The incident happened in the night of Sunday leading to Monday in Rugunga Village, Gihinga Cell of Rwinkwavu Sector, Kayonza District in Eastern Province.
The Executive Secretary of Rwinkwavu Sector, Claude Murekezi has told IGIHE that the old woman who lived alone was found dead at his home stabbed on the neck.
“It is apparent that someone went to her home and stabbed her to death. The suspect who stabbed her on the neck is on the run. Rwanda Investigation Bureau and other security officials have visited the crime scene and launched investigation. The knife used to stab her was also found at home,” he said.
Murekezi has advised residents against self-administered justice for people in conflicts and reminded them to seek assistance.
“We strongly condemn such cruelty. Residents should seek assistance from leaders instead of committing such crimes. Whoever found guilty, will face the law,” he noted.
Following the incident, the woman’s body was taken to Rwinkwavu Hospital for postmortem before burial.
Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed via Twitter handle that Kagame met with Graça Machel on Monday 24th October 2022.
She has come to Rwanda to attend a two-day African Philanthropy Forum (APF) Conference taking place in Kigali.
Graça Machel,77, is the Founder of Graça Machel Trust and the Foundation for Community Development.
She is the only woman in modern history to have served as First Lady of two countries; South Africa and Mozambique.
Graça Machel is one of the world’s leading advocates for women’s and children’s rights and has been a social justice and political activist for many decades.
She established the Graça Machel Trust in 2010 as a Pan-African advocacy organisation focused on child health and nutrition, education, women’s economic and financial empowerment, leadership and good governance.
Over the past years, the Trust has worked to “Multiply the Faces and Amplify the Voices” of African women and children.
Through collaboration with partners, at all levels, the organization has helped promote and strengthen women and children’s networks to drive social and economic change.
The Graça Machel Trust acts as a catalyst, working across the continent to advocate for the protection of children’s rights and dignity, and amplify women’s movements by harnessing and promoting their contributions to the economic, social and political development of Africa.
It works with global, regional and local partners who are passionate about creating profound change in the issues of focus.
Rwanda has highlighted its position through a statement released on Monday 24th October 2022.
“Contrary to the assertions of the President of DRC that his country is focused on a diplomatic solution to the insecurity in eastern DRC, recent statements and actions show that the DRC Government is decided on a course of continued military escalation. Furthermore, FARDC continues to operate alongside irregular armed militias, including FDLR,” reads the statement in part.
The statement further reads that the Congolese Army (FARDC)’s buildup ‘to renew attacks on M23, a Congolese armed group, is in violation of the agreed regional security mechanisms, including the Nairobi and Luanda processes’.
“Continued public incitement on the basis of ethnicity, use of heavy weaponry, targeting of Rwanda’s border zone, and baseless accusations against Rwanda are unacceptable,” adds the statement.
Despite continued provocations by DRC authorities and armed forces, the statement reads, Rwanda reiterates its firm commitment to contributing to a sustainable, peaceful regional security solution within the agreed regional frameworks.
Rwanda has however indicated that ‘the continual, unjustified attempts to make Rwanda a scapegoat for the internal political problems of DRC will continue to be categorically rejected’.
The statement is released, few days after Congolese Army resumed fighting with M23 amidst the country’s continual allegations accusing Rwanda of supporting the rebel group.
As Tshisekedi met with Congolese diaspora in the United Kingdom on Wednesday last week, he dragged Rwanda into his country’s mess saying that war will be the ultimate option in case diplomatic negotiations fail.
At the time, Tshisekedi also met with King Charles III where he highlighted that discussion on Rwanda was on the agenda of his visit.
Tshisekedi requested King Charles III to use his power in Commonwealth and demand Rwanda to stop destabilizing eastern DRC so that security can be restored in the Great Lakes Region.
However, Rwanda maintains that FDLR is the major cause of insecurity in the region.
Violating Zebra Crossing, one-way traffic, green zones and making U-turn at prohibited junctions; all become a common phenomenon. In some circumstances, these serious violations have resulted into preventable accidents.
In an effort to prevent these reckless human behaviors and to ensure safety of all road users, the Rwanda National Police (RNP) department of Traffic and Road Safety has now started operations not only to educate but also to penalize violators.
In operations conducted on Monday morning, October 24, along the newly upgraded Sonatube-Kicukiro centre highway; at least 150 road users were caught in various violations.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera warned against such high risk behaviors and urged all road users to abide by the traffic rules and regulations.
“In a space of just three hours, about 150 road users were caught in various violations. They include drivers and motorcyclists, who were speeding through pedestrian walkways, taxi-moto operators and cyclists who were riding on the wrong side of the road violating one-way traffic, and those crossing the road through green zones; motorists who were making U-turn at prohibited junctions; and pedestrians who were crossing the road through protected green zones, which is also prohibited,” CP Kabera said.
Most pedestrians claimed ignorance about regulations on green spaces of the road.
“I did not know that crossing through green areas of the road is punishable. I have been doing this unknowingly, but today, I was caught by the Police in the morning as I was rushing to work. This is a lesson to me, and I guess a lesson to many others,” said Theogene Iyangabiye.
Equally, Cyusa Louange argued that she used to cross the road from anywhere including through green spaces. “I was only thinking about not being hit by a vehicle or motorcycle but not the green spaces.”
CP Kabera said that this is a combination of operations and awareness to educate road users on road safety standards to influence behavioral change to save lives lost in accidents and to protect the environment.
“Motorists do not respect Zebra Crossing and make U-turn at prohibited junctions; cyclists have also made it a habit to violate the one-way traffic and pedestrians destroy the protected green spaces.
Sadly, there are also taxi-moto operators and cyclists, who ride through these restricted green spaces,” CP Kabera said.
He added: “People should not be penalized for putting their lives and those of others at risk of accidents. Respecting traffic rules and regulations should be an individual responsibility. These specific operations that have started today will continue.”
Although the first day of target operations was mainly on education, CP Kabera cautioned that the next step will be to penalize errant road users.
“Let me take this moment to say thank you very much to all that sent in the hearty Wishes for my BD,” he posted on Twitter.
“My life thus far been full to the brim!! I have succeeded because of/with you. Where I failed it has been bcz of me alone. I can’t complain!!! Many Blessings to you All !!! added the Head of State.
As Kagame turned 65, different people took to social media their best wishes expressing delight for another year granted to the Head of State.
These include First Lady Jeannette Kagame and their first born Ange Kagame.
“It is always a blessing to celebrate you @PaulKagame! Happiest birthday to a wonderful leader, father, grandfather and husband. 65 is a beautiful milestone indeed. I am ever thankful for the family we have been given. You are a gift to us all!” First Lady Jeannette Kagame tweeted.
Using her Twitter account, Ange Kagame also sent best birthday wishes to President Kagame and described him as an exceptional grandfather.
Paul Kagame became the interim president of Rwanda on 24th March 2000 replacing Pasteur Bizimungu who had resigned. He was elected in 2003 to carry on the duties.
Kagame was born on 23rd October 1957 on Tambwe Hill, currently in Ruhango District, Southern Province.
He is the last born in the family of six children born to Deogratias Rutagambwa and Asteria Rutagambwa.
As Kagame turned two in 1959, his family fled to the north-east part of Rwanda where they spent two years before moving to Uganda.
Like many other Rwandans, Kagame spent his childhood in refuge in Uganda where he studied primary and secondary school.
Kagame led the Liberation Struggle and triumphed after stopping the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The development was announced on 26th October 2021 under a broad plan to facilitate access to vaccines in Africa.
The project is expected to reduce Africa’s dependence on foreign countries where the continent has the capacity to produce only 1% of needed vaccines.
The African Union (AU) seeks to capacitate the continent to produce at least 60% of needed vaccines by 2040.
The facility to sit on 30,000 square meters, will be based on BioNTainer modular system. It will have two BioNTainers used for manufacturing of vaccines and drugs.
The project’s managers indicate that preparations to begin operations are underway where the Human Resource Manager has been already recruited.
It will be closely monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO), African Medicines Agency (AMA), African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda-FDA) among others.
As the project was announced, it was revealed that BioNTech facility in Rwanda will provide job opportunities to 100 until 2024.
The local plant will be collaborating with employees from Germany to train new workers recruited to manufacture vaccines or oversee their standards in Rwanda.
IGIHE has learnt that the recruitment of local employees will be done in three phases.
The first comprises 24 managerial positions to recruit people who will oversee the plant’s activities.
The first phase took heed of human resources management, technology, security and construction.
The next phase is expected to draw emphasis on the recruitment of workers in the laboratory and others to facilitate the plant’s daily operations.
Sources reveal that BioNTech has so far received over 2000 applications from individuals interested to work at the facility based in Kigali in the first phase.
It is said that 90% of these applications are from Rwandans. Six staff members have been hired out of the 24 positions while interview tests are being conducted for more 30 positions.
All basic equipment will be shipped to Rwanda from BioNTech.
BioNTech says that the two BioNTainers to be set up in Rwanda will be comprised of 12 containers 12, each with the size of (2.6m x 2.4m x 12m).
It is expected that 50 million COVID-19 Pfizer vaccines will be manufactured in Kigali every year, once the new facility is successfully set up.
The production capacity might increase proportionally to the number of new containers installed.
The first BioNTainer module is expected to arrive in Africa towards the end of 2022 while the production of vaccines is set to begin in 12 months after their shipment to countries that will host such facilities.
Vaccines manufactured under this program will only be reserved for locals and other African countries.
The support is extended to female agents under ‘Twese Initiative’ launched by the telecom to work with different organizations to roll out activities with impact to the community.
Through this initiative, MTN Rwanda equips female agents from across the country with different skills and gives them Kiosks among other kinds of support helping them to run businesses.
MTN will also bring them together in cooperatives and provide funding to expand businesses.
As part this initiative, MTN Rwanda interacted with 100 female agents operating in Kigali City recently on 21st October 2022. They were tipped on how to run businesses smoothly and enlightened on ways to fight against violence.
Chief Sales and Distribution Officer at MTN Rwanda, Norman Munyampundu said that they decided to empower the female agents in a bid to align their efforts with national priorities.
“We are aligning our efforts with the government’s program to empower women. It is under this context that we decided not to leave behind people working with us,” he said.
Munyampundu highlighted that the female agents will be supported to speed up business growth.
“We have approached these women to provide them with the right skills and empower them, especially through the provision of equipment, capital and teach them how to grow their businesses,” he noted.
Agents also commended the telecom for staying closer to them to ensure success of their businesses.
“We have been working smoothly with MTN. This is not the first time the telecom provides funding to members of the society. We are excited to be among beneficiaries this time around and look forward to business growth and improved livelihoods of our families,” said Chantal Nyirahatambineza.
“We are very pleased and hope to work together for our businesses to flourish. The support given to us will reduce barriers we used to face, thanks to acquired knowledge and skills,” revealed another agent identified as Diane Kampile.
‘Twese initiative’ will be rolled out across the country. Last year, MTN Rwanda donated Rwf10 million to the National Union of Disability Organizations of Rwanda (NUDOR) to procure various types of essential materials for people with disabilities through this initiative.
Nurdin Babu, the Kilimanjaro regional commissioner, told Xinhua in a telephone interview that the firefighters have been drawn from the Tanzania Fire and Rescue Force, the Tanzania National Parks, police, scouts, members of the militia and the private sector.
The fire broke out on Friday night at about 4,000 meters altitude on the south side of the mountain and was quickly spread by strong winds, said Babu.
“We are hoping that the fire will be contained by tonight by the 600-plus strong team of firefighters,” he said, adding that the cause of the fire and the damaged caused were yet to be established.
He said initially there were plans to request the Tanzania People’s Defense Forces (TPDF) to help in fighting the fire but the plans were dropped after reports indicated that there was good progress in putting out the fire.
On Saturday afternoon, Babu said he flew over the mountain with a team of experts for aerial survey to assess damage caused by the fire but the mission was cut short due to heavy smoke and bad weather.
“We made another attempt on Saturday night and managed to see affected areas,” he said, adding that there were no reported casualties.
In October 2020, a fire broke out on the mountain and destroyed 95.5 square kilometers of vegetation and 12 huts, two toilets and solar equipment used by tourists climbing the mountain.
Mount Kilimanjaro, with its snow-capped peak with about 5,895 meters above sea level, is one of Tanzania’s leading tourist destinations.
Roughly 50,000 trekkers from across the world attempt to reach the summit of the mountain annually.
Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), a local humanitarian agency, said on Sunday that among the new arrivals include those who had returned recently thinking the situation was getting better.
Irene Nakasiita, URCS spokesperson, said it is not yet possible to estimate the number of asylum seekers who crossed to Uganda through the border town of Bunagana on Saturday.
Esther Anyakun, Minister of State for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, told Xinhua by telephone preparations were in high gear to receive the refugees.
“According to the reports we have so far received, there are many, many refugees who have re-entered the country. The World Food Programme is already on the ground to offer some support,” Anyakun said.
She added that government was in the process of relocating the previous entrants from holding centers to resettlement camps and with the re-entrance of more refugees, they will have to work faster.
“They rushed to return home, because the situation was not yet stable. We had given some of them transport to go to resettlement camps but they opted to return home. Now you can see they have come back to Uganda,” Anyakun noted.
She also said the United Nations Refugee Agency had dispatched a team to offer humanitarian assistance to the refugees.
“Over 1,000 Congolese refugees have already crossed into Uganda following fresh fights between the M23 rebels and the Congolese government forces. They are currently camped at Bunagana border town in Kisoro district,” Ismail Ndayambaje, a local leader, told Daily Monitor, a Ugandan independent daily newspaper.
“We appeal to the humanitarian organizations in liaison with the office of the Prime Minister to transport these refugees straight to Nyakabande refugee transit camp where they can be accommodated. We faced a lot of challenges as we accommodated them here at Bunagana town council in March this year when they crossed into Kisoro district because of similar fights,” Ndayambaje added.
Jubaland deputy police chief Mohamed Nasi Guled said the attackers stormed the Tawakal Hotel located in Kismayo town with a vehicle laden with explosives, sparking an exchange of fire between the militants and security forces.
Guled, who did not confirm the number of casualties, appealed for calm, saying security forces would soon restore order at the hotel frequented by the government and politicians.
“We will shortly deal with the terrorists who are three in number,” he told journalists, noting that students are among the casualties.
Al-Shabab terror group which is fighting to overthrow the internationally-backed government claimed responsibility for the attack on the heavily guarded hotel.
