Kagame sent best wishes for festive season via Twitter handle on Christmas Eve, 24th December 2021 and shared pictures with two dogs.
“My Family and I wish You All a Very Happy Festive Season! Got a good start to my own….!! Love them..,” he tweeted.
Rwandans are celebrating end of year festive season for the second time during COVID-19 pandemic.
As he officiated the swearing-in of the recently appointed Minister of Interior, Alfred Gasana on 13th December 2021, President Kagame highlighted that the country has made commendable progress in fighting Covid-19 pandemic including vaccinating a big number of its population and reducing positive cases.
He however stressed the need to strengthen preventive measures as the festive season began to unfold considering that fact that the pandemic has not yet been defeated. He said that the Ministry of Interior has a role to play as the country seeks to enhance response to the pandemic.
“When people meet in big numbers to socialize, they fail to respect the established preventive measures properly. The Ministry of Interior is also part of our lead institutions in fighting this pandemic, working together with the Ministry of Health as well as the Ministry for Local Government,” Kagame noted.
Rwandans are urged to continue adhering to instituted preventive measures to contain the spread of the virus.
The objective of this project is to support Rwanda’s short-run and long-term recovery from the pandemic and resilience to future pandemics by increasing access to broadband and selected digital public services, and strengthening the digital innovation ecosystem. The project has four main components namely Digital Access and Inclusion; Digital public service delivery; Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship; and Project Management.
Commenting on the development, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana said: “The project will complement Government of Rwanda’s efforts in recovery and resilience to and post covid-19 pandemic and in implementing the National Strategy for Transformation, with a focus on the priority to establish Rwanda as a globally competitive knowledge-based economy”.
“This marks the first digital acceleration investment, the bank is making in sub-Saharan Africa. It is also the second project we are funding in region and both happen to be in Rwanda. We believe that these are first steps towards long term development relationship between Rwanda and the Bank,” AIIB’s Director General of the Banking Department, Mr. Najeeb Haider said
The Minister of ICT and Innovation Paula Musoni said that the additional financial support from AIIB into the Rwanda Digital Acceleration Project is an encouraging step towards realizing Rwanda’s vision to become a digital economy.
“While we are already cashing in on past investments in ICT and leveraging existing digital infrastructure, this financing agreement is a timely commitment that will allow us to further develop our broadband market and enhance Rwanda’s digital innovation ecosystem,” he said.
Rwanda became a member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank a year ago and has so far accessed financing worth US$ 200 to fund two key projects which include Finance for Recovery and Resilience (the Economic Recovery Fund and the just signed Rwanda Digital Acceleration Project, which are co-funded by World Bank.
Among others, 12 percent of the entire workforce was in the tourism sector directly and indirectly while more than US$60 million was earned from Meetings Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE).
As COVID-19 emerged in 2020, the tourism was among most hit hard sectors where revenues dropped to about US$121 million while revenues from MICE shrank to US$4 million. However, the year 2021 gives optimism for the situation to return to normal.
From January until November 2021, Rwanda earned US$134 million from tourism, translating into 19% growth compared to last year.
As at November 2021, arrivals at the airport also increased by 36% in 2021 compared to last year. MICE also increased by 50% this year.
Restaurants and hotels have not been left behind economic recovery where they have registered 62% and 32% in economic growth respectively.
Appearing in televised discussions on the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism and hospitality sector, the CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Clare Akamanzi has explained that the figures reflect how the sector is on the right path of recovery.
“If you compare with 2019 figures as the best year we have had ever, we are still not where we want to be but I think we are beginning to see signs that we are progressing well. The future is promising, Visit Rwanda continues to be a strong brand, on dairies of a lot of people who want to come and visit and continue to showcase the country to the world,” she said.
The General Manager of Onomo Hotel, Emile Nizey has observed that the economic growth was higher than expected in 2021.
As part of efforts to revive the tourism sector adversely hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, Rwanda slashed gorilla trekking fees by between 86% for Rwandans and 67% for foreigner living in Rwanda.
Before the discount, gorilla trekking fees was US$1500 set in 2018 up from US$750.
Today, Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park costs foreign nationals $500, Rwandan citizens and foreign residents pay $200 while international visitors on chartered flights pay $1,500.
{{Why Rwanda removed three-day quarantine for specific visitors}}
The new guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 Omicron variant which is believed to spread faster obliges all arriving passengers to undergo three-day quarantine at designated hotels. The CEO of RDB, Akamanzi has however explained that the directive doesn’t concern everyone.
“When we announced our new regulations recently, we exempted tourists that are visiting national parks from three-day quarantine. It is not all tourists. I think it clear that it only concerns tourists visiting national parks.That is not all international tourists. There are many tourists coming to Rwanda for business dealings, conferences and visiting families. All those are categorized as tourists,” she said.
“The one that we are exempting from the quarantine is only a small segment of tourists visiting national parks. And why did we do that? This whole exercise of managing the economy in the pandemic context has required a very difficult, complex but continuous balancing effect.
You are balancing managing the health, making sure that you are really curbing down the spread of the pandemic but also want to encourage in a safe way as much economic activity as you can because we need the economy to run, we need lives but also livelihoods, “added Akamanzi.
Akamanzi explained that tourists visiting national parks have the least health risks which she attributed to different reasons.
“First of all, they are very few. Out of 500,000 people that visited Rwanda last year and 1.6 million visitors in 2019, only less than 20,000 visited gorillas. It is a very small number. If you look at those who visited national parks in Nyungwe and Akagera , it is about 6,000 in total ,” she revealed.
With Omicron variant, Akamanzi said that it is expected to be a small number.
Moreover, she explained that many of them are fully vaccinated or have even received the booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
“Secondly, the survey that we have done shows that many of them are not just fully vaccinated but they also received the booster shot. You will find the demographic of the people that are coming to see our national parks, is usually middle to a little bit elder categories. These are people that will make sure they are fully vaccinated before their travel and have even the booster shots. So, the risk of contracting of spreading is a lot lower,” she revealed.
Akamanzi explained that the third reason is to revive the economy considering the fact that the small number attracts huge revenues than other travelers.
On average, Akamanzi underscored that a business tourist spends about US$200, a conference tourist spends about US$300 per day while a tourist visiting gorillas spends US$1300 a day which might reach US$6000 in one trip.
“You can achieve the economic input with few people and less health risks with this category of people compared to bigger numbers,” she said.
Despite the removal of the quarantine for the segment of visitors, COVID-19 test is mandatory where are required to go for PCR test on the first, third and seventh day of their stay in Rwanda.
Ruvebana held the position from 2012 to 2017 when he was replaced by Olivier Kayumba.
The Spokesperson of Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Dr. Murangira B. Thierry has confirmed to IGIHE that the suspect accused of raping girls is detained at Kicukiro RIB Post.
One of lawyers familiar with the case has told IGIHE that his files might have been transferred to the Prosecution but the Spokesperson of National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA) revealed that he has no track of it.
It is said that Ruvebana was arrested on 11th December 2021.
IGIHE has learnt from credible sources that Ruvebana was involved in different rape incidences and defilement, which he is suspected to have committed many years ago where he used to seduce girls with different gifts including clothes to win their hearts.
A witness has told IGIHE that Ruvebana also raped girls when he worked at Rwanda’s embassy in Switzerland in 2006. The witness revealed that victims did not narrate their ordeal lest it would tarnish their image.
According to sources, all the victims were raped between 2003 and 2006.
After presenting credentials, Amb. Mukangira pledged to promote bilateral relations.
“It was a great honour to present my Letters of Credence to His Excellency
Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the President of Sri Lanka. I commit to strengthening the bilateral relations between our countries and bringing them to greater heights,” she revealed via Twitter handle.
Recently on 10th December 2021, Amb. Mukangira presented her Letters of Credence to Bidya Devi Bhandari, the President of Nepal.
During the ceremony, the President of Nepal gave her a warm welcome, commended Rwanda’s contribution to the United Nation’s peacekeeping mission and hailed the country’s’ inclusive policies placing women in top decision making positions.
The summit was preceded by the 45th extraordinary meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers.
The summit left regional presidents giving consent for the conclusion of negotiations that will see the Democratic Republic of Congo join the East African Community (EAC).
“The summit directed the Council to expeditiously commence and conclude negotiations with the DRC for admission to the East African Community and report to the next summit,” reads part of a communique released after the meeting.
The Heads of State also directed the EAC Secretariat to make a report on proposals to amend sections of the EAC Treaty that deal with the quorum at meetings.
“The summit considered the proposal to amend rule 11 of the rules of procedure for the summit of the heads of state or government and directed the Secretariat to convene an extraordinary meeting of the sectoral council on legal and judicial affairs to deliberate and advise on this proposal for consideration by the next summit which shall consider and conclude on this matter.”
The DRC applied for admission into East African Community in June 2019.
Today’s meeting, led by EAC Chair President Uhuru Kenyatta also observed a moment of silence in honour of former Tanzania President John Magafuli, who died in March 2021.
Other Heads of State present at the summit include; Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Samia Suluhu (Tanzania), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda).
Burundi was represented by Vice President Prosper Bazombanza, Deng Kuol (also Minister of EAC Affairs) represented South Sudan.
Kagame met with his counterpart in Paris on Monday 20th December 2021 following his counterpart’s maiden visit to Rwanda in May 2021.
On his visit to Rwanda, Macron visited Kigali Genocide Memorial where he paid tribute to over 250,000 victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and admitted his country’s responsibility during the Genocide.
He also participated in a joint press conference with his host, President Paul Kagame, visited Tumba College of Technology where a Department of Mechatronics will be set up through a partnership with French Agency for Development (AFD).
On the same day, Macron visited Gikondo Health Center before officiating the launch of French Cultural Center located near Kigali Convention Center, Kimihurura Sector, Gasabo District.
On Thursday night, Macron and Kagame watched quarter-finals of the inaugural season of Basketball Africa League (BAL) during which Patriots BBC representing Rwanda beat Ferroviário de Maputo representing Mozambique 73-71 at Kigali Arena.
Among others, his visit left various agreements signed between both countries. The pacts include a framework for bilateral cooperation signed between French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian and Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vincent Biruta.
The two countries signed an agreement for sports and talent development which saw Rwanda receiving €1.5 million (approximately Rwf1.84 billion) for sport and talent development.
Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana also signed a Euro 60 million financing agreement with Rémy Rioux the Director-General of French Agency for Development (AFD).
His coming to Rwanda is considered a major milestone to turning a new page for both countries relations blurred by France’s failure to admit its role during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Rwanda, France diplomatic relations date back in 1962 after obtaining Independence.
The new measures announced through a communiqué released by the Office of Prime Minister, follow the upsurge in COVID-19 cases particularly in the City of Kigali.
Among others, wedding related receptions are prohibited while traditional, civil and religious weddings should not exceed 40 persons.
The communiqué also reads that public transport will continue with buses operating at full capacity with seated passengers only. It is recommended that windows remain opened for proper ventilation.
For public transport to and from the City of Kigali, bus operators must ensure that all passengers are vaccinated.
Bars will continue to resume gradually, in adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and will operate with 50% occupancy limit.
All services held at places of worship should not exceed 30% maximum occupancy while attendees must be fully vaccinated.
The council was scheduled on 22nd December 2021 at Kigali Convention Centre.
The decision follows the confirmation of new COVID-19 variant dubbed ‘Omicron’ and strict measures implemented to contain the spread of the virus.
As per current directives, movements are prohibited from 10p.m to 4a.m while all businesses must close by 9p.m.
Physical meetings are allowed to continue without exceeding 50% occupancy while participants are urged to present negative COVID-19 test results.
Two days following the release of new directives on 17th December 2021, Rwanda confirmed 383 new COVID-19 cases including 283 from Kigali City.
On 18th December, the Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije attributed the rise in cases to Omicron variant noting that the country needs to implement stringent measures to contain the pandemic.
IGIHE has learnt that the latter is among major reasons that triggered the adjournment of Umushyikirano.
The council was expected to bring together government officials, parliamentarians, Rwandans within the country and abroad among others.
The 18th National Dialogue Council cancelled in 2020 was scheduled on 16th December 2020. It was cancelled by the cabinet meeting held on 14th December which also postponed all national events.
During the council, the president delivers ‘State of the Nation’ address.
Umushyikirano is Kinyarwanda’s equivalent of ‘dialogue’. During the dialogue, participants exchange ideas, share experiences, peer review and question each other. Today Umushyikirano is known as the National Dialogue Council.
As part of efforts to reconstruct Rwanda and nurture a shared national identity, the Government of Rwanda drew on aspects of Rwandan culture and traditional practices to enrich and adapt its development programs to the country’s needs and context.
The result is a set of Home Grown Solutions – culturally owned practices translated into sustainable development programs. One of these Home Grown Solutions is Umushyikirano.
Governed by the Rwandan Constitution (Article 168), Umushyikirano is a forum where participants debate issues relating to the state of the nation, the state of local government and national unity.
The Office of the Prime Minister is responsible for the overall co-ordination of Umushyikirano.
The new measures are imposed following the emergence of new variant of COVID-19 dubbed Omicron. On Thursday, Rwanda registered 125 new COVID-19 cases which increased to 153 on the next day.
The communiqué released by the Office of Prime Minister shows that all businesses must close by 9p.m.
Concerts and live band entertainment have been suspended. Traditional, civil and religious weddings related reception as well as other social gatherings should not exceed 30% of venue capacity or exceed 75 persons.
Among others; events conducted in homes should not exceed 20 persons while local authorities must be informed 7 days before the event.
