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Tag: Editor’s Choice

  • Authorities urge vigilance as Rwanda tightens Ebola prevention measures

    Authorities urge vigilance as Rwanda tightens Ebola prevention measures

    Speaking during a press briefing on June 6, Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva said Rwanda has strengthened surveillance, prevention and response systems to protect public health while ensuring that economic and social activities continue uninterrupted.

    “The Ebola outbreak continues to be reported in the eastern region of Africa. However, Rwanda has strengthened its prevention measures and monitoring, and we are confident in protecting the lives of our citizens without disrupting economic activities and the normal social life of the population,” he said.

    Nsengiyumva noted that the Ministry of Health and the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) are closely tracking developments in the region and will continue updating the public on preventive measures. He urged citizens to remain vigilant, observe good hygiene practices and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms associated with the disease.

    Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana said Rwanda’s preparedness efforts are anchored on five pillars: public awareness and communication, surveillance, detection capacity, response capability, and human resources.

    He said the country has continued to strengthen systems across all these areas, with a particular focus on prevention and early detection.

    “The goal is prevention; we do not want to be in a situation where we are reacting after the fact,” he said, adding that health authorities closely follow developments in neighbouring countries, particularly in areas near Rwanda’s borders.

    According to Nsanzimana, Rwanda has the capacity to rapidly identify suspected cases, including at border points, with test results often available within six hours. He also highlighted ongoing simulation exercises and training for healthcare workers, emergency responders and communication teams to ensure a coordinated response.

    The current regional outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment, making surveillance, early detection and rapid containment critical to preventing its spread.

    According to recent health data, the Democratic Republic of Congo has reported 452 confirmed cases and at least 82 deaths, while Uganda has recorded 19 confirmed cases and 2 deaths, including infections in Kampala, Wakiso and western border areas. Health authorities say ongoing transmission in neighbouring countries continues to require heightened vigilance across the region.

    Speaking during a press briefing on June 6, Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva said Rwanda has strengthened surveillance, prevention and response systems to protect public health while ensuring that economic and social activities continue uninterrupted.
    Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana (left) said Rwanda’s preparedness efforts are anchored on five pillars: public awareness and communication, surveillance, detection capacity, response capability, and human resources.
  • Govt says, diesel price would have reached Rwf 3,581 Rwf per litre without subsidies

    Govt says, diesel price would have reached Rwf 3,581 Rwf per litre without subsidies

    He made the remarks on Saturday during a press briefing on Rwanda’s economic situation and the impact of ongoing global tensions, particularly in the Middle East, on fuel prices and the wider economy.

    According to the Prime Minister, diesel prices have risen by about Rwf 700 per litre due to increases on the international market. However, he noted that the government continues to cushion consumers through a subsidy that currently covers about 18.26% of the cost.

    He explained that the official price released by RURA already reflects this support.

    “In reality, the market price without subsidy would have been Rwf 3,581 per litre, but it was set at 2,927 Rwf,” he said.

    On June 5, 2026, RURA announced that from June 6, the maximum pump prices would remain at Rwf 2,938 per litre for petrol and Rwf 2,927 for diesel.

    Data shows that fuel prices have risen sharply since March 2026. Petrol has increased by about 47.7%, rising from Rwf 1,989 to Rwf 2,938 per litre, while diesel has gone up by 50.3%, from Rwf 1,948 to Rwf 2,927.

    Diesel has seen a steeper rise between April and June, climbing from Rwf 2,205 to the current price level, while petrol has remained stable since mid-April at Rwf 2,938.

    Dr. Nsengiyumva said the government will continue intervening to limit the impact of rising fuel costs on citizens’ livelihoods.

    The Prime Minister further highlighted that subsidies will continue in key sectors, particularly public transport, to prevent fare increases.

    He gave the example of a trip from Nyabugogo to Musanze, which would cost Rwf 4,281 without subsidies, but currently costs Rwf 3,821, with the government covering the remaining Rwf 460.

    He added that agriculture will also continue to receive support through subsidies on inputs such as fertilizers and irrigation, as part of efforts to shield the sector from global economic pressures.

    Dr. Nsengiyumva said the government will continue intervening to limit the impact of rising fuel costs on citizens’ livelihoods.
  • New UNMISS Force Commander visits Rwandan contingent in South Sudan (Photos)

    New UNMISS Force Commander visits Rwandan contingent in South Sudan (Photos)

    Major General Wu was received by the Rwanbatt-1 Contingent Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Ndushabandi, along with subordinate commanders and staff officers. During the visit, he was briefed on key operations conducted by the contingent in support of civilian protection and force protection for humanitarian assistance activities.

    In his remarks, Major General Wu commended the Rwanbatt-1 troops for their dedication, professionalism, and significant contribution to the UNMISS mandate through their efforts to promote peace, security, and stability in South Sudan.

    As part of the visit, the Force Commander toured the Rwanbatt-1 Camp and participated in a symbolic tree-planting ceremony.

    Maj Gen Junhui Wu participates in a symbolic tree-planting ceremony with Rwandan peacekeepers at UN Tomping Base Camp in Juba.
    UNMISS Force Commander Maj Gen Junhui Wu visits Rwandan peacekeepers (Rwanbatt-1) at Tomping Base Camp in Juba, where he was briefed on ongoing operations in South Sudan.
    Rwanbatt-1 troops welcomed UNMISS Force Commander Maj Gen Junhui Wu at their base in Juba, South Sudan, during an official visit.

  • Dozens arrested in Rwamagana over unauthorized religious gatherings in forest, caves

    Dozens arrested in Rwamagana over unauthorized religious gatherings in forest, caves

    The arrests were made on Friday, June 5, 2026. Of those detained, 46 were found in Kigabiro Sector, Cyanya Cell, inside a forest where worshippers had nicknamed the site “Senga usubizwe” (Pray and be answered).

    Among the 46 were 12 men and 34 women, including 10 nursing mothers. Ten students who were preparing for national examinations were also among those arrested after reportedly skipping school to pray, hoping for good results.

    Another group of 22 people was arrested in Gahengeri Sector, Kagezi Cell, at Samatare rock site. The area had previously been sealed off by authorities using concrete due to safety concerns, but worshippers reportedly broke through the structure to access the site. Five nursing mothers were among those detained.

    The Vice Mayor of Rwamagana in charge of Economic Development, Kagabo Rwamunono Richard, told IGIHE that those arrested were found praying in different illegal locations, with most coming from Rwamagana and others from Kayonza, Nyagatare, and Gatsibo districts.

    “Most of them are from Rwamagana, but others came from Kayonza, Nyagatare, and Gatsibo. These are not authorized worship sites. They are forest areas that pose serious risks to their safety. We also found others at Samatare rock, which we had closed because it is dangerous. It is unfortunate that people choose such places to seek God,” he said.

    He also accused the group of defying government decisions and damaging infrastructure that had been put in place for their protection.

    He cited Samatare cave, where the government reportedly spent over Rwf3 million to secure the site and prevent accidents.

    “Our message is that God is not found in caves or forests, and certainly not in places that endanger lives. The government does not allow such practices. Everyone should use recognized places of worship. Churches are available,” he said.

    Authorities said the arrested individuals are currently undergoing civic education. They also indicated that the suspects may be required to pay for the damaged infrastructure and could face penalties for defying government directives and mobilizing others to do the same.

    In 2024, during the Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda, the Ministry of Health reported that the first patient was believed to have been infected through bats found in a mining cave near Kigali.

    Since then, several cave sites across the country have been closed or reinforced. At Samatare rock, where some of the worshippers were arrested, authorities had previously spent more than Rwf3.3 million reinforcing the site for public safety, before it was damaged again by those accessing it for prayer.

    Of those detained, 46 were found in Kigabiro Sector, Cyanya Cell, inside a forest where worshippers had nicknamed the site “Senga usubizwe” (Pray and be answered).
  • Newly unearthed wartime records expose inner workings of Japan’s poison gas bomb factory

    Newly unearthed wartime records expose inner workings of Japan’s poison gas bomb factory

    The documents were recently uncovered by Seiya Matsuno, a historian and researcher at the International Peace Research Institute of Meiji Gakuin University, in Japan’s National Archives.

    Matsuno said the materials not only provide new evidence about Japan’s wartime production of poison gas munitions but also illustrate the dark reality of a government and military apparatus that placed war above society and human life.

    The newly found document, titled “Compilation of Reports on the Implementation of Military Mobilization,” is a production report covering fiscal 1941 operations at the Sone Manufacturing Plant of the Tokyo Second Army Arsenal.

    Matsuno analyzed the material and published his findings in the June 2026 issue of the Japanese magazine Sekai.

    According to Matsuno’s research, the Sone plant, formerly located in Kitakyushu City in Fukuoka Prefecture, was responsible for filling artillery shells with toxic chemical agents and assembling poison gas bombs. The facility also manufactured smoke shells and incendiary bombs.

    The material documents accidents that occurred during poison gas bomb production and the injuries suffered by workers. Until now, such incidents had largely been known only through testimonies from former employees. The newly discovered records provide documentary evidence supporting those accounts.

    Matsuno told Xinhua that the material also shows how poison gas bomb production expanded alongside Japan’s growing war efforts. During fiscal 1941, the Sone plant increased its workforce and boosted output.

    He noted that, at the time, Japan was continuing its war in China, preparing for a possible conflict with the Soviet Union and planning military expansion into Southeast Asia.

    Matsuno emphasized that the Japanese military’s use of chemical weapons in China and elsewhere violated international law, adding that the military also conducted human experiments and committed other war crimes, which reflected the brutal nature of Japan’s wartime aggression.

    Under the rule of Japanese militarism, the country became increasingly consumed by war fervor.

    Matsuno said that the newly discovered records reveal a period in which the government and military subordinated all aspects of society to the war effort, while dissenting voices were systematically suppressed.

    War brings only suffering and misfortune, Matsuno noted, stressing the importance of uncovering the realities of wartime history to prevent similar tragedies from recurring.

    Understanding how Japan became a country that inflicted serious harm on many Asian nations, and examining the conditions that made such developments possible, remain important tasks for contemporary Japanese society, he added.

    Newly discovered historical records have shed fresh light on the operations of a Japanese poison gas bomb factory during World War II.
  • Two RDF senior officers graduate from Kenya’s Senior Joint Command and Staff College

    Two RDF senior officers graduate from Kenya’s Senior Joint Command and Staff College

    The officers, Lt Col Pacifique Kanyandekwe and Maj John Muhikira, graduated on June 4, 2026, after completing their programme in military leadership and joint command studies.

    According to the Ministry of Defence, their graduation reflects dedication, professionalism, and a strong commitment to military excellence, highlighting Rwanda’s continued focus on strengthening professional military education and regional security cooperation.

    The graduation ceremony brought together senior military officials and representatives from regional defence institutions.

    Among those present were Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga, Director of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), Brig Gen Andrew Nyamvumba, Commandant of the RDF Senior Command and Staff College, and Col Celestin Kamanda, Defence Attaché of Rwanda to Kenya.

    Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga, Director of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), Brig Gen Andrew Nyamvumba, Commandant of the RDF Senior Command and Staff College, and Col Celestin Kamanda, Defence Attaché of Rwanda to Kenya were among those present at the ceremony.
    The officers, Lt Col Pacifique Kanyandekwe and Maj John Muhikira, graduated on June 5, 2026.
  • Putin says he sees no point in personal meeting with Zelensky

    Putin says he sees no point in personal meeting with Zelensky

    Zelensky published a letter on Thursday proposing a face-to-face meeting with Putin, with the participation of Europe and the United States, to discuss the peace process.

    “I don’t see the point yet,” Putin said, answering a question about whether he would meet with the author of the “open letter.”

    He added that he never refused to meet with Zelensky, but is against “beating around the bush.”

    Putin said Russia does not need short-term agreements, but rather ones “for a long historical perspective” and solutions in place before such a meeting can take place.

    Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that Zelensky can come to Moscow any time if he wishes to hold talks with Putin.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin is pictured at a meeting with heads of major international news agencies attending the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), in St. Petersburg, Russia, on June 4, 2026. Photo by Xinhua/Hao Jianwei
  • UN honors fallen peacekeepers

    UN honors fallen peacekeepers

    “Across the globe, the UN Blue Helmet is a symbol of hope for communities in their darkest hour,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in remarks at the ceremonies to present the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal, the Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage, and the UN Woman Police Officer of the Year and UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year awards, after laying a wreath at the Peacekeepers Memorial on the North Lawn of the UN headquarters in New York.

    Underscoring that UN peacekeeping has proven to be one of the international community’s most effective responses to conflict, Guterres said the peacekeepers “are curbing violence, enabling political solutions, supporting elections, delivering humanitarian assistance, clearing landmines, and so much more.”

    “They do so in the face of acute danger, displaying levels of bravery and initiative that stir the heart,” said the UN chief, adding that “we pay the highest tribute to their service and sacrifice.”

    The secretary-general bestowed the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal on 68 peacekeepers from 33 nations, including 59 killed last year. “They represent the best of humanity — people prepared to risk everything to keep others safe,” he said.

    Two peacekeepers were honored for their bravery, receiving the Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage — the late Sergii Prykhodko of Ukraine, and Matias Reyes of Uruguay.

    Abhilasha Barak of India, deployed with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, received the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year award, and Stephanie Königs of Germany, who served at the UN Mission in South Sudan, received the UN Woman Police Officer of the Year award.

    According to the United Nations, currently more than 51,000 civilians, military and police personnel are employed across the globe in 11 UN peacekeeping missions, and over the 78 years since the United Nations began its peacekeeping work, more than 2 million peacekeepers have served in 71 peacekeeping missions on four continents.

    The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in 2003 to designate May 29 as the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.

    Guterres said the peacekeepers “are curbing violence, enabling political solutions, supporting elections, delivering humanitarian assistance, clearing landmines, and so much more.”
  • Rwanda reacts to Rubio remarks on Washington Accords, condemns DRC’s continued support to FDLR

    Rwanda reacts to Rubio remarks on Washington Accords, condemns DRC’s continued support to FDLR

    In a statement issued on June 5, Rwanda responded to remarks made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on June 4.

    Kigali noted Rubio’s acknowledgment that Rwanda is meeting its commitments and welcomed the continued engagement of the United States in efforts to address insecurity in eastern DRC.

    According to the statement, the Washington Accords remain the key framework for tackling the root causes of conflict in the region.

    However, Rwanda emphasized that the agreement places obligations on both parties and cannot be implemented selectively.

    “The Accords cannot be implemented selectively, nor can obligations to be fulfilled by one party be separated from those to be fulfilled by the other,” the statement said, adding that regional challenges cannot be resolved through partial approaches.

    Rwanda maintained that it is implementing its commitments under the agreement while accusing the DRC of violating its own obligations.

    The government cited what it described as continued state support by the DRC for the FDLR terrorist group linked to perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Rwanda said the militia has operated from Congolese territory for three decades and continues to pose a direct threat to its security.

    Kigali also raised concerns over what it described as the continued use of armed drones in civilian areas.

    Despite the concerns, Rwanda reiterated its commitment to the Washington Accords and said it remains ready to work with the United States, regional partners and other stakeholders to promote peace, security and economic development in the Great Lakes region.

    The statement comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts led by the United States and regional actors to ease tensions and support lasting stability in eastern DRC.

    The agreements signed by both parties include provisions for the dismantling of the terrorist FDLR group by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC). Once this is achieved, Rwanda is expected to lift its defensive measures. The accord also includes the repatriation of refugees.

    In terms of infrastructure, Rwanda and the DRC are expected to strengthen cooperation in the construction of the Rusizi III hydropower dam, which is projected to generate 206 megawatts of electricity and supply power to more than 300,000 people. The project is expected to be completed by 2030 at a cost of $800 million.

    The agreement also covers the mining sector, where Rwanda and the DRC are expected to move beyond extraction toward local processing, in order to maximize benefits for citizens in the region. It further provides for the establishment of harmonized regulations governing the security of mineral trade.

    The Washington Accords also stipulate that the two countries will collaborate in the extraction and processing of methane gas from Lake Kivu for electricity generation.

    The Government of Rwanda maintains that both countries have significant opportunities for economic gain that could help prevent future conflicts.

    The Government of Rwanda has reaffirmed its commitment to the Washington Accords and condemned DRC’s continued support to FDLR.
  • Diesel price rises by Rwf722 in Rwanda

    Diesel price rises by Rwf722 in Rwanda

    Under the revised prices, a litre of petrol will continue to retail at Rwf2,938, while a litre of diesel has increased from Rwf2,205 to Rwf2,927, representing a rise of Rwf722 per litre.

    The new prices were announced on June 5 and will take effect from June 6, 2026, at midnight.
    The previous fuel price adjustment was made on April 16, 2026.

    In a statement, RURA said the latest revision reflects developments on the international market while taking into account government measures aimed at maintaining stability in the petroleum sector and limiting the impact on the economy and consumers.

    ” Government interventions have helped moderate the increase in pump prices, keeping them below the level that would result from market conditions alone. This support is intended to cushion transport and freight services and reduces broader economic impact,” the statement reads.

    The regulator also confirmed that fares for public transport services will remain unchanged.

    “Public transport fares will remain unchanged. Government support measures will continue to assist public transport operators in managing high fuel costs and ensure affordable transport services for commuters,” RURA stated.

    The authority added that it will continue monitoring developments in international and regional petroleum markets, while ensuring the reliable supply and distribution of fuel across the country.

    The sharp increase in global fuel prices has largely been attributed to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which began three months ago.

    The conflict has disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route through which about 20 percent of the world’s daily petroleum supply passes.

    As of June 5, 2026, a barrel of crude oil was reportedly trading between $94 and $95.

    Diesel price in Rwanda has gone up by Rwf722.