Uganda’s Immigration and Emigration officers dumped these Rwandans at Kagitumba border in Nyagatare district, Eastern Province yesterday around 8pm.
These Rwandans include Michael Matabaro, Tresor Hirwa, David Rukundo, Patrick Rugema and Muhammed Ndaheranwa.
They were released after months of torture in Uganda’s prisons accused of being Rwanda’s spies.
Matabaro, 58, is a son of Uwimana John and Mukaruzajye Elizabeth. The man lived in Kayonza district before legally crossing to Uganda in 2016 to install in Kyenkwanzi county where he had business.
Matabaro was arrested by Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) on 24th January 2021 accused of being ADEPR follower.
His colleague Hirwa, 30, hailing from Gasabo district arrived in Uganda in 2017. He crossed through Cyanika border and installed in Uganda where he traded clothes and shoes. He was arrested on 22nd September 2020 accused of illegally staying in Uganda.
Rukundo David, 25, hailing from Nyagatare district is another Rwandan dumped at the border.
He went to Kenya through Uganda in January 2020. Rukundo was arrested nearby Busia border on 19th January 2021 returning to Uganda.
Security officials asked him to bail out his release which he denied. Rukundo was detained for three days before he was transferred at CMI camp in Mbuya.
He was accused of crimes including espionage and illegal entry to Uganda.
Uganda has also expelled Patrick Rugema, 22, hailing from Muhanga district. In December 2019, he went to Kenya through Tanzania to visit a relative. He was arrested in Uganda in September 2020.
He was accused of being Rwanda’s spy and detained five days. As he prepared to return to Rwanda, he was arrested again and detained at Mbarara military camp from where he was transferred to CMI.
Muhammed Mudaheranwa, 25, is another Rwandan who went to Uganda in 2018 through Bunagana border in DRC.
He was arrested on 23rf September 2020 and detained in CMI prison in Mbuya accused of espionage too.
As these Rwandans arrived last night, they were tested for COVID-19 and got negative results.
More Rwandans including a woman in critical condition tortured by Uganda’s CMI were deported on 3rd February 2021.
Abduction of Rwandans living or traveling through Uganda is linked to CMI’s close collaboration with Rwanda National Congress (RNC), a rebel group against the Government of Rwanda led by Kayumba Nyamwasa with intentions to destabilize Rwanda’s security.
Through the cooperation, Rwandans on Uganda’s land denying cooperation with the rebel group are arrested; tortured in CMI prisons while others are taken in Minembwe of DRC to be tortured.
Uganda has been arresting Rwandans since 2017 in different operations. The Government of Rwanda has since 2017 been condemning such arbitrary detentions and advised Rwandans not to travel to Uganda in March 2019.
Later on, Angola launched discussions to mend Rwanda, Uganda relations which led to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in Angola, Luanda known as Luanda Agreement in 2019.
The memorandum was signed on August 21st 2019 in a bid to solve conflicts between Rwanda and Uganda.
Despite efforts to sign the agreement between both heads of state. CMI continues arbitrary detention of Rwandans who endure torture in its facilities.
The Office of the Presidency has revealed that these leaders came to Rwanda to support ongoing COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
“The President of the European Council, Charles Michel; OIF Secretary General, Louise Mushikiwabo and European Union parliamentarian, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou are in Rwanda to support the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination campaign with vaccines obtained through COVAX and to advocate for international collaboration for equitable access to vaccines,” reads the tweet.
Following the visit, President Kagame said that he had fruitful discussions with Charles Michel.
“We had a productive meeting with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. We appreciate his commitment to strengthening Africa-Europe ties, including with the private sector. We look forward to collaborating on equitable access to vaccines & improved management of current & future pandemics,” he said via Twitter handle.
The delegation met with Kagame few hours after visiting Mayange Health Center in Bugesera district where they witnessed the inoculation of the inoculation of first anti-COVID-19 vaccines brought by COVAX.
COVAX, is a global initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.
They were accompanied by the Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta.
The exercise saw health workers, teachers and people in advanced ages vaccinated.
As he visited the health center, Charles Michel thanked Rwanda’s efforts to quickly deliver vaccines to people and commended efficient vaccines administration facilitated by embraced technology.
He said that these efforts highlight Rwanda’s efficient responsiveness in the fight against Coronavirus and assured that the European Union continues to advocate for increased vaccines production for equitable distribution.
The vaccines administered in Rwanda include 240,000 AstraZeneca and 102 960 Pfizer-BioNTech doses distributed through COVAX as well as 50,000 AstraZeneca doses donated by India last week.
As the first shipment of vaccines arrived in Rwanda last week, President Kagame used his Twitter handle to commend the milestone enabling African countries including Rwanda to roll out vaccinations widely.
“It’s been long wait, some better prepared and more ready.. not to mention some ‘more equal than others’ But certainly all of us in urgent need. Now good news to see COVID-19 vaccines arrive in Africa starting with Ghana…this morning in Rwanda and more. Thanks COVAX,” he said.
The European Union is one of the main contributors to COVAX, the international solidarity initiative with recent contribution totaling Euros 500 million.
As of today, Rwanda has vaccinated approximately 200,000 people within three days.
Four people, including the drivers (Tanzanian nationals) and two suspected rightful owners of the smuggled goods, who were aboard the trailers coming from the Democratic Republic of Congo, were also arrested.
The operation was conducted by the Revenue Protection unit (RPU) and Rusizi District Police Unit (DPU).
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said this was a “targeted operation facilitated by credible information from a member of the public privy to the act of fraud.”
“We had information about foreign registered vehicles that after unloading good in DRC, they are hired by the Rwandan smugglers to transport their goods across the border. In most cases, these smuggled are destined to Kigali,” said CIP Karekezi.
He added: “Following information that these two trailers, which had just crossed into Rwanda, had smuggled goods, RPU and Rusizi DPU worked together to mount a roadblock in Byumvangoma Village, Giheke Cell in Giheke Sector where they were stopped, search and recovered the 258 rolls of electric cables and 10 boxes of banned skin bleaching lotions and oils. The drivers and the two Rwandan owners of the smuggled goods identified as Sylvestre Nsabimana and Daniel Bahore were taken into custody.”
The electric cables, he said, belonged to Nsabimana while the outlawed skin whitening products in ten different types, were owned by Bahore. They were being transported to Kigali.
At least 205 rolls of electric cables are substandard and banned in Rwanda.
Under the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods and the vehicle, under article 199, are auctioned while the driver is fined of US$ 5000.
Article 266 of the law relating to offences and penalties in general, states that “any person, who produces, sells or prescribes the following prohibited substances: a drug; harmful products; cosmetics or body hygiene substances any other products derived from plants; commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than two years and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.”
They were arrested on Friday, March 5, in operations conducted in Kimisagara and Rwezamenyo sectors by the Anti-Smuggling and Revenue Protection units.
The joint operation targeted “renowned smugglers” after a tip-off from residents.
According to RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, two of the suspects, namely; Eduard Niyondamya, 36, and Console Uwanyirigira, 32, were arrested at Kimisagara market with eight bales of smuggled second-hands.
Two others; Yassin Nshimiyimana, 29, and Emmanuel Sikubwabo, 41, were arrested later in Rwezamenyo with 12 bales.
The last bunch of 12 smuggled bales were recovered from the house of Nshimiyimana.
“Suspected smugglers were arrested in separate hours after a resident alerted the police about the coordinated fraud,” CP Kabera said.
He added: “Police officers attached to the Anti-smuggling and Revenue protection units worked together and first apprehended Niyondamya and Uwanyirigira, who were found unloading eight bales of Caguwa from the car at the Kimisagara market.”
Later on, CP Kabera said, officers attached to the Anti-Smuggling unit intercepted recovered other 12 bales from Nshimiyimana’s house in Rwezamenyo Sector, where he was also arrested alongside Sikubwabo.
Meanwhile, efforts by Sikubwabo to bribe the Police officers to bail their way out hit a dead end as he will also face the same attempted crime of bribery, according to the spokesperson.
Law enforcement organs are also still searching for the suspected ringleader of the group identified as Enock Kayiranga, who managed to flee during the operation.
CP Kabera warned the business community against all sorts of unlawful acts including smuggling and tax evasion.
He warned that Police is now aware of the tricks and means used by smugglers and thanked members of the public, who facilitated such successful operations against fraud.
“Most smuggled second-hand clothes come from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Local smugglers establish contacts in the neighboring country, their partners send the products through Lake Kivu and other porous borders in Rubavu and Rusizi districts.The suspects usually ferry their smuggled goods to Kigali in sacks of fruits to dodge taxes,” CP Kabera disclosed.
Seized goods and the suspected smugglers were handed over to RPU for further management.
{{Tax fraud}}
A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax. With exception to that penalty, the Tax Administration refers the case to the Prosecution service if the taxpayer voluntarily evaded such tax. In case of conviction, the taxpayer can be imprisoned for a period between six months and two years.
Under the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods under article 199, are auctioned.
The deceased is a 69-year old woman from Kigali city.
The Ministry has also revealed that 198,453 people have been vaccinated within three days since the program was rolled out countrywide on Friday 5th March 2021.
Last week, Rwanda has received 397,000 vaccines in three shipments including 102,960 Pfizer doses, 240000 AstraZeneca doses distributed through COVAX initiative facilitating equal distribution of vaccines in developing countries as well as more 50,000 AstraZeneca vaccine donations from the Government of India.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2021. Since then, 19,551 have been tested positive out of 1,037,604 sample tests of whom 17,840 have recovered, 1443 are active cases, 268 have succumbed to the virus while 12 are critically ill.
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 incident took place today around 10am in Sata village, Karubungo cell, Gitoki sector.
It is said that a large stone brusquely fell on the man’s head and died immediately.
The executive secretary of Gitoki sector, Mushumba John has told IGIHE that the stone fell as the man was on daily mining activities.
“The deceased was a resident working with CMK Company extracting minerals in Karubungo cell. He was along with other colleagues at work when the accident happened,” he said.
“They usually employ methods to examine the mining site before extraction. The company is licensed to carry out mining activities. What happened is an accident because it happened in a place where he stood alone. His colleagues are safe,” added Mushumba.
Preparations to take the body to health facility for postmortem were underway by press time.
During trial proceedings, Ntigurirwa pleaded guilty of having killed his wife Uwimana Florence but denied to have used a hoe to kill the wife as alleged.
The latter has claimed to have killed the wife accidentally with a stick and requested for a lenient punishment.
The crime was committed in the night of 4th February 2021.
The ruling was read in absentia of the accused yesterday at the court’s headquarters of Muhanga Intermediary Court.
The presiding judge, Kankindi Olive cited three reasons pinning the suspect.
The fact that the suspect pleaded guilty for murder without explaining how the crime was committed, she said, doesn’t allow Ntigurirwa a lenient punishment.
Among others, Kankindi said that the severity of the crime and related consequences when he killed wife, and having planned to kill wife with a hoe which he hit on the wife’s head several times pins Ntigurirwa.
Ntigurirwa who has been detained at Kamonyi Police station is set to be taken to Muhanga Prison to serve his life sentence.
He was giving testimonies yesterday as Rusesabagina and co-accused suspects facing terrorism charges appeared in the High Court Special Chamber for International and Cross-border crimes at the ongoing trial.
Born on 17th June 1976, Niyomwungere is a son of Nzubugize François and Iyamuremye Beathe. He lives in Commune Forest, Brussels city in Belgium but travels to Rwanda often for work purposes.
Rusesabagina faces nine counts linked to terrorism, and he is co-accused with other 20 individuals who were allegedly involved in terror attacks that took place between 2018 and 2019 and claimed nine lives.
Rusesabagina claimed he was kidnapped that he should only face charges of arriving in Rwanda illegally.
This prompted the prosecution to request the court to allow Niyomwungere to provide testimonies showing how Rusesabagina was not abducted but tricked by his trusted friend until he arrived in Rwanda.
Bishop Niyomwungere started explaining how he met with Rusesabagina and the reason that pushed to bring him to Rwanda.
He said that they knew each other in 2017 connected by a friend when he was in Belgium.
“I was linked by a friend to Paul Rusesabagina for the first time. I met with him [Rusesabagina], and told me the reason why he wanted us to interact. Paul talked to me about his personal issues, took me through his project, told me that he is the President of MRCD political party against the Government of Rwanda with an affiliated militia group called FLN,” he said.
“After discussing, he said, I have been told that you are a Bishop operating in Great Lakes Region. You can help me to liaise with Burundi leaders. I want their support,” added Niyomwungere.
As he narrated, Niyomwungere told Rusesabagina that he was not able do it but promised to link him to another person. He later linked him with a person from the embassy.
“Few days later, I continued to chat with Rusesabagina on WatsApp or interacted via phone calls. I also visited him two times,” he said.
In 2018, Niyomwungere got information from newspapers and BBC that FLN was behind some people’s deaths.
“I texted Paul asking him if those who killed people belong to his group. He accepted. I felt shocked as a Bishop for having interacted with such a person. I didn’t immediately accept what he said and called him again. Did you tell me that your people are the ones behind the killings?”
“Bishop,that is not the major concern. I am only worried to see Sankara claiming the group’s responsibility for the killings. He told me that they should keep quiet after these killings and announce on social media, if necessary, that Rwandas’ leaders are behind it,” said Niyomwungere.
The Bishop went to explain that he started distancing himself away from Rusesabagina after learning about his acts.
“The word that shocked until today is that it was the first time to ask a person if he killed people and reply yes. That got me nervous as a pitiful Bishop with a mission to spread the Gospel not to support such intentions,” he said.
Niyomwungere said he was extremely moved on and wondered why God allow him to meet with such a person who is not worried of having killed people.
{{Cooperating with RIB }}
Towards the end of 2019, Niyomwungere came to Rwanda during festive seasons and was called by unknown person as he planned to return in February 2020.
“I received a telephone call as I prepared to return. The person introduced himself to me with his names but didn’t tell me that he works with Rwanda Investigation Bureau [RIB]. He said that he wanted me to carry his message in Belgium. I have a friend there and I have learnt that you are about to return. Would you please delivery what I want to send him?”
“He begged me to come and pick what he wanted to send promising me it won’t take long. I told the driver to go there to pick an item someone wants to send to Bruxelles. Arriving there, the person showed me his service card and asked me to go with him. I found myself at RIB,” said Niyomwungere.
The Bishop said he was interrogated and shown evidences that he interacts with Rusesabagina, told that he is suspected of working with terror groups, asked him how he met with Rusesabagina and signed a statement.
Five days later, RIB staff called Michel asked Niyomwungere what he plans to do if released, and promised not to speak to Rusesabagina.
“Going back a little bit, RIB had shown me orphaned children and saw burnt cars due to Rusesabagina’s acts and felt unhappy extremely for having met such a person. Few days later, Rusesabagina told me that he wanted to travel to Burundi,” he said.
{{Bringing Rusesabagina to Kigali }}
Niyomwungere told the court that RIB never asked him to bring Rusesabagina to Rwanda but was arrested to explain his connections with terror groups.
When RIB asked Niyomwugere what he could do when released, he said: “If you set me free, I will immediately stop interacting with Rusesabagina. He told me that I should not do so and advised me to follow up him so that you can alert us if something unusual happens again. I accepted but told them that it is not easy. Since then, I started following him up day and night but my heart was chagrined.”
When Michel allowed Niyomwungere to escort Rusesabagina to Burundi, the Bishop asked how he could help RIB to bring Rusesabagina to Kigali.
“I texted him that it is difficult to do so. That’s when I told him a word that I cannot deny: ‘Michel, why can’t I make possible efforts, please accept that and help me […] Isn’t there something I can do leading to his arrest to face justice’.”
“ I am the one who introduced the idea concerning how Rusesabagina can be brought. He told me ‘why Bishop?’ I told him that my heart shocked, that I never sleep nor eat since I learnt about his acts. I always see images of crying orphaned children,” said Niyomwungere.
“Michel asked me what I think should be done. I told him that I want to do the right thing because a man would rather be a tomb than being a dog. He asked me ‘will you manage to do it alone?’”
At the time, Niyomwungere accepted that he will be able to do it but asked Michel to provide possible support.
Since then, Niyomwungere asked Rusesabagina when he plans to go to Burundi but the latter said he has difficulties of how he will arrive in the country because he would be arrested by using ordinary planes.
Niyomwungere talked to Michel again giving updates of Rusesabagina’s challenges. Michel pledged to cater for private jet ticket.
Niyomwungere later tricked Rusesabagina that Burundi leaders accepted to facilitate the aircraft that will take him to Burundi.
Since then, he started planning how to bring Rusesabagina to Kigali given that the jet was available. The latter denied passage through Europe fearing his arrest and requested his advisor to take off from Dubai where he had traveled for several times previously.
Niyomwungere who was in Kenya immediately went to Dubai to wait for Rusesabagina. He explained that they took off the same day Rusesabagina arrived in Dubai where they flew with the booked private jet to Rwanda instead of Burundi as Rusesabagina expected.
Rusesabagina was not aware but had trusted his friends that he didn’t follow up all details believing the jet cost was catered for by Burundi.
After boarding the jet, Niyomwungere tricked Rusesabagina to sit in a place where he could not see the destination on screen.
Realizing that the flight crew was about informing passengers on the flight route and destination, Niyomwungere said that he immediately started interactions with Rusesabagina and distracted him lest he hears the destination.
As he explained, Niyomwungere again was worried when Rusesabagina asked a flight attendant how many hours it takes to reach Bujumbura.
Fortunately, Niyomwungere said, the lady was not straight to the point and explained hours of flight to different cities in East Africa.
Niyomwungere said that Rusesabagina was tired that time and fell asleep immediately.
“I told him aren’t you tired? I advised him that we should sleep and asked the lady to switch off lights but I was not stupid to sleep. I kept my eyes open. Shortly before landing, they told us that we are about reaching Kigali. I looked at Rusesabagina and found he was still asleep,” he narrated.
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, Rusesabagina found himself with RIB staff including Michel waiting for him and took him in a different car with Niyomwungere’s.
“That is when I last saw Rusesabagina after arriving in Rwanda,” said Niyomwungere.
Rwanda began vaccination program countrywide yesterday, two days after receiving two batches of Coronavirus vaccines manufactured by AstraZeneca and Pfizer.
RCS has via Twitter handle revealed that the vaccination program will continue in prisons this Saturday.
“As part of the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination exercise, Rwanda Correctional Service in partnership with the Ministry of Health will on Saturday begin vaccinating inmates in high-risk categories based on age, disability and pre-existing health conditions,” said RCS.
Rwanda’s prisons have been recording new infections among inmates for quite some time. Several preventive measures were taken like putting infected persons in quarantine, wearing face masks, washing hands and respecting social distancing.
The vaccination program is expected to add up to national efforts to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
Rwanda plans to vaccinate 60% of the population by June 2022.
Countrywide vaccination started few hours after receiving three batches of vaccines including AstraZeneca and Pfizer types.
In general, vaccines were administered at 45 hospitals and over 500 health centers starting with health workers, elders above 65, community health workers, security forces and people with chronic diseases like blood pressure, diabetes among others.
The Ministry of Health has announced that the vaccination exercise continues this Saturday.
2,051 of vaccinated people are from Kigali city, 15,007 are from Northern Province, and 21,812 are from Southern Province, 20, 072 from Eastern Province while 16,114 people have been vaccinated in Western Province.
The statement released yesterday shows that a 40-year old man from Kigali died of Coronavirus bringing death toll to 267.
Among others, 92 new cases have been found out of 4534 sample tests while 69 recovered.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 19426 people have been tested positive out of 1,029,747 sample tests of whom 17751 have recovered, 1418 are active cases while 11 people are critically ill.
Despite the commencement of vaccination program, Rwandans are advised to continue adhering to instituted preventive measures.
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.
So far, Rwanda has received 397,000 vaccines in three shipments including 102,960 Pfizer doses, 240000 AstraZeneca doses distributed through COVAX initiative facilitating equal distribution of vaccines in developing countries as well as more 50,000 AstraZeneca vaccine donations from the Government of India.
Rwanda targets to vaccinate 60% of the population before the end of 2022.
Discussions with other countries, manufacturers and various partners are ongoing to acquire enough vaccines.
