Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport around 9a.m, Suluhu has been welcomed by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Today at Urugwiro Village, President Kagame will receive President of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan, for her first visit to Rwanda. The first day of her two-day State Visit, will begin with a tête-à-tête between the two Heads of State, followed by bilateral talks.
The Heads of State will then address members of the press and witness the signing of several bilateral agreements.
In the evening, President Kagame will host President Suluhu Hassan and her delegation for a State Banquet at the Kigali Convention Centre.
On Tuesday, 3 August 2021, President Kagame and President Suluhu Hassan will visit several companies in various sectors including the Special Economic Zone which is home to 120 companies with activities ranging from manufacturing, agro-processing and education among others. To date, the SEZ has generated 800 million USD in exports and created 13,000 jobs.
President Suluhu Hassan,61, assumed office in March this year.
The lockdown in Kigali City and eight districts considered major hotspots for new infections was imposed from 17th through 26th July 2021. It was later extended for five days to gather more information about status of the pandemic.
The cabinet meeting held on Friday chaired by President Paul Kagame took new COVID-19 containment measures lifting the lockdown in Kigali City and the eight districts including Burera, Rubavu, Gicumbi, Kamonyi, Musanze, Rutsiro, Rwamagana and Nyagatare. The decision took effect from Sunday 1st through 15th August 2021.
The cabinet meeting also allowed movements between Kigali City and other provinces and districts of the country except movements from and to selected sectors recently placed under lockdown. Movements are prohibited from 6p.m through 4a.m while all businesses must close by 5p.m.
Among others, public and private offices are allowed to reopen at 15% capacity while other employees must continue working from home.
Private businesses shall continue operations with essential staff at no more than 50% capacity, meetings and conferences are allowed not exceeding 30% of venue capacity, public transport should not exceed 50%, restaurants and cafés are allowed providing takeaway services only.
Civil and religious weddings are also allowed to a maximum of 10 people but all guests must present negative COVID-19 tests within 72 hours.
As new measures came into force on Sunday, residents of Kigali expressed delight for resumed operations and pledged to scale up efforts to adhere to national preventive directives.
Speaking to IGIHE; Innocent Barihuta, an employee working with Virunga Express revealed that the lockdown presented unusual times and thanked the Government for intervention to feed vulnerable residents hit hard.
“People depending on daily work do not earn income during lockdown but we were lucky that the Government provided food assistance. We are grateful from the bottom our hearts for the kind support to help us move on during such period of uncertainty,” he said.
Despite difficulties they went through, residents expressed optimism that things will go smoothly and bring the situation to normal gradually with strict compliance to COVID-19 preventive measures.
François Semanzi, a driver of buses heading to Eastern Province is among residents who shared lessons pulled from lockdown.
“All activities are on a standstill during lockdown yet savings are spent to feed children. You can easily understand how tough the situation is, when the lockdown is prolonged without enough reserves.”
He pledged to own measures and remind all passengers to remain compliant by keeping social distancing, wearing masks properly and sanitizing their hands.
Emeline Byukusenge lost a relative during the lockdown and could not attend his burial in Rwamagana. She had not visited her family until the lockdown was lifted.
“My grandmother died and was buried during lockdown. Lifting the lockdown allows me to visit my family but it also leaves a lesson to remain adherent to containment measures to avoid errant behaviors which could lead to halting movements and other activities,” she said.
Merchants whom we met in Kimironko market also committed to respect instituted measures to stay safe and continue their activities without disruptions.
“We have not yet started receiving clients as usual because some people might be hard up following days of lockdown. We are aware of surging COVID-19 cases and understand that it is our responsibility to own preventive measures. We are respecting all guidelines and 50% occupancy to avoid whatever that could undermine national efforts,” said Kankuyo Edisa, a vendor of fruits and vegetables.
Fabrice Ishimwe, a vendor of shoes in the same market also pledged to avoid complacency and remind his customers to respect health guidelines.
“We are delighted to see the lockdown lifted and convinced that it should not give loopholes for spread of the pandemic but rather concert efforts to tighten measures. That is why it is of utmost importance to remind every customer to wear a face mask properly, make payments digitally to avoid transmission of the virus. We can only defeat the pandemic if everyone acts responsibly,” he said.
Newly instituted measures will be reviewed after two weeks upon health assessment.
Citizens are reminded to continue adhering to COVID-19 preventive measures, keep social distancing, wear face mask properly, wash hands frequently and avoid unnecessary movements among others.
The official send-off event held at RDF Headquarters Senior Officers Mess on 31 July was presided over by the Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Albert Murasira on behalf of the Commander-in-Chief of RDF.
Maj Gen Murasira applauded the retirees for their personal sacrifices, service rendered and contribution to the country.
“After contributing to the liberation of your country Rwanda, individually, collectively and at different stages; you also participated in the international peace in which the RDF has played an active role.”
The Minister also recognized their contribution to the professionalisation of the RDF and other national development programmes.
“For this personal dedication, commitment and patriotism, we take this opportunity to thank you,” he said.
On behalf of the retirees, retired (Rtd) Col John Karega emphasised that they are retiring as happy people because their contribution to liberate Rwanda was not in vain.
He thanked the President of Rwanda and Commander-in-Chief of Rwanda Defence for his good leadership during the liberation struggle for the past 30 years up to day and vowed to remain loyal and committed to national development journey.
“As we retire, we seize this opportunity to assure the Commander-in-Chief and the entire RDF leadership that even though we are retiring, we shall remain committed to the continuous journey of liberation of our country and that we shall never betray our comrades on the course of national development”.
The retires were awarded certificates as a recognition for their service rendered to Rwanda Defence Force. The event was also attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, selected Generals and senior officers.
It will be her maiden visit to Rwanda after assuming office in March 2021.
IGIHE has learnt that Samia will arrive in Kigali on Monday.
On the first day, Samia will visit Kigali Genocide Memorial where she will pay tribute to over 250,000 victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi laid there before meeting with her counterpart of Rwanda, Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro.
On the second day, Samia will visit Kigali Special Economic Zone in Masoro which hosts different factories from Tanzania.
Her coming to the country of thousand hills follows Rwandan officials’ visits to the country.
Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente was in Tanzania attending the state funeral for late President John Pombe Magufuli while other Rwandan officials who visited the country include the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Chief of Staff and the Inspector General of Rwanda national Police (RNP).
Among others; Rwanda’s Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire and her counterpart of Tanzania Faustine Ndugulile met recently to discuss projects including telecommunication infrastructure development.
Samia’s visit to Rwanda follows the deployment of 1000 troops of the Rwanda Defence Force and Rwanda National Police to fight insurgency in the northern part of Mozambique.
Located at the north of Mozambique, Tanzania is among countries affected by insecurity in the neighboring country.
Rwanda and Tanzania enjoy cordial relations and cooperation in the areas of politics, infrastructure, economy and security.
Tanzania is considered a major development partner where over 70% of Rwanda’s imports and exports are transited through.
Both countries have a joint mega project to build ‘Isaka-Kigali’, a 532-kilometer railway expected to be completed at a cost of USD $ 3.6 billion.
The project is much anticipated between both countries especially for Rwanda as a landlocked nation.
The long awaited railway linking to Rwanda to neighboring countries is expected to give relief to traders catering for expensive cost of land cargo transport.
The railway on Rwandan side will follow the lowland through Ngoma, Kirehe, Bugesera and Kicukuro districts.
Sources reveal that Rwanda is required to pay US$4,990 per single container carrying 25,400 kgs. Once completed, the railway anticipates reduced transport costs by 40% hence positively impacting on Rwanda’s imports and exports.
Among others, the project will be impactful particularly for Rwandan traders considering the fact that 70% of Rwanda’s imported or exported cargos are transited through Dar es Salaam Port.
The report released by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) in March this year, shows that Rwanda received imports worth US$33,75 million from Tanzania against US$27,97 of the previous month.
The duo has been working at the Office of the Presidency in communications team.
The Office of the Prime Minister has revealed that the new appointments are part of resolutions of the cabinet meeting held on 30th July 2021.
Stephanie Nyombayire has previously served as the Deputy Principle Private Secretary in charge of communications at the Office of the Presidency while Makolo was the senior presidential advisor on media prior to Prior to her new appointment.
The decision is part of resolutions of the cabinet meeting held today chaired by President Paul Kagame.
The lifted lockdown [was initially imposed from 17th till 26th of July 2021.->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/kigali-city-eight-districts-placed-under-lockdown] It was later extended for five days to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Among others, movements between and other provinces and districts of the country are allowed except movements from and to [selected sectors recently placed under lockdown. ->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-puts-fifty-sectors-under-lockdown]
Movements are also prohibited from 6p.m through 4a.m while all businesses must close by 5p.m.
Public and private offices are allowed to reopen at 15% capacity while other employees must continue working from home.
Private businesses shall continue operations with essential staff at no more than 50% capacity.
Meetings and conferences are allowed not exceeding 30% of venue capacity, public transport should not exceed 50%, restaurants and cafés are allowed providing takeaway services only.
Civil and religious weddings are also allowed to a maximum of 10 people but all guests must present negative COVID-19 tests within 72 hours.
Minister Biruta made the observation on Thursday 29th July 2021 during a press conference to brief the media on various key local, regional and global issues.
“There is no major progress to restore relations with Uganda to normalcy but the Government of Rwanda is ready to live in peace with neighboring countries including Uganda,” he said.
Minister Biruta explained that finding solutions to outstanding issues is a matter of political will.
“Political will is paramount to normalize relations with neighbors. We also need to find a solution for issues that we have been discussing for many years. These include torture of Rwandans crossing to or living in Uganda and the support of Ugandan security officials to rebel groups intending to destabilize our country. It necessitates political will, and Rwanda is ready to do its part to live in harmony with Uganda,” he said.
Rwanda, Uganda relations worsened since 2017. Rwanda has been expressing concerns over Rwandans who travel to Uganda for business purposes but are abducted, imprisoned and tortured accused of being spies.
Rwanda also accuses Uganda of hosting dissidents that are posing a threat to national security.
In March 2019, the Government of Rwanda officially advised citizens not to travel to Uganda for their security following testimonies of over 1000 Rwandans tortured and deported from Uganda.
In August 2019, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame signed memorandum of understanding ‘Luanda Agreement’ in a bid to solve conflicts between both countries.
Despite efforts to sign the agreement between both heads of state witnessed by mediators including the President of Angola, Joao Lourenço and Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the situation is still worsening as Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence continues with arbitrary detention of Rwandans who are subjected to torture in its facilities.
These rebels apprehended in Nyungwe National Park in September 2020 have been handed over to Burundi during an event that took place on Friday 30th July 2021 at Nemba border separating Rwanda and Burundi.
Rwanda was represented by Brig Gen Vincent Nyakarundi, the Head of Defence Intelligence while Burundi was represented by spy chief, Col Ernest Musaba.
The handover of these combatants was also witnessed by the Commander of EJVM, Col Joseé Rui Lourdes and the Deputy Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Burundi, Richmond Tiemoko.
Armed with guns, the nineteen Burundian combatants who identified themselves as members of RED Tabara armed group were arrested in Ruheru sector of Nyaruguru district, Southern Province after illegally crossing from Burundi to Rwandan territory.
The EJVM Commander, Col J Miranda commended the good will and engagement demonstrated by both countries, Rwanda and Burundi and said the handover was a sign of collaboration in achieving peace and security in the region.
The road connecting the sectors of Rukira and Murama of Ngoma district as well as Nasho of Kirehe district, Eastern Province is constructed by NPD Cotraco and expected to be completed in 15 months at a cost of Rwf3.5 billion.
The road is funded by Howard Graham Buffett in partnership with the Government of Rwanda.
Howard G. Buffett is an American businessman whose foundation has supported the development of a center pivot irrigation project in Nasho sector.
The Nasho Irrigation Scheme project is made of 63 center pivots irrigation system, irrigating 1,173 hectares belonging to 2,099 smallholder farmers.
Construction activities of the new tarmac road officially began on Thursday 29th July 2021 giving hope to positively impact residents’ lives.
“Mobility was almost no go for vehicles carrying agricultural produce during rainy season. As a result, buyers would buy our produce at giveaway price. With the new road under construction, we are optimistic for increased buyers at fair price,” revealed Steven Karemera, a resident of Kanzenze village, Buriba cell in Rukira.
Kayonza district vice mayor for economic development, Cyriaque Nyiridandi Mapambano has explained that the road is much needed to facilitate trade and mobility.
“This region is renowned for high productivity of bananas supplied to different parts of the country. The unpaved road was not favorable for trucks transporting produce to Kigali. That is why the tarmac road under construction is much needed,” he said.
Kagame made the revelation on Thursday 29th July 2021 at the ‘Global Education Summit’ discussing needed partnership to promote education globally.
It was also attended by other heads of state including Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
As he delivered remarks, Kagame called on all countries to concert efforts to achieve envisaged Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
“Globally, we still need to triple current spending in education to reach the Sustainable Development Goals target,” he said.
Kagame shared Rwanda’s efforts where the country is working hard to guarantee better quality of education.
“In Rwanda, we have worked hard to reach the 20% target of education expenditure [national budget], including an innovative national effort that built more than 22,500 classrooms in the last year,” he noted.
Kagame also highlighted that these classrooms will capacitate the education sector to drive Rwanda’s transformations.
“This serves as a good foundation to do more and indeed much more is required of all of us. For example, increasing spending efficiency alongside allocating higher amounts to education will ensure that all children are better prepared to lead more productive and fulfilled lives,” he affirmed.
These efforts will be aligned with investment allocated to higher learning institutions and universities to produce qualified graduates competent enough at the labour market.
“In addition, sustained investments in higher education are critical to nurture specialized knowledge and skills needed to grow our economies and accelerate development. Rwanda looks forward to continued work with the Global Partnership for Education and regional partners towards the best learning outcomes,” he stated.
Rwanda has been hugely investing in education. Apart from construction of over 22000 classrooms to cost over US$400 million, the country has been increasing teachers’ salary, books at secondary schools, revising school curricula, donating laptops to students from higher learning institutions and universities and enticing globally accredited universities to bring operations in Rwanda among others.
