The District Police Commander (DPC) for Rubavu, Superintendent of Police (SP) Jean Bosco Karega made the call on Friday, November 4, while meeting about 400 commercial motorcyclists in Gisenyi Sector.
SP Karega reminded them of their duty to maintain security and to report anyone they suspect to be engaged in criminal activities.
“Some of you work with smugglers, drug traffickers and thieves, and some of your colleagues have been arrested in these criminal activities. Do not transport criminals or illegal goods. Instead, be responsive against such people. Make safety and security your responsibility,” SP Karega told the Motorcyclists.
He went on to urge them to always stop when required by Police officers on duty.
The taxi-moto operators were further urged to respect traffic rules and regulations to prevent accidents and loss of lives.
Over 11kgs and 339 pellets of cannabis were also impounded from suspected dealers in Burera and Kayonza districts.
One Uzarama Cyuma, 54, was arrested in Burera District, Rwerere Sector in Rugali Cell, Gatovu Village with 1kg and 339 pellets of cannabis.
Law enforcement organs are also still searching for another suspected drug dealer, who fled during the operation in Ragwe Village, Nyagatovu Cell of Mukarange Sector in Kayonza District where 10kgs of cannabis were impounded.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, the Northern Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO) said that Cyuma was reported by residents.
“Cyuma was a suspected drug dealer trafficking cannabis into Rwanda from Uganda. On Thursday at about 10:30a.m, it emerged that he had cannabis hidden at his home, where Police officers later recovered 1kg and 339 pellets of cannabis and took the suspect into custody,” SP Ndayisenga said.
Cyuma and the exhibits were handed over to RIB at Rusarabuye station.
Meanwhile, in Kayonza District, the trafficker was transporting the 10kgs of cannabis on a motorcycle before dropping them after seeing the Police and fleeing.
The Ministerial order nº 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation classifies cannabis in the category of “very severe narcotics.’’
Article 263 of law No. 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offenses and penalties in general states that any person, who unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, commits an offence.
Upon conviction for very severe narcotics, the offender faces between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.
The head of state delivered the message on Friday 4th November 2022 after commissioning 568 officer cadets who graduated from Rwanda Military Academy in Bugesera District.
Kagame said that the officers commissioned to the rank of Second Lieutenant have acquired knowledge and diverse skills throughout 12 months of training.
“We congratulate you for achieving your dreams. I have no doubt that you are prepared enough and have all it takes to fulfill your duties to safeguard national security and citizens’ development,” he said.
The President reminded new officers that their primary job is to maintain security not fighting wars.
“The Rwandan army and other security organs in our country are meant to protect Rwandans, to protect the country and all its citizens, and safeguard the development we have attained, as we move forward. That is what they stand for. That is where we start. We do not start by thinking that the national army as a profession, is just about fighting wars. That comes last,” he said.
“Their primary duty is security, securing our development gains. When the latter is threatened by war, that is when fighting comes in, that is why I said that is the last resort. What we and our country stand for and the mindset of our army professionals, is that the starting point is to protect what we have achieved. This is different from building an army that just fights wars that would be wrong,” added Kagame.
The head of state highlighted that Rwanda builds the army to protect the nation instead of provoking war. He explained that it is the reason why some recruits undergo science courses before joining RDF.
Since 2015, Rwanda Military Academy (RMA) introduced different university programs to in Social and Military Sciences, Medicine, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.
In 2022, the academy introduced Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. RMA also plans to introduce more programs in the near future.
President Kagame has said that the officers are equipped with a skill-set of knowledge in diverse disciplines that enables them to fit in other professional roles beyond military service in Rwanda and beyond in collaboration with partner countries.
“They are ready for that and have been adequately trained. However, even fighting any war where necessary, requires knowledge,” he said.
He also urged them to deliver on their duties and uphold discipline.
“It would not make sense for you to spend all this time here training and then after, you end up being dishonourably discharged or punished in any other way because of indiscipline,” he emphasized.
Among the 568 officers commissioned today, 475 were bachelor degree holders trained for one year while 93 graduated after four years of both academic and military training.
The 93 graduates combined military training and university studies in Social and Military Sciences, Medicine, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.
Of the 475 officers enrolled in one year program, 277 were in-service soldiers while 198 were civilians before joining the military training.
They were joined by 24 graduates who completed military training in partner countries to take the commissioning oath before serving in RDF.
These countries include the United Kingdom, United States of America, Russia, Qatar, Srilanka, Kenya and Italy.
Tshisekedi made the revelation in the evening of Thursday 3rd November 2022 as he delivered state of the nation address.
He delivered the remarks at a time when the fighting between Congolese soldiers and M23 rebel group is ongoing.
Tshisekedi has called on all citizens, security personnel and politicians among others to unite against M23 and defend territorial integrity.
Tshisekedi said that the rebel group is receiving support from Rwanda in terms of resources and reinforcement troops.
Congolese Army (FARDC) in collaboration with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) continues to lose bases during the ongoing fighting with M23 rebel group.
The defeat has seen Congolese citizens and politicians externalizing the country’s problems and accuse Rwanda of supporting the rebel group, a claim which the latter has repeatedly rejected.
The accusations were followed by protests against Rwanda where Congolese continue to speak ill of the neighbouring country instead of exerting pressure on the national army to quell rebels.
M23 resumed fighting early this year requesting DRC to implement signed peace accords to give leadership positions to members of the group as a gesture to put an end to discrimination against Kinyarwanda-speaking people in the country.
DRC failed to respect the peace accords signed in 2013, labeled M23 as a terrorist group and refrained from engaging in talks with its members.
Congolese Army is gradually losing different bases to M23 which continues to advance towards Goma town after capturing strategic areas including Bunagana, Rutshuru and Rumangabo among others.
Tshisekedi has said that his country tries to maintain relations with nine neighbouring countries and elevate partnership with Rwanda and Uganda, ‘but surprised by the resurgence of M23 which had been defeated in 2013’.
“Through the false accusations of FARDC support to FDLR, Rwanda has intentions to hoard our minerals. To achieve this, it has opted to destabilize eastern DRC to create a lawless zone for its own interests,” he said.
Alluding to waging a war on Rwanda, Tshisekedi said that his country had two options to address security problems in eastern DRC: diplomacy and war.
“I have resolved to prefer the first option over the second. So, the diplomatic option has been implemented,” he said.
“It is worth reminding that our commitment to the pursuit of peace is in no way a sign of weakness, or an admission of our country’s inability to fight tries abusing our patience by means of war. It is an expression of our peaceful and hospitable character,” added Tshisekedi.
Through the diplomatic process, Tshisekedi said that he met with heads of states from East African Community (EAC) on 20th June 2022 in Nairobi, and later met with President Paul Kagame along with Angolan President João Lourenço on 6th July 2022.
In September this year, Tshisekedi also met with his counterpart of Rwanda and French President Emmanuel Macron in New York.
The Congolese President has said that these efforts yielded no tangible results towards achieving peace.
Tshisekedi explained that he has powers granted to him by the constitution to defend territorial integrity until the supreme sacrifice.
He urged Congolese to stand united and in solidarity with security forces to show the highest sense of patriotism in defending the country’s integrity and ensure security of nationals against attacks from wherever.
Tshisekedi also sent a warning to those who betray the country working in the interests of the enemy that they will face the law.
He ordered the Congolese army commander to establish dozens of military training centers as part of preparations to respond to alleged Rwanda’s support to M23.
“In response to the appeal of young people to enroll massively in our Armed Forces, I reiterate the instruction given to the Chief of Staff to accelerate the establishment of training centers through the twenty six provinces in our country,” he said.
“The war imposed on us by our neighbours demands sacrifice from each of us. It is time to silence our political differences to defend our motherland together,” added Tshisekedi.
Officer Cadets from the academy have been commissioned to the rank of Second Lieutenant today by President Paul Kagame who is also the Commander-In-Chief of RDF.
Ian Kagame graduated at the Royal Military Academy in the United Kingdom (UK) recently in August 2022 where he was commissioned to the rank of Second Lieutenant.
He had to be sworn-in before serving in RDF.
Ian Kagame had completed his Master’s degree in economics at Williams College in the United States in June 2019.
The Commander of Rwanda Military Academy said that commissioned officers include 568 officer cadets trained in Rwanda of whom 53 are girls.
They were joined by 24 graduates who completed military training in partner countries for the swearing-ceremony before serving in RDF.
These countries include the United Kingdom, United States of America, Russia, Qatar, Srilanka, Kenya and Italy.
Among the 568 officers commissioned today, 475 were bachelor degree holders trained for one year while 93 graduated after four years of both academic and military training.
The 93 graduates combined military training and university studies in Social and Military Sciences, Medicine, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.
Of the 475 officers enrolled in one year program, 277 were in-service soldiers while 198 were civilians before joining the military training.
During the ceremony, three best students were awarded for outstanding performance.
Gen Kabarebe makes the disclosure at a time when Congolese Army (FARDC) in collaboration with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) continues to lose their bases an ongoing fighting with M23 rebel group.
The defeat has seen Congolese citizens and politicians externalizing the country’s problems and accuse Rwanda of supporting the rebel group, a claim which the latter has repeatedly rejected.
The accusations were followed by protests against Rwanda where Congolese continue to speak ill of the neighbouring country instead of exerting pressure on the national army to quell rebels.
M23 resumed fighting early this year requesting DRC to implement signed peace accords to give leadership positions to members of the group as a gesture to put an end to discrimination against Kinyarwanda-speaking people in the country.
DRC failed to respect the peace accords signed in 2013, labeled M23 as a terrorist group and refrained from engaging in talks with the rebel group.
Congolese Army is gradually losing different bases to M23 which continues to advance towards Goma town after captured strategic areas including Bunagana, Rutsuru and Rumangabo among others.
On the other hand, Congolese continue to accuse Rwanda of being behind M23 and call for a war with Rwanda.
The Spokesperson of DRC recently told the media that ‘Rwanda made a wrong choice because the war it waged against our country will backfire’.
{{No fight with a mad person}}
Gen Kabarebe has said that provocations and accusations of DRC are nonsense because Rwanda’s borders with the country are safeguarded.
“There are many people declaring war against Rwanda but do not do it. When that person becomes talkative the whole day, you listen and wait for actions. That is nonsense,” he said.
Gen Kabarebe was responding to a question raised by one of participants of talks that brought together youth volunteers and students from the College of Science and Technology at the University of Rwanda (UR-CST) in the evening of 2nd November 2022.
“Rwanda can’t be drawn into war because Congolese go mad, throw stones at border or speak ill of it. We fight strategic wars, not wars of provocation […] you don’t fight a mad person […] you ignore him/her but set a red line,” he said.
Gen Kabarebe further revealed that Rwanda can’t be dragged into war by simple provocations.
“Rwanda fights strategic wars to protect its interests. It can’t be involved in provocations and reprisals over nonsense,” he noted.
The Government of Rwanda recently announced that it is closely monitoring the situation in DRC where security forces at the border are on alert.
The exhibition, organised by the Embassy of Rwanda in Sweden together with Rwanda Development Board (RDB), features a variety of Rwandan products such as tea and coffee, chilli, fresh fruits and vegetables, and handcrafts among others being showcased to about 200 importers and diaspora from Nordic countries.
Business to business (B2B) meetings are also taking place along the margins of the exhibition, with Rwandan exporters negotiating future business partnerships with Nordic businesses.
Speaking at the event opening, First Secretary at the embassy, Mr. Alfred Rukeribuga said: “This exhibition has been organised to promote sales of value-added Rwandan products in the Nordic market by increasing their awareness as well as making efforts to secure shelf space for them in major selling outlets. Through this, we hope to increase the demand for Rwandan products in the long-term.”
Gambo Isah, the spokesman for the police in Katsina, told Xinhua on the telephone that the armed attackers invaded the local farm on Sunday in Kampani Mailafia village in the state’s Faskari local government area, taking away the victims to an unknown location.
“They (the gunmen) took away a total of 21 farm workers between the ages of 15 and 19. Most of them were ladies, and only four among them were men,” Isah said, noting the gunmen had already contacted some of the victims’ families for ransom.
The police spokesman said the farm manager had previously made a deal with the gunmen, who demanded “protection money” from farm owners to allow harvesting without disturbance.
Isah said the police, upon receiving a distress call from the village, had swung into action to rescue the victims and apprehend the fleeing gunmen.
Kidnapping for ransom is not uncommon in Nigeria, especially in the northern region where it has become an enterprise. Victims typically are released unharmed after ransom is paid.
The number of ships leaving Ukraine’s ports reached 426, and the amount of grain transported exceeded 9.7 million tons, Akar said in a statement.
“We will intensify our efforts on the extension of the grain initiative, which will expire on Nov. 19,” he added.
The Turkish minister underlined that while using the model of consensus reached in the grain initiative, Türkiye wanted to establish a ceasefire and open the road to peace in the coming days between Russia and Ukraine.
Russia on Wednesday announced its return to the implementation of a grain export deal via the Black Sea, saying Ukraine has promised not to use the humanitarian corridor for military attacks.
The joint coordination center for the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative on Tuesday received a written guarantee from Ukraine of not using the shipping route defined in the deal and Ukrainian ports designated for grain export to conduct military operations against Russia, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
The Ukrainian side officially assured that the maritime humanitarian corridor will be used only in accordance with the provisions of the grain export deal and related regulations of the joint coordination center, it added.
On July 22, Russia and Ukraine separately signed a document in Istanbul with Türkiye and the United Nations on grain and fertilizer exports from Ukraine and Russia to ensure supplies to global markets amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Margaret Muhanga, minister of state for health in charge of primary health care, told the parliament that the budget for the response plan was presented to the Cabinet and submitted to the Ministry of Finance for funding.
Muhanga said that as an emergency, the ministry has cut back on its spending and reallocated 2 billion shillings within its budget to support affected districts in carrying out response activities.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organization Director General, in a tweet on Oct. 28 said adequate resources are urgently needed for scaling up the Ebola response in Uganda, as well as supporting neighboring countries to prepare.
Tedros said while 67.9 million dollars are needed for the Ebola response in Uganda, the current gap stands at 58.2 million dollars. He said the regional strategic readiness and response plan requires 133 million dollars to ramp up preparations in neighboring countries.
Uganda is grappling with the spread of the deadly disease. Some counties have started issuing travel advisories in fear of importing the disease.
Ministry of Health figures show that as of Oct. 26, the country has registered 115 confirmed Ebola cases and 32 deaths since the outbreak was announced on Sept. 20.
