The man was detained on Wednesday 15th February 2023 in Rwabarema Village, Cyarubare Cell of Kabare Sector.
IGIHE has learnt that the five boys are respectively aged 13,15 (2),17 and 19. The victims testify that the suspect sodomized them at different times with threats that disclosing it would put their lives in danger.
The victims suffered from complications that led to the identification of the suspect after six months.
The executive secretary of Kabare Sector, Longin Gatanazi has confirmed to IGIHE that the man was arrested over defiling boys.
“He is a 34-year old man who has been working as a mason coming from Northern Province. We realized that the man has been defiling the boys for six months luring them with Sambusa, sugar canes, money and other seductions.
One of the victims started suffering from anus, failed to sit and caught diarrhea prompting his parent to report the issue to local leaders,” he said.
Gatanazi revealed that the parent reported the case during a meeting whereby other residents claimed that there is a man who has been defiling their children and demanded justice.
As he said, the detained suspect denies the accusations.
The Exercise is primarily based at the school of Infantry Isiolo, in Kenya with other field training exercises concurrently running in Djibouti, Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda.
Rwanda received a Level Two Hospital that involves 150 military personnel including 126 from Rwanda and 24 from Armenia, Czech Republic, Kenya and USA.
The Level Two Hospital was established in Gako, Bugesera District and will be conducting medical outreach activities and aerial medical evacuation as part of the Exercise.
According to Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence, RDF also sent 44 military personnel to Kenya.
The JA23 is a multinational exercise that brought together US – Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (STAF-AF) and 18 countries with 800 military participants from 4 continents to increase partner readiness capacity for peacekeeping missions, crisis response and humanitarian assistance.
Kagame arrived in Ethiopia on Thursday 16th February. The summit is expected to be held between 18th and 19th February 2023.
The 36th Ordinary Session of the Heads of State and Government of the AU is organized by the African Union Commission (AUC).
The opening ceremony of the AU Summit will take place in the presence of the leadership and officials of the AU Commission, Ministers and Ambassadors from the AU Member States, officials of AU organs and offices and partners.
President Kagame is also expected to attend meetings of heads of state on security situation eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
It will come after the previous one on security problems in DRC held on 4th February 2023 in Burundi.
The Heads of State and Government at their 36th Ordinary Session are expected to consider among others, the draft agenda, draft decisions and declarations of the Assembly for adoption, submitted by the 42nd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council held prior to the summit on 15 and 16 February 2023.
The summit will also examine strategic status report of their session such as the Report on the Institutional Reforms of the AU to be presented by President Paul Kagame, the Report on the activities of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the state of peace and security in Africa, the Report on global political, financial and energy policy governance, to be presented by Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal and the Report on global food crisis.
Reports of Heads of State and Government committees of the Assembly notably, the Reports of the forum of Heads of State and Government participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism APRM forum) by Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Chairperson of the African peer review mechanism (APRM) , the Report of the AUDA-NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee , and the Report of the AU Committee of Ten (C-10) Heads of State and Government on the Reform of the UN Security Council, will also be considered during the summit.
Reports of the Leaders on specific thematic issues such as the Annual Report of the AUC Chairperson including the Champions reports, the report on the African Union response on Covid-19 pandemic in Africa, by Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa and AU Champion for the Covid-19 pandemic response, Report on the evaluation of the First-Ten Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) by Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire and the report on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by Mahamadou Issoufou, former President of the Republic of Niger and leader on AfCFTA, including the report of the Committee of the African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), will also be discussed during the summit, before concluding on the adoption of the date and venue of the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union and the date and venue of the 5th Mid-Year Coordination meeting.
Among the high moment during the summit will be the appointment of the Director General of Africa CDC and the appointment of One (1) Member of the AU Board of External Auditors, for the Two-Year Term, 2022 and 2023
The trio include a taxi-moto operator, who was intercepted along Nyabihu-Ngororero highway transporting 4134 pellets of cannabis.
Two others are suspected traffickers and suppliers, according to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Mucyo Rukundo, the Western Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO).
“The hired transporter, a taxi-moto operator, was intercepted at about 11a.m, by the Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime (ASOC) unit, in Mukamira sector along Nyabihu-Ngororero highway after it was tipped off by some members of the public,” CIP Rukundo said.
He added: “The motorcyclist later disclosed another man, a trader in Bigogwe Sector, who have him the very severe narcotic drugs to deliver them to a client in Muhanga District. The said trader was also located and arrested at a bar in Bigogwe alongside another man, who is also suspected to be a member of the same ring.”
Police also recovered packaging products at the trader’s home in Kibingi village, kijote cell in Bigogwe Sector, which they were using to pack cannabis in small rolls.
The suspects were handed over to RIB at Jenda station for further investigations.
The taxi-moto operator said that he was hired for Rwf100,000 to deliver the narcotics to someone in Muhanga.
“Law enforcement organs are still searching for other members of the rackets, including their retailing clients.”
CIP Rukundo lauded the residents, who facilitate security operations to break chains of supply.
Trafficking and selling very severe narcotic drugs in Rwanda attracts an imprisonment of between 20 years and life, under article 263 of the law determining offences and penalties in general in Rwanda.
He made the disclosure on Wednesday 15th February 2023 after Congolese soldiers entered the no man’s land on the side of Rusizi District and shot Rwanda’s border post where Rwandan soldiers responded and repelled them.
After the incident, Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) announced that FARDC forces involved in the provocation were estimated to be about one section (12 to 14 soldiers).
Speaking to RBA, Mukuralinda has said that the latest incident is a testament of ongoing provocations by DRC but assured that there is no war between both countries.
“There is no war because it is not Rwanda’s option. The country has clearly indicated this and the statement still stands. Rwanda believes that the problem will be solved through peaceful process,” he said.
“We don’t need a war but Rwanda will defend itself against attacks and fight when it is dragged into a war. When it comes to provocations, it is another issue. The latest incident is part of ongoing provocations,” added Mukuralinda.
He has also disclosed that DRC’s continued provocations to Rwanda signals lack of willingness to find a solution for insecurity in eastern part of the country.
“It reflects what we have been saying that Congo did not implement Luanda resolutions on its side […] if the country declined to do so and witnessed no changes in the situation, it attempts provocations,” said Mukuralinda.
As for the incident in Rusizi, he observed that DR Congo might announce the opposite that Rwandan soldiers entered the country’s territory.
Before concluding his term, Kagame chaired the 40th session of AUDA-NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee on Wednesday 15th February 2023 which discussed health, infrastructure financing and elected President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as the new Chair of the AUDA-NEPAD HSGOC.
It was also attended by Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador Nkengasong as partners.
The Head of State commended AUDA-NEPAD for working closely with regional economic communities and member states to set up regional health financing hubs.
As highlighted during the second Dakar Financing Summit hosted by President Mack Sall recently, Kagame reminded participants that the continent’s infrastructure remains weak yet the world continued to experience difficult times last year.
The President underscored that he shared Africa’s perspective on these pressing issues as he attended G20 and the Effective Development Cooperation Summit on behalf of AUDA-NEPAD.
“First, I mentioned that higher borrowing costs are deepening Africa’s debt burden. But there are tools to get our economies back on track,” he said.
Of these, Kagame pointed out the International Monetary Fund’s new Resilience and Sustainability Trust, and the Debt Service Suspension Initiative.
Secondly, the Head of State emphasized that Africa continues to lag behind in terms of pharmaceutical production where the continent’s efforts to bridge this gap ‘are crucial to our health security’.
Thirdly, Kagame highlighted that what Africa needs is peace when it comes to geopolitical conflict.
He also mentioned how Africa has been disproportionally affected by the rise in food and fertilizer prices.
To better support the implementation of AUDA-NEPAD programs, Kagame observed that the agency needs to be financed in a predictable and sustainable manner given that it has fallen significantly as voluntary contributions have declined, hence increasing dependence of development partners.
“These issues need to be addressed. Otherwise, it is like saying, that we do not need the work which AUDA-NEPAD is charged with doing on our behalf.
As I conclude my term as Chair, I take this opportunity to thank all of you, along with our partners, for the continued dedication to Africa’s development. Let’s continue working together to meet our objectives,” he said.
Kagame has been chairing the AUDA-NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee since 2020.
Chris Froome, his teammates and representatives from the management of Israel Premier-Tech arrived at Kigali International Airport around 2:52 a.m on Thursday 16th February 2023.
Froome 37, is among legendary cyclists as he won seven Grand Tours: four editions of the Tour de France (in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017), one Giro d’Italia (2018) and the Vuelta a España twice (2011 and 2017). He has also won several other stage races, and the Vélo d’Or three times.
Upon arrival, Froome expressed delight to be in Rwanda for the first time.
“It is my first time here. I grew up not too far away, in Kenya. I am happy to be here and looking forward to the race this week,” he noted.
“I don’t really know what to expect in the race, I have never raced here before. I am expecting a fast and furious week racing. […] I am sure there is a lot of strong local talents and I am looking forward to getting to know some of those guys,” added Froome.
At least 100 riders from 20 teams are expected to participate in the race scheduled between 19th and 26th February 2023.
Froome confirmed his participation in Tour du Rwanda on 15th January 2023.
He will be riding for Israel Premier-Tech which is participating in Tour du Rwanda for the eighth time.
Froome was expected to participate in Tour du Rwanda 2022 but got a knee injury during preparations.
In 2019, he sustained serious injuries in a freak high-speed accident. At the time, the cyclist broke a leg, ribs and an elbow after colliding with a wall outside the town of Roanne in the Loire in France.
After leaving Team Ineos, Froome raced in Tour de France mu 2021 where he finished in 133rd place.
Israel Premier-Tech team landed in Kigali three days ahead of Tour du Rwanda 2023.
It has joined other teams that have already arrived in Rwanda to participate in the eight-day race.
These include TotalEnergies from France, Terengganu Polygon from Malaysie, Bike Aid from Germany, Soudal Quick-Step from Belgium and Bolton Equities Black Spoke from New Zealand which arrived in the morning of Wednesday 15th February 2023 as well as Tartu 2024 from Estonia which landed in Rwanda on 10th February to make enough preparations in Musanze.
The delegation, which is in the country since Monday, visited the RNP to specifically understand Rwanda’s traffic management policies and enforcement.
The Deputy Police Chief thanked the delegation for choosing Rwanda and the RNP in particular for their benchmarking.
Through a presentation, the delegation was given an overview on traffic management in the country, mainly through the three departments of Traffic and Road Safety (TRS), Automobile Inspection Centre (AIC) and Testing and Licensing (TL).
Effective laws and policies, embracing technology as well as public awareness were identified as efficient tools that are facilitating the RNP in road traffic management system.
Technology in road traffic management includes the integrated database, speed governor, fleet management system, traffic enforcement cameras, red light cameras and body worn cameras, among others.
The integrated database records transactions related to fines and related exhibits, facilitates online booking, either for automobile inspection or driving test, among others.
Whereas traffic enforcement cameras largely enforce speed limits, red light cameras captures automobiles that have violated and entered an intersection after the traffic lights controlling the intersection have turned red.
The Liberian officials from different entities, including the Police and ministries, inquired more on the process of acquiring a driver’s license, management of traffic flow and enforcement.
“Laws and policies must be respected by everyone, regardless of who you are, and that has become a culture; whether wearing a helmet for everyone on a motorcycle, observing speed limits, driving only when you are sober and other practices permitted for safer road usage. Contrary to that, there are specified punitive measures, including fines,” DIGP Ujeneza said.
She further mentioned road safety awareness as a key factor in improving road security to drive the ideals of shifting from respecting traffic rules as a law to making it a choice and ultimately a culture.
Samuel C. Wonasue, the coordinator of the road safety secretariat in Liberia, and head of the delegation, said that their five-day visit to Rwanda is for “peer review.”
“There is a lot we can learn and borrow from Rwanda, including in traffic management,” said Wonasue.
Later, the Liberian officials also visited the command and control centre, traffic and road safety enforcement system and the Traffic and Road Safety headquarters.
The caution follows separate post-match incidents in which some fans have turned violent and assaulted their opponents, and causing public disorder.
Last Sunday, February 12, shortly after a football match between Rayon Sports and APR at Huye stadium, a group of violent youth pelted stones at a Kigali-bound bus carrying APR fans, injuring six of them. Subsequently, six people were arrested in connection with the act.
In last December, a similar incident occurred in Rubavu District where two APR fans were assaulted and seriously injured. This was after a football match between Etincelles and APR.
Also in December last year, a journalist was assaulted after a match between Etincelles and Rayon Sport at Umuganda stadium.
On January 20, after a match between Kiyovu Sport and Gasogi United at Bugesera stadium, a section of fans turned rude and abused the match referee.
“Football or sports competitions should be contested in friendly and orderly manner… it is a fair play; any acts of violence and assault is criminal and punishable by law,” Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, the RNP spokesperson, said.
He added that rights of all supporters should be respected.
“Any acts of violence or abuse means that legal actions will be taken.”
In article 121 of the law Nº68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offences and penalties in general; any person who, wilfully, injures, beats or commits any serious violence against another person, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than three years and not more than five years and a fine of not less than Rwf500,000 and not more than Rwf1 million.
