tweeted.
Before meeting with Kagame, Kristalina interacted with different top officials in the country and the region including authorities in the finance ministry, and central bank governors.
She hailed Rwanda’s efforts to mitigate effects of climate change and reiterated IMF’s commitment to partner with Rwanda along the journey.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana extolled IMF for making great strides with regards to the provision of funds allocated for climate change resilience.
He disclosed that Rwanda is glad to work with RST and ready to invest in projects aimed at enhancing climate change response.
These include Ireme Invest launched COP-27and Green Gicumbi among others.
The motorcycle, Bajaj Boxer RF 115J, was recovered from three suspected thieves, who were also arrested on Tuesday, January 24, in Cyeru Village, Kayonza Cell of Mukarange Sector.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, identified the suspects as Ally Muhoza, 27, Prince Rugamba, 22, and Alex Nshimiyimana, 39.
“The victim, also a resident of Cyeru Village, reported the theft of his motorcycle on Tuesday at about 03a.m. The thieves had also stolen the logbook of the motorcycle,” SP Twizeyimana said.
He added that during a security search, the motorcycle was recovered later at about 06a.m, from the three suspected thieves.
“The suspects were pushing the motorcycle, when they saw security personnel, they abandoned it and run away. However, residents shared information on their identities, and they were arrested at the house where they live, with the logbook of the same stolen motorcycle,” SP Twizeyimana explained.
They were handed over to RIB at Mukarange station. The motorcycle was also handed over to the rightful owner.
Article 166 of law determining offences and penalties in general states that; any person convicted of theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one (1) year and not more than two (2) years and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf2 million, community service in a period of six (6) months or only one of these penalties.
In article 167, the penalty for theft doubles if the offender committed the crime through burglary, climbing or possession of keys other than the owner; the theft is carried out during the night or the theft is carried out by more than one (1) person.
Jean d’Amour Majyambere’s vehicle had failed gas emission test on several occasions when he tried to give a bribe of Rwf20,000 in order to have his vehicle cleared.
“Majyambere’s vehicle, Toyota Carina RAA 333U, had failed gas emission test many times. The vehicle required an overhaul to fix the fuel emission problem.
He thought that bribing technicians would give him a roadworthy certificate, but he was arrested in the act after Police officers reported the attempted bribery to their superior,” CP John Bosco Kabera, the RNP spokesperson, said.
He warned the public against such criminal acts of attempting to bribe Police officers or service providers.
Article 4 of the law N° 54/2018 of 13/08/2018 on fighting against corruption states that any person who offers, solicits, accepts or receives, by any means, an illegal benefit for himself/ herself or another person or accepts a promise in order to render or omit a service under his or her mandate or uses his or her position to render or omit a service, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of more than five (5) years but not more than even (7) years with a fine of three (3) to five (5) times the value of the illegal benefit offered, solicited or received.
The arrest of Majyambere came a day after another driver was also arrested at Gikondo Mobile Test Lane as he tried to cheat the gas emission test after he removed air filters.
Another man was arrested last week at Remera automobile inspection centre after technicians detected that he had also removed air filters and drained filter container in order to beat fuel emission test.
The accusations are part of a statement released by DR Congo on Tuesday 24th January 2023 after Rwanda shot at a warplane Sukhoi-25 belonging to Congolese Army (FARDC) violating its airspace in Rubavu District.
Short videos shared on social media show that the fighter jet flew back to Goma airport where firefighters extinguished its burning right wing.
However, the Government of Congo has through a statement released by government spokesman Patrick Muyaya refuted the violation of Rwanda’s airspace claiming that the fighter jet was attacked during its landing in Goma.
He said that directing the fire at a Congolese aircraft is a provocation inciting war and aimed at reversing the progress of Luanda and Nairobi processes to restore peace in eastern Congo and the Great Lakes Region.
In the morning of Tuesday 24th January 2023, M23 captured Kitchanga region in Northern Kivu Province after hours of intense fighting against the Congolese Army.
DR Congo has again blamed Rwanda for the attacks claiming that they are happening at a time when the country begins to register eligible voters and demanded the international community to exert pressure on Rwanda and M23 rebel group to stop actions that may tamper with elections’ preparations.
A political analyst and journalist, Tite Gatabazi has observed that the statement reaffirm other utterances of Muyaya that ‘elections won’t take place’.
“Complaining that Rwanda wants to disrupt elections is a stand taken by DRC to put its problems on the shoulders of Rwanda,” he said.
Gatabazi continued to explain that the failure of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi to facilitate access to education, build decent roads and health facilities, provide electricity and safe water among other basic utilities prompts him to divert citizens’ attention by externalizing his country’s problems.
“Tshisekedi is dodging Luanda and Nairobi peaceful processes to postpone elections and tries to find a reason to convince Congolese citizens that Rwanda is behind the turmoil that triggered delays,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission in DRC (INEC) is being denied support and necessary resources to fulfill its mandate.
The commission has been claiming that it is not ready because it was denied funds to make preparations on time. Besides, there have been irregularities in the registration of eligible voters as well as in the issuance voters’ cards, identity cards and passports.
The INEC has for several times requested equipment facilitating voters’ registration exercise upcountry but ended to no avail.
“This shows how there are no external factors influencing poor preparations by the electoral commission. The onus remains on DR Congo government,” said Gatabazi.
President Paul Kagame recently accused Congolese President of seeking an excuse to postpone presidential polls by putting security problems in eastern Congo on the shoulders of Rwanda.
“[…] If he is trying to find another way of having the next elections postponed, then I would rather he used other excuses not us,” he said.
The statement is part of the Head of State’s speech towards the end of last year after receiving the oaths of newly appointed cabinet members including the new Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana and the State Minister in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ivan Butera.
At Ankara’s request, a meeting between Türkiye, Sweden and Finland planned for February has been postponed indefinitely, Turkish TV channel TRT Haber reported on Tuesday, citing diplomatic sources.
Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday warned Sweden that it should not expect Ankara’s backing to join the NATO after a copy of the Quran was burned in a Stockholm protest.
“Those who allow such disgraceful acts in front of the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm can’t expect good news from us on NATO membership,” Erdogan said, adding that no individual has the freedom to insult the faith of Muslims or other religions.
The burning of a copy of the Quran on Saturday by Rasmus Paludan, leader of the Danish far-right political party Hard Line, came at a time when Sweden, along with Finland, was seeking Türkiye’s backing to join NATO.
The bid has been blocked by the Turkish government, which accuses Sweden and Finland of supporting the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and Syria’s Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), which Türkiye considers terrorist groups.
Earlier this month, supporters of PKK and YPG hung Erdogan’s effigy by the feet in Stockholm and shared its video footage on social media affiliated with the PKK, the semi-official Anadolu Agency reported.
Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry later condemned this “heinous act” and summoned Sweden’s ambassador to protest the “terror propaganda” against the Turkish president.
On Tuesday, Finland’s Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said that his country might have to reconsider promoting a joint, simultaneous entry of Finland and Sweden into NATO if Sweden’s application is delayed much longer.
Haavisto said that recent protests in Sweden had delayed the processing of the two countries’ NATO applications until at least Türkiye’s parliamentary and presidential elections in mid-May.
“Sweden’s horror scenario will become a reality should Finland decide to go first into NATO. In that case, Sweden would be the only Nordic country that is not a member of NATO. This would leave Sweden in a situation where it has renounced non-alignment, while at the same time being without NATO’s security guarantees,” SVT’s political commentator Mats Knutson said on Tuesday.
Sweden and Finland simultaneously submitted their formal requests to join NATO in May 2022. In June, Türkiye, Sweden and Finland reached a memorandum of understanding (MoU) before Ankara lifted its veto ahead of NATO’s Madrid summit.
In the MoU, Finland and Sweden pledged to support Türkiye’s fight against terrorism, agreeing to address Ankara’s “pending deportation or extradition requests of terror suspects expeditiously and thoroughly.”
The Turkish parliament has not ratified the Nordic countries’ NATO bids yet, arguing that they have yet to meet Türkiye’s request for extraditing anti-Turkish “terrorists,” including members of PKK and YPG.
