Information IGIHE has obtained from the ministry indicate that affected parts of the country include the Western, Southern, Northern provinces and the City of Kigali.
Generally, the rain didn’t kill anyone but injured eight people including seven from Rulindo District and one from Nyanza District.
The seven injured people are students from Groupe Scolaire Rutonde in Shyorongi Sector. They were taken to Rutonde Health Center for medical attention.
Meanwhile, the rain destroyed 126 houses from different districts across the country.
MINEMA shows that the disaster destroyed 11 classrooms and electrical installations across the country.
Other destroyed properties include cell office in Kicukiro, a church in Karongi while the roof of student’s dormitory in Ruhango District was blown away.
The Permanent Secretary from MINEMA, Philippe Habinshuti has requested local leaders and citizens to make sure that roofs are tightened to be able to withstand wind pressure.
They held a tête-à-tête discussion at the Office of the President followed by a bilateral meeting with delegations from Rwanda and Mozambique to discuss ongoing areas of cooperation.
Officials who accompanied Kagame include Rwanda’s Ambassador to Mozambique, Claude Nikobisanzwe; the Inspector General of Police, IGP Dan Munyuza; the Secretary General of National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), Maj Gen Joseph Nzabamwita and the Senior Economic Advisor to the President, Francis Gatare.
As the Club of Mozambique reported, Mozambican Minister of Foreign Affairs, Verónica Macamo has said that discussions between the Heads of State focused on the progress of joint efforts between Rwandan and Mozambican troops to fight terrorism in Cabo Delgado.
She further stated that the two leaders hailed the courage of joint troops in collaboration with SADC forces to quell terrorists.
“The two leaders broadly saluted the brave young Mozambicans and Rwandans, who with the support of the forces of the Southern African Development Community Mission (SAMIM), spare no effort to stop the action of terrorists in our homeland,” the head of Mozambican diplomacy said.
Besides, Macamo said that Mozambique and Rwanda are considering establishing a partnership in the aviation sector.
“The two state officials focused their attentions on the operation of the airlines of the two countries, which would allow making trips from Mozambique to various parts of the world more swiftly, using Rwandan airlines, taking advantage of the position in which Rwanda is in the world,” Verónica Macamo told the media in Maputo.
Following bilateral discussions, Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed, President Kagame visited Maputo and a market on the seaside.
As he visited the market, Kagame who was warmly welcomed, spoke to citizens about the partnership between Rwanda and Mozambique.
Kagame was last in Mozambique on 25th September 2021.
Rwanda and Mozambique have been enjoying vibrant relations for many years.
Both countries have cooperation agreements in different areas including security, trade and investment among others.
Last year, Rwanda sent joint troops of Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) to fight terrorists in the Southern Africa country.
Following the deployment of Rwandan troops, the situation has been gradually returning to normal where displaced citizens returned home and schools resumed.
The meeting officiated by the Minister of Local Government, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi, also aimed at influencing behavioral change and to further improve the social wellbeing of the young people graduating from the three national rehabilitation centres of Iwawa, Nyamagabe and Gitagata.
It was organized by the RNP and National Rehabilitation Service (NRS). It was also graced by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of Operations, Felix Namuhoranye and NRS Director General, Fred Mufulukye.
So far, more than 41,400 young people have graduated from the three national rehabilitation centres.
Minister Gatabazi said that Agents of Change are part of the national initiatives to ensure a free delinquent country.
Their current status from drugs, he added, is a testimony that people can change, make progress and become an example and an inspiration to others.
“It is likely that at this level, regardless, you can fall back into drugs, that is why in this journey of change, it takes patience, responsiveness, and taking initiatives in seeking what will improve your lives to avoid returning to bad habits,” Minister Gatabazi said.
He urged them to serve as examples wherever they are and to use their testimonies to influence change.
While encouraging them to come together, work together and to support each other; the Minister urged them not to be held back by their bad past, have a purposeful life and to get rid of the habit of waiting for help.
He further reminded them of their duty in national security and development.
DIGP Namuhoranye said that in joint efforts with NRS, 755 Agents of Change have been trained in forming cooperatives. “Supporting these cooperatives is part of the forthcoming Police Month.”
“Security management is a continuous process and a collective responsibility.
Let us all be safe, be an eye for each other, work together to prevent crime from happening and share information in real time,” DIGP Namuhoranye said.
Mufulukye, on his part, said that the rehabilitated delinquents have so far formed 46 cooperatives in carpentry, tailoring, agriculture and animal husbandry, transport and fishing, among others.
So far, he added, 33 cooperatives have received a financial support amounting to Frw370 million.
“Agents of Change is an initiative to facilitate graduates in coordination, orientation, monitoring, advocacy and support in the community. It is another forum to contribute to crime prevention and to advocate for their socio-economic opportunities,” Mufulukye said.
Testimonies
Some of the former drug addicts shared their testimonies of how they started abusing drugs and how rehabilitation centres changed their lives.
One of them in Viateur Munderere, a genocide survivor and graduate of the second intake at Iwawa Rehabilitation Centre, who has since ventured into agriculture, animal husbandry and tourism. His company is now valued in the region of Frw100 million.
“I escaped from Iwawa twice not knowing that this is where I was to get a new and dignified life… It hurts me when I hear people calling Iwawa a prison. It is where I was born again, like many others. This is a dream centre for a new life, where life changes from abusing drugs to taking champagne,” said Munderere.
Like Munderere, Jean Marie Vianney Muhawenimana, who graduated from Iwawa four years ago, today owns a tailoring training school in Nyakariro, Rwamagana District.
He has so far trained at least 20 youth in tailoring.
Kagame arrived in Maputo on Friday 28th October 2022 where he was welcomed by President Filipe Nyusi.
The Heads of State also held a tête-à-tête discussion at the Office of the President followed by a bilateral meeting with delegations from Rwanda and Mozambique to discuss ongoing areas of cooperation.
Rwandan delegation includes Rwanda’s Ambassador to Mozambique, Claude Nikobisanzwe; the Inspector General of Police, IGP Dan Munyuza; the Secretary General of National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), Maj Gen Joseph Nzabamwita and the Senior Economic Advisor to the President, Francis Gatare.
Kagame was last in Mozambique on 25th September 2021.
Rwanda and Mozambique have been enjoying vibrant relations for many years.
Both countries have cooperation agreements in different areas including security, trade and investment among others.
Last year, Rwanda sent joint troops of Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) to fight terrorists in the Southern Africa country.
Following the deployment of Rwandan troops, the situation has been gradually returning to normal where displaced citizens returned home and schools resumed.
The collaboration between FARDC and FDLR has been reported going on since M23 rebel group resumed fighting with Congolese Army demanding the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to respect peace agreements signed in 2013.
FDLR is a terrorist group formed by masterminds responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Mukuralinda said that escalating security problems in eastern DRC results from DRC’s low willingness to abide by established processes to find a solution.
These include Nairobi and Luanda processes and commitments made by both countries’ Heads of State during a recent meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in New York.
The deputy spokesperson stressed that the most important thing is to fight all armed groups as a whole.
“You know that over 120 armed groups are reported to be there but only one is talked about amidst collaboration between Congolese Army with another armed group. Rwanda maintains that FDLR poses a threat in the area, but they overlook the reality and work with it to conduct military operations instead of fighting it,” he said.
“Such acts are not to be tolerated. Rwanda monitors the situation to contain possible threat on its land,” added Mukuralinda.
He further revealed that the violence against Kinyarwanda speaking citizens is also monitored even though some politicians denounced it.
“It is a good move that politicians in DRC denounced the violence but doing so today through social media, and decline to bring to justice individuals behind such acts yet they can be located, is another problem. I think that it is among reasons why such acts do not halt,” stated Mukuralinda.
He however emphasized that leaders continue to engage in discussions where the problems will get a solution whenever DRC’s side demonstrates willingness.
The man hailing from Nyamagabe District has been living in Nyanza to make a living.
His body was found on Thursday morning in his accommodation located in Gihama Village of Nyamiyaga Cell.
Neighbours say that he might have committed suicide over complex problems including debts he owed to different people.
They explained that the man had left his home in Nyamagabe over disputes with her with whom they had sired together two children.
Nyanza District Vice Mayor in Charge of Social Affairs, Nadine Kayitesi has told IGIHE that the man is suspected to have committed suicide over difficulties including debts he owed to different people.
She however added that investigation is underway to put an end on speculations.
“Rwanda Investigation Bureau has launched a probe to establish the cause of his death,” said Kayitesi.
Kayitesi has advised residents to seek assistance from local leaders instead of making decisions to take their own lives.
Harerimana’s body has been taken to Nyanza District Hospital for postmortem.
He made the call on Thursday October 27, while addressing about 700 cyclists at Kigabiro playground in Kigabiro Sector.
“Operate professionally and that requires you to be in cooperatives, avoid riding while drunk. Love and work for your country, put safety and security ahead in whatever you do,” CG Gasana said.
He further appealed to them to subscribe to Ejo Heza, an inclusive scheme targeting both salaried and non-salaried workers to help accumulate savings for a dignified and secure old age.
The Eastern Region Police Commander, ACP Innocent R. Kanyamihigo reminded them of their role in community policing.
He cautioned them against holding onto moving vehicles, working with drug dealers and indulging in other unlawful acts.
The cyclists were also urged to always share information on people involved in unlawful practices, fight gender-based violence and child abuse.
In an interview after the meeting, Brig Gen Mabin said that his visit aims at strengthening military cooperation between the Rwanda Defence Force and the French Armed Forces following the discussions held by both army chiefs in March this year.
“We have set up a roadmap and today we are in its implementation which will result in numerous cooperation actions and exchanges starting in 2023.”
Brig Gen François-Xavier Mabin and his delegation also held bilateral discussions with RDF officials at RDF Headquarters.
Earlier on Tuesday, Brig Gen François-Xavier Mabin and his delegation paid respect to the victims of 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at Kigali Genocide Memorial and also visited the Campaign against Genocide Museum.
The wines and liquors including Hennessy, Moet, and Jameson were recovered on Wednesday, October 26, in a house located in Gisenyi town, Rubavu Cell, Munini Village.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Mucyo Rukundo, the Western Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO) said that one person was arrested over the alleged smuggling and fraud.
“On Wednesday, October 26, at about 11p.m. in response to credible information on smuggled alcoholic beverages stored in a house in Gisenyi town; the ASOC team and the Regional Police Unit went to the said house where boxes of assorted wines, spirit and beers were recovered. Among them are 138 bottles of Hennessy, 120 bottles of Leffe beer, 96 bottles of Moet, 72 bottles of Bacardi, 72 bottles of Grand Marnier, 65 bottles of Jameson, 54 Sheridan’s, among others,” CIP Rukundo said.
Other wines and Whisky recovered include Glenfiddich, Absolut, Veuve Clicquot, and Double Black.
“One suspect identified as Mbarushimana Alias Danny, was arrested at the store. The second person said to be the rightful owner of the wines and liquors, identified as Gakwaya Silas, is still on the run,” CIP Rukundo added.
Mbarushimana told the Police that he was hired by Gakwaya to guard the house. He added that the goods were sneaked into Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), at night.
Smuggling is punishable under the East African Community Management Act, which is applicable in Rwanda, which provides that seized smuggled goods under article 199, are auctioned.
A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is also subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax and a likely imprisonment of between six months and two years.
Two people; Geoffrey Ngabonziza, the owner of the production plant, and one Vedaste Sinaribonye, the alleged distributor of the psychotropic substances, were also taken into custody.
Police and FDA also seized over 3500 litres of Huguka illicit brew and close to 1000 litres of Agasusuruko brew, from Ngabonziza’s store in Nyabugogo and at his plant in Jabana.
“Over 1590 litres of Huguka and 904 lires of Agasusuruko were recovered from Ngabonziza’s store in Nyabugogo.
Drums containing other 2000 litres were found at his production plant in Jabana. Other 106 bottles of illicit brew were also found in Sinaribonye’s shop,” Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, said.
The plant was destroyed and the illicit drinks disposed of. Ngabonziza allegedly started producing the the substances back in 2020.
“Ngabonziza had no license, either issued by Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) or Rwanda FDA, as a prior requirement. The law is clear; alcoholic drinks produced without complying with standards and other laws are considered as simple narcotic drugs,” CIP Twajamahoro explained.
Article 263 of the law determing offences 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, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than seven years and not more than ten years and a fine of not less than Rwf5 million and less than Rwf10 million in regard to “simple narcotics.”
