The statement released by US Embassy in Rwanda reads that the next batch expected to arrive towards the end of this week will bring the total number of vaccines delivered to Rwanda to 1,239,830.
US Ambassador to Rwanda, Peter H. Vrooman has said that the vaccines are meant to save lives of citizens giving them protection against COVID-19 as the world continues to beef up efforts to defeat the pandemic.
He also revealed that the vaccines will support the country to recover the economy shaken by effects of COVID-19.
In June this year, US President Joe Biden announced the U.S. Government’s commitment to procure and donate an additional 500 million Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses to up to 100 countries supported by the COVAX Advance Market Commitment and member states of the African Union.
On 22nd September, he also announced that US will donate more 500 million COVID-19 vaccines with a target to reach 1.1 billion vaccines to be donated by 2022.
Rwanda has so far received 3,658,310 COVID-19 vaccines. The Ministry of Health recently announced that 21% of the target population of 7.8 million people (representing 60% of the Rwandan population) is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Monthly data bundles that once offered 4GB at Rwf5,000 and 12GB at Rwf10,000, now offer 7GB and 30GB respectively at the same price. Customers can enjoy this offer by dialling *345# and selecting option 4 to purchase a 4G data bundle.
MTN Rwanda’s objective of driving the digital transformation of customers’ lives through this initiative is motivated by the belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life.
“The last two years have illuminated the essential need for good internet connectivity, further feeding into how access to the internet is no longer a privilege but a necessity. At MTN, we strive to ensure that affordability and value go hand-in-hand. This revamp to our 4G bundles gives our customers a great experience with much more data for browsing, streaming and downloading,” said Yaw Ankoma Agyapong, MTN Rwanda’s Chief Consumer and Digital Officer.”
Customers with 4G devices on the MTN network who are currently not enjoying 4G service on their phones, can dial *456*1# to check if they have a 4G SIM card. All 4G device owners who do not have a 4G SIM card are entitled to a FREE SIM swap at any MTN service centre.
Customers who have 4G devices and 4G SIMs but cannot enjoy 4G service need to enable 4G/LTE data usage in their phone settings by following the steps at www.mtn.co.rw/4G-settings.
Customers without 4G-capable devices can visit any service centre to trade in their current device for a new 4G-capable smartphone to enjoy this great offer and amazing internet speeds.
{{About MTN Rwandacell PLC}}
MTN Rwandacell PLC (MTN Rwanda) is the market leader in mobile telecommunications in Rwanda. Since 1998, we have continuously invested in expanding and modernising our footprint and are the country’s No 1 network.
MTN Rwanda offers various innovative services to consumers and enterprises, including personalised voice, data, home and fixed connectivity solutions. The company is also the front runner in Mobile Financial Services in Rwanda delivered through its FinTech subsidiary, Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd.
The ring was arrested on Thursday, September 30, in Rukoma and Ngamba sectors following credible information provided by residents.
The Police spokesperson for the Southern region, Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire said that five of the suspects were arrested in Rugarama village, Kazirabonde cell, Ngamba sector.
They are Evode Kirezi, 30, Martin Segatwa, 40, Jean Pierre Niyigaba, 28, Vianney Sibomana, 42, and Gaspard Twagirimana, 60.
Two other members of the ring; Adolphe Rugira, 45, and Xavier Maniraguha, 36, were arrested in Nyenge and Rugarama villages, respectively, in Rukoma sector.
“The group armed with traditional weapons including machetes, were ambushing people, assaulting them and violently robbing them,” SP Kanamugire said.
The suspects were handed over to RIB at Rukoma station for further legal process.
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, a community service in a period of six (6) months or only one of these penalties.
In article 167, however, the penalty for theft doubles if the act was carried out at night or by more than one person.
The statement released last night shows that 159 people have caught the virus out of 11641 sample tests while 12 are critically ill.
A total of 1,671,718 people have been fully vaccinated while 2,122,645 received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program on 5th March 2020.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.
The international conference organized by Swiss foundation known as ‘WPC Foundation’ acts as a forum for discussion and reflection about the global economy and international relations.
Kagame is among participants of the conference scheduled from 1st to 3rd October 2021.
This annual conference revolves around debates gathering economic and political leaders, diplomats, representatives of civil society, experts and journalists from all over the world. It aims at reflecting, debating, and offering constructive solutions to major regional and international issues, in an atmosphere of respect and tolerance.
The World Policy Conference was launched in 2008, by Thierry de Montbrial, President and Founder of the French Institute of International Relations.
The President made the revelation on Wednesday 29th September 2021 during an interactive session that followed the official launch of Rwanda- Zimbabwe Trade and Investment Conference.
During the session moderated by Benson Mbewe, Kagame responded questions on Rwanda’s partnership with renowned football teams on Europe to market the country’s tourism attractions through ‘Visit Rwanda’ campaign.
Arsenal and Rwanda Development Board (RDB) initially teamed up back in 2018 with Visit Rwanda becoming the Gunners’ official tourism partner, as well as the club’s first sleeve sponsor.
That contract was reportedly worth US$30 million over three years.
In 2019, Rwanda entered another partnership with Paris Saint-Germain based in France.
The partnership with Arsenal was extended this year but different people used different mainstream media and social media platforms to criticize the partnership saying the country is wasting money that would be used for other development projects.
Kagame said that people criticizing the partnership are not well informed.
“I don’t think those people know what they are talking about. The partnership we have with Arsenal has actually attracted more people who have brought to the country more money than we have given Arsenal. You don’t have to be a very sharp businessman. I am not one, but I think on this one, we got it right,” he said.
“I have seen some writings in the British papers, not written by Africans, but by those people there saying you know Rwanda is wasting our money because they give us aid. But even then, they are mistaken. If you give me aid, how do you want me to use it? Or why would you dictate to me how I use it. If you can give me 50 million and in using the 50 million, I am able to earn the country 300 million. Why would you blame me for that,” added Kagame.
After extending the deal with Arsenal, RDB announced that Rwanda’s tourism revenue by the end of the first year of the partnership increased by 17% to US$498 million in 2019 from US$425 million in 2018.
Leisure tourists from Europe increased by 22% and by 17% from the United Kingdom.
According to RDB, the renewed partnership will build on the gains made over the last 3 years and ‘contribute towards Rwanda’s economic recovery strategy following the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the tourism sector’.
The duo of Audace Kazoza, 45 and Christopher Sinigenga, 27, was arrested red-handed on Tuesday, September, 28, at about 11am, in Tonero Village, Mutenderi Cell, Mutenderi Sector.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that the two men were arrested in partnership with and residents.
“Kazoza and Sinigenga tried to defraud a mobile banking agent whom they gave Rwf50, 000 worth of counterfeit bills to deposit on their mobile account,” said CIP Twizeyimana.
Fortunate enough, the banking agent noticed few minutes later that all the bills given to him were counterfeit.
“The agent immediately informed people who were around by, the residents in turn called the Police but they also swiftly exercised their community policing rights, followed and apprehended two two men as they were fleeing and handed them over to the Police.
When Police officers checked in the bag two two suspects had, they recovered other bundles of counterfeit money. Frw190, 000 were in the denominations of Rwf5,000 and Rwf438, 000 in the denominations of Rwf2000,” CIP Twizeyimana said.
Upon their arrest, the suspects claimed that they got the fake money from a businessman operating in the City of Kigali whom they had sold minerals.
Kazoza and Sinigenga are not licensed minerals.
“Law enforcement organs are going to work together to follow up on the origin of this big sum of counterfeit money and to arrest anyone involved to face justice,” the spokesperson said.
The suspects were handed over to RIB at Kibungo station for further legal process.
Article 269 of the law determining offences and penalties in general states that any person who, fraudulently counterfeits, falsifies or alters coins or bank notes which are legal tender in Rwanda or abroad, notes issued by the Treasury with its stamp or brand, either banknotes or alike that have legal tender in Rwanda or abroad, or one who introduces or issues in Rwanda such effects or notes with knowledge that they are forged or falsified, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years and not more than seven years.
The statement released last night shows that 168 people have caught the virus out of 11085 sample tests, three recovered while 10 are critically ill.
A total of 1,663,703 people have been fully vaccinated while 2,116,184 received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program on 5th March 2021.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.
He made the revelation on Wednesday 29th September 2021 as he officially launched Rwanda- Zimbabwe Trade and Investment Conference.
The three-day conference bringing together investors from Zimbabwe and Rwanda is taking place at Kigali Convention Centre from Tuesday 28th to Thursday 30th September 2021.
It is aimed at sharing expertize and opportunities from both countries to explore new avenues of cooperation in different areas of development.
As he addressed close to 200 Rwandan and Zimbabwean senior officials and business leaders attending the conference, Kagame said that progress does not come at random highlighting that African countries, particularly Rwanda and Zimbabwe, need to cooperate and work hard.
“Progress does not come easily, or without sacrifice. It requires hard work, dedication, and self-reliance. But self-reliance does not mean being alone. No country on our continent can prosper without cooperating within our region. We have to come together, pool our resources and knowledge, and reinforce one another,” he said.
Kagame also said that Rwanda and Zimbabwe have investment opportunities and urged participants to take advantage of it and put into action deliberations of the conference relentlessly.
The Deputy CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Zephanie Niyonkuru said that that the conference started yielding on the first day with the signing of five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the areas of Information and Communication Technology and E-Government, Agriculture and Livestock Development, Tourism and Business Events, Environment and Climate Change and another between the confederation of Zimbabwe Industries and Rwanda Private Sector Federation.
Apart from signed MoUs, Niyonkuru said that companies from Rwanda have explored investment opportunities in Zimbabwe and vice versa.
The project was launched one month ago in Mbyo Village of Unity and Reconciliation located in Bugesera district.
The village accommodates perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, survivors and other Rwandans that lived inside and outside the country before and during the Genocide.
The societal healing program is a joint project between Rwanda and the European Union, implemented by Prison Fellowship Rwanda through Inter Peace, an international organization purposed to strive for durable peace.
Under the project, residents resettled in the village were brought together to form different groups involved in different income generating activities namely; handcrafts of making pointed baskets, growing tomatoes and vegetables among others.
As they do daily activities, residents dedicate specific time for discussions to reflect on the past and tell the truth which helps to heal wounds.
It also is a moment for perpetrators to ask forgiveness and survivors to pardon offenders to promote unity and reconciliation as they continue to move together along their business growth.
The Chairman of Prison Fellowship Rwanda, Bishop John Rucyahana has said that the project is meant to promote efforts to heal wounds of Genocide.
“It is a new approach to heal wounds and engaging in profitable businesses at the same time. People have understood the relevance of such activities that we are running quite a number of vivid projects. We also involve the youth and have optimism that these activities will continue contributing to the healing process and improved wellbeing as well,” he said.
Rucyahana explained that the project is expected to reduce trauma, promote unity and reconciliation.
“These groups help to heal wounds because members interact and heal each other through their discussions at work. Besides, they share fruits of their work and make future plans together. It is a powerful medicine soothing their hearts to continue living, working together and discuss the dark past whereby offenders can repent, apologize as they move on with life,” he said.
The mayor of Bugesera district, Richard Mutabazi said that the initiative helps residents to live in harmony and consolidate gains in unity and reconciliation.
“This project came in handy to reinforce Rwandans’ efforts to uphold unity and understand that peace is attained through sitting together to reach common ground and go beyond to do income generating activities,” he said.
“Whatever we do, building infrastructures, peace and security cannot not last long when people turn against each other. Unity is a strong foundation upon which the sustainability of our achievements relies,” added Mutabazi.
Residents who received seed funding to implement their projects revealed that these initiatives not only give hope to spur economic growth but also help them to stand united.
Hilarie Niyongira, is a resident of Byimana village, Kimaranzara cell of Ririma sector.
She would often get isolated in the society and called ‘Interahamwe’ because her father’s role in Genocide.
“I grew up with stigma because neighbors used to call me Interahamwe but I have been integrated in the society that I live without isolation,” she said.
The management of Prison Fellowship Rwanda has revealed that the program will be extended countrywide depending on available means.
Prison Fellowship Rwanda (PFR) is a non-profit organization that works in partnership with the government of Rwanda and its relevant agencies, local and international organisations as well as UN agencies to foster interventions that support psycho-social healing, peace building and reconciliation, restorative justice, crime prevention, human rights promotion and legal aid, intervening in emergencies as well as nurturing socio-economic empowerment in Rwanda in the wake of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and its aftermath.
Prison Fellowship Rwanda was founded on 01st July 1995, affiliated to the Prison Fellowship International in 1997. It was officially registered and recognized by the ministerial order no 037/17, of 23/10/2002, by the Ministry of Justice as a non- profit organization, published in the official gazette of the Republic of Rwanda in 2002.
Since 2014, Prison Fellowship Rwanda in partnership with Prison Fellowship International (PFI) have been supporting the children of prisoners by providing services and activities which meet the four most vital needs of children, namely education, safety, health, and spiritual engagement. A new and innovative program was launched in July 2021 as a result of seven years of field experience, and best practices developed to meet the needs of children with incarcerated parents through the implementation of the program entitled ‘The Child’s Journey’.
The program pairs each enrolled child with a trained Caseworker.
