The cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame was held virtually.
Curfew hours have been eased back where movements have been prohibited from 8pm to 4am against the previous measures restricting movements from 7pm to 4am.
Hours to close business operations have shifted from 5pm to 6pm.
The cabinet meeting has also allowed all schools (public and private to reopen).
Schools in Kigali city were closed on 18th January 2021.
Religious, civil weddings have been allowed and must not exceed 20 persons. Receptions are also prohibited.
Movements between Kigali, other provinces and districts are still prohibited except for essential services, medical reasons or tourism.
Among others, private businesses shall continue to operate at no more than 30% of staff capacity while other employees continue working from home on rotational basis. Markets and malls shall continue for essential vendors and must not exceed 50% of registered traders.
Public transport (buses) should not exceed 75% capacity. Motorcycles and bicycles are also allowed to carry passengers and must observe strict hygiene.
Restaurants and cafés shall resume with 30% occupancy limit and shall receive clients until 6pm. All bars will remain closed while places of worship will resume with no more than 30% maximum occupancy.
Gaming activities and physical meetings remain prohibited while individual and non-contact outdoor sports activities are permitted.
Attendance at a wake/vigil (ikiriyo) should not exceed 10 persons at any time, funeral gatherings should not exceed 20 persons.
These measures will take effect nationwide starting February 23rd to March 15th 2021.
Lt Gen Musemakweli passed on 11th February 2021, at Kanombe Military Hospital where he was getting treatment. He died at the age of 59.
The ceremony to bid last farewell took place yesterday observing COVID-19 preventive measures. It was attended by various people including relatives, and colleagues mostly RDF senior officers.
He was eulogized for great contribution to liberate the nation as well as striving for the country’s development in respective duties he held.
His child, Musemakweli Shafy revealed that his father taught them to embrace moral values and strive for bravery.
“When I went to live in America, my father told me to be a good ambassador and strive for good reputation of my country. I wish him to rest in peace with a promise to emulate his bravery,” he said.
Musemakweli’s children said they didn’t run short of anything because their father took care of them and treated them gently.
“I promise him that we shall soldier on to help our mother. It is difficult to live without him but we shall make efforts to uphold his legacy,” said Uwase.
In the message of late Lt Gen Musemakweli’s wife read by her eldest daughter, she revealed that both parents met in 1994.
“I take this moment to briefly speak about my husband and father of my children. I remember when we met for the first time in 1994 during the struggle to liberate our nation. He was a soldier and I was a medical doctor. That’s when our love journey began,” she said.
She emphasized that late Lt Gen Musemakweli has been a kind husband for the past 26 years.
“She was not only a husband but also my father. I lost my dad at early ages but I forgot sorrows of missing a parent since I lived with him. I always thank him for that. He was an honest man. I always thank him for giving me a good exemplary. I loved him so much but God has taken him again. I hope he is in God’s safe hands until we meet again,” she said.
The condolence message from President Paul Kagame and Commander in Chief (C-in-C) of RDF to the family of the late Lt Gen Jacques Musemakweli read by Senior Defence and Security Advisor in the Office of the President, Gen James Kabarebe, he said that it is an extremely sad moment for the family, RDF and the country.
He commended late Lt Gen Musemakweli for his commendable service and exemplary achievements during the struggle for the liberation of the country and the subsequent struggle for the socio-economic development of the Nation ‘he was still contributing to, up to the day he passed on’.
“Late Gen Musemakweli worked tirelessly and selflessly for this Nation and his contribution is evidenced by the various appointments he held over time, to serve RDF in different capacities. These appointments testify to his exceptional commitment to fulfilling the core values RDF stands for. This is exemplified by his unrelenting endeavor to always instill these values to other RDF officers and men. His untimely passing on comes at a time the Nation and his family still needed him,” reads the message.
“What we can remember on such a day, is that all of us should strive to carry on the legacy of loving and working for our country, a value that characterized Late Gen Musemakweli. The leadership of Rwanda, through the Ministry of Defence and RDF, assures the family of Late Gen Musemakweli of their unwavering continuous support as the law requires and as it is a practice in our culture,” adds the message.
Lt. Gen. Jacques Musemakweli was among RPA soldiers that liberated the country and stopped the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
He held different senior positions in RDF leadership including; commander of Republican Guards, Army Chief of Staff and Reserve Force Chief of Staff.
On 12th January 2018, President Paul Kagame and the Commander in Chief of RDF promoted Jacques Musemakweli from the rank of Major General to Lieutenant General.
Among others, Lt Gen Jacques Musemakweli once served as the commander of the Republican Guards prior to his appointment as Army Chief of Staff in 2016.
At the time, he was at the rank of Major General. In April 2019, Lt. Gen. Jacques Musemakweli was appointed the Commander of Reserve Forces prior to 3rd February 2019 when he became RDF Inspector General.
He also served as the Chairman of APR FC from 2013 until January 2021.
Lt Gen Musemakweli had taken post from Maj Gen Alex Kagame who was leaving for studies in China. Lt Gen Musemakweli was recently replaced by Maj Gen Mubaraka Muganga to the position in January 2021.
He was serving as RDF Inspector General prior to his demise.
The office is headquartered in Nyarugenge district, Kigali city in the building of I&M Bank.
The development is part of the Federation’s program to expand offices across the world.
The Regional Development Office will oversee football activities in Eastern Africa countries.
Similar offices are headquartered in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal, Johannesburg in South Africa and another one in Ethiopia which has been moved to Rwanda.
FIFA president, Gianni Infantino has revealed that setting up the office in Kigali is inspired by Rwanda’s ambitions to promote football and other development projects and expressed optimism that the office will help regional countries.
“Rwanda and Kigali are special places. I witnessed it last night. Whenever I visit Rwanda, I realize that it continuously becomes a beautiful and continues to promote football activities. We have to do great things to realize significant progress in football, education, Governance, fighting against corruption in Africa. I am optimistic that it will pave the way for the development of regional football,” he said.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta who signed the Host Country Agreement with Mr. Gianni Infantino extolled FIFA for trust bestowed to Rwanda highlighting that ‘The Government of Rwanda will do everything possible to reach envisaged goals.’
Through the FIFA Forward Programme, FIFA enables football to grow globally and promotes the best possible conditions for football development worldwide.
FIFA Forward is built to provide 360-degree, tailor-made support for football development in each of our member associations and the six confederations.
In a bid to decentralize services and enhance efficiency among beneficiaries, FIFA has opened offices in different countries across the world and African countries including Senegal, South Africa and Ethiopia. The latter has been moved to Rwanda.
Following the successful implementation of the first edition of the FIFA Forward Development Programme 2016-2018, “FIFA Forward 1.0”, the second edition, “FIFA Forward 2.0” came into force on 1 January 2019 and will run until 31 December 2022.
FIFA seeks to inject almost US$3 million in the programme by 2022.
Since inception of FIFA Forward in 2016, the organization has opened new offices in many countries including India, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Barbados and United Arab Emirates.
Establishment of the regional development office in Rwanda was approved by the cabinet meeting held on 4th January 2021.
The agreement has been signed by Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning on behalf of Government of Rwanda and Rao Hongwei, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Rwanda.
Minister Ndagijimana and Ambassador Hongwei also signed a debt cancellation agreement worth RMB Yuan 40 million (approximately an equivalent of US$ 6 million).
Commenting on the development, Minister Ndagijimana appreciated the support by the Government of the People’s Republic of China that comes in handy during challenging times caused by COVID-19 pandemic.
“This debt cancellation will free some resources that were otherwise going to be used for debt payment,” he said.
“The grant of RMB Yuan 400 Million is significant and will be used for a priority project to be agreed upon. I take this opportunity to thank the People’s Republic of China for the continued support and cooperation in major sectors of our development, mainly: Transport, Agriculture, Health, Education and Energy,”added Ndagijimana.
Ambassador Rao Hongwei said that signed agreement is a testament to China, Rwanda strong friendship.
“Rwanda and China are time-tested friends, partners, and brothers and sisters. Since Chinese President XI Jinping’s historic visit to Rwanda in 2018, the bilateral relationship between Rwanda and China has reached a record high and the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, esp. in the economic field, has been tremendously diversified and intensified,” he stressed.
“China hopes, by extending the new financial support, to make contribution to Rwanda’s all-round transformation and recovery from the malign impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s signing of the two agreements also fully demonstrates China’s profound friendship with and strong support to Rwanda,” added Hongwei.
The year 2021, marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Rwanda.
Ambassador Hongwei emphasized that his country is ready to walk with Rwanda for a prosperous future.
“In these times of major new opportunities and challenges, we are ready to work with Rwandan friends to forge new opportunities out of crises, make new advances amid changes, and build an even more glorious tomorrow for China-Rwanda relation,” he noted.
Overall, credit risk, capital strength, operational resilience of systems and people due to remote working have been reported as the main areas of concern that will be the supervisory priorities going forward.
The financial sector is expected to remain resilient in the near term on account of existing capital and liquidity buffers as well as economy recovery hinged on the planned global domestic rollout of the vaccine commencing in the first quarter of 2021.
As per the committee’s observations during a quarterly meeting held on 16th February 2021, assets of the financial sector increased by 24% 9 year –on- year) to Rwf 4,310 billion in December 2020 (and represented 53 percent of GDP), against 12.5% registered in December 2019 on the back of growth of deposits (especially institutional investors), borrowings from other financial institutions and injections.
Microfinance sector’s assets increased by 11 percent to Rwf 356 billion in December 2020 lower than 14.7% percent in 2019 as the pandemic significantly impacted the cash flows of households, micro, small and medium enterprises, thereby reducing their capacity to save and increasing their deposit withdrawal needs to cater for the pandemic’s uncertainties.
Insurance sector’s assets (private and public) grew by 15 percent to Rwf 591.7 higher than 14 percent growth registered in the previous year due to retained earnings and capital injections.
Growth of the public pension fund assets moderated to 10.7 percent to Rwf 985.6 billion as at the end of December 2020, lower than 15.3 percent growth registered in 2019 due to revaluation losses on some assets as well as reductions in pension contributions following suspension of some employers from declaring and paying pension contributions, reduced employees’ salary base in some institutions, either due to reduction in salaries or termination of some employees in response to the pandemic.
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The pandemic and required containment measures resulted in a contraction of GDP by 4.1 percent year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2020, led to a reduction in incomes of households and businesses thereby weakening debt service capacity, and increased credit risk.
In response banks provided loan repayment deferrals to their customers and at the end of December 2020, restructured loans were worth Rwf 799.9 billion representing 31.7 percent of total loans.
In the microfinance sector, restructured loans stood at Rwf 14.8 billion representing 7 percent of total loans. Insurance premium receivables also increased from Rwf 4.9 billion in December 2019 to Rwf 8.5 billion in December 2020.
The significant restructured loans in the financial sector are indicative of a potential uptick of non-performing loans and provisions for bad loans in 2021 and into 2022.
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In 2020, Financial Service Providers (FSPs) increased their rollout and users increased the adoption of digital payment channels. The number of mobile payment subscribers increased by 13 percent from 4,139,075 to 4,688,124 while mobile payment transactions increased by 85% from 378.8 million worth Rwf 2,349 billion in 2019 to 701 million worth Rwf 7,177 billion in 2020.
Other electronic payment channels such as mobile banking, internet banking as well as card based payment services also experienced notable growth and recommended among other things, continued engagement with relevant stakeholders on measures to support recovery of severely affected sectors like tourism and its value chains, public passenger transport and education among others.
Idamange, 42, hailing from Kamonyi district has been for the past few weeks using social media platforms to trivialize the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. She once said that remains of genocide victims laid at different memorials ‘have become a business’.
The mother whose university studies were sponsored by the Fund for Support to Genocide Survivors (FARG) has been featuring in YouTube channel talk shows pronouncing words that are said to incite public disorder and trivialize the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Following these acts, Rwanda National Police (RNP) jointly with Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) arrested her on 15th February 2021 for investigation.
During an exclusive interview with IGIHE, TIR Chairperson condemned her acts observing that it is shameful to see a genocide survivor criticizing those who sponsored her education and particularly trivialize the Genocide she survived.
“How come that a person criticizes people who paid his/her school fees! I don’t blame them too but I have pity for them because their school fee was wasted. I am not sure if she completed the studies she claims. She is not able to set goals and goes beyond that to exhibit contempt and trivialize Genocide,” she said.
“If you are not a perpetrator or someone denying it [Genocide], you cannot pronounce such words. She is aware of genocide even if she is not a perpetrator. Perhaps, she might be considering that chances emerged from it getting school fees. She talks whatever without diligence. In fact, I no longer want to spend my time on that woman,” added Ingabire.
Idamange is the mother of four.
On the same day of her arrest on 15th February, Idamange featured in a talk show following the previous one held on Sunday called ‘Amasengesho’ (Prayers).
In the talk show, she was heard requesting Rwandans to organize riots at Presidency Office carrying their bibles.
As the woman began series of such talk shows, many Rwandans including siblings and husband denounced his acts.
Her husband, Eng Mabumba Oswald, currently lives in South Sudan. He used Instagram account to denounce acts of his wife with whom they sired four children together.
“I am writing this to inform all people that my wife Yvonne has recently criticized the Government of Rwanda in public on social media platforms. I largely condemn such acts. As the husband and parent of her children, I tried to advise her against the wrong path she chose at family level but she declined to obey me,” he said.
Mabumba highlighted that him and children love Rwanda that they are against Idamange’s plan.
The Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) recently announced the placement over 17,000 teachers without requirement to sit for entry exams.
The development to scrap off teacher entry exams was meant to address the shortage of teachers needed in primary and secondary schools following the increase in classrooms countrywide.
Students at Groupe Scolaire Nyagatare and Musheri who spoke to Flash Fm, have revealed that lacking teachers for some courses leaves them behind and jeopardizes quality education.
“We no longer study ICT. The teacher of ICT was transferred to another school but has not been replaced. They promised us to get a solution but nothing has been done,” said one student.
“Teachers have not returned due to COVID-19. As a result, some classes don’t have teachers that one teacher assists five to six classes,” added another student.
The vice mayor for social affairs in Nyagatare district, Murekatete Juliette has explained that the matter was reported to Rwanda Education Board (REB) and requested schools to work with available teachers.
“The district firstly provided the number of required teachers. Some of requested teachers have arrived but others have not yet come that it requires quick action,” she said.
The Deputy Director General in charge of teacher development and management at REB, Nsengiyumva Jean Damascene has told IGIHE that they expect the placement of teachers in the 4th batch not later than March 2021.
“We are planning for the next placement soon. There is a team delegated to assess the status of teachers’ gaps across districts. Following the inspection, teachers on pending list will get placement,” he noted.
Nsengiyumva revealed that teachers will have been sent to Nyagatare by March based on numbers of required teachers in districts.
Figures show that Nyagatare district received 666 out of 800 teachers needed in primary schools. Among others, the district needs more 200 teachers in secondary schools to bridge existing gap.
Sheikh Hamdan Habimana is currently the deputy president of Arsenal fans in Rwanda and the president of Ijabo Ryawe Rwanda Association.
As an umbrella body that brings together all local football academies and training centres, Ijabo Ryawe is also a member of the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA).
He has been arrested in Huye district, Southern Province following the complaint filed to RIB on 14th February 2021.
The spokesperson of RIB, Dr Murangira B. Thierry has told IGIHE that Habimana is suspected to have committed the crime last week.
“Habimana Hamdam, 45, is investigated for money theft crime. It is said that he stole the money from a journalist working with B&B FM- Umwezi. The theft took place in Kinyinya sector, Gasabo district on 13th February 2021,” he said.
B&B FM- Umwezi journalists have through a talk show dubbed B&B Sports Plateau revealed details of the theft.
It is said that Uwimana’s money was stolen from a car she left in parking of B&B FM- Umwezi premises to participate in a talk show.
As she returned, Uwimana missed her money.
This prompted them to review records of CCTV Cameras installed in the parking and established that Sheikh Hamdan Habimana opened the car using another key.
Imfurayiwacu Jean Luc, a journalist working with B&B Fm Umwezi, explained that, CCTV footages showed that Sheikh Habimana entered the car at 12:22 in which he spent 48 seconds.
Since then, Uwimana and the management of the radio rushed to alert security officials.
Sheikh Hamdan Habimana is detained at Kinyinya RIB station waiting for his case to be transferred to the prosecution.
If convicted, he is liable to a sentence between one year and two years, fine between Rwf 1 million and Rwf 2 million, community service for six months or one of these penalties as per article 166 of Rwanda’s Penal Code.
The lockdown saw daily infections reducing from 200 and above to 50 and 60.
During the lockdown, Dr. Kalisa Egide conducted research on its impact to reducing emissions.
Dr. Kalisa Egide is a lecturer at the University of Rwanda, Department of Science and Technology (CST) and researcher on gases polluting the air.
“I conducted analysis on ‘Coarse particles (PM10)’ caused by construction activities, smokes from combustibles and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) particles from vehicle emissions. I established that they have reduced by 14% in Kigali compared to the previous time,” he said.
Coarse particles are the relatively large airborne particles mainly produced by the mechanical break-up of even larger solid particles.
Gases polluting the air can reduce due to various reasons including limitation or the absence of vehicle movements.
Among others, Rwanda implemented several preventive measures since COVID-19 emerged on 14th March 2020. People were requested to respect social distancing, wash hands, and avoid unnecessary movements and public gatherings.
On 21st March 2020, Rwanda was the first African country to impose lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
The lockdown that lasted for 40 days reduced gas emissions in Rwanda’s atmosphere by 24% as highlighted by Dr. Kalisa Egide.
The reduction in emissions was also reported in the United Kingdom, India and China.
Dr. Kalisa has told IGIHE that carbon emissions are among challenges the world is faced with considering the fact that over 7 million people die of diseases emanating from polluted air globally.
“Gas emissions from vehicles, combustibles might cause diseases like asthma and lung cancer. It also has adverse effects to national economy,” he said.
The researcher observed that the current pace of Rwanda’s development and growing population demography forecasts extreme increase in emissions if no stringent measures taken.
Dr. Kalisa said that COVID-19 has had negative effects to humans and the economy but observed that it should leave a lesson that reducing air pollutants is possible.
“It has evidenced that preventing air pollutants related consequences is possible if we concert efforts and encourage green projects,” he underscored.
The research carried out by Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) in 2017, indicated that 95, 2% of cars in Rwanda are than ten years old with 56,6 % with the vehicles made before 1999 while 77,2% of them were made before 2000.
The Ministry of Health shows that 13% out of 3 million respiratory diseases recorded every year are caused by emissions.
Rwanda is the first African country that submitted a tougher climate target to the united Nations (UN), promising to cut gas emissions at least 38% % by 2030.
With technical and financial support, Rwanda estimated it could reduce its total emissions by 4.6 million tons of CO2 by 2030.
Measures include the deployment of hydro and solar energy, improving energy efficiency in industrial processes, introducing vehicle emission standards, rolling out electric vehicles and promoting on-farm biogas use.
The minister revealed this yesterday as he presented agreements determining the establishment of FEDA to the lower house of parliament which it endorsed.
Munyangeyo Théogène, the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Economy and Trade in the Lower Chamber of Parliament explained that the fund comes in handy to address challenges related to lack of capital among Rwandans and Africans in general.
“African countries experience trade deficit. Therefore, these agreements are beneficial to African countries. It is a great milestone to sharpen Rwandans’ skills and address issues pertaining to the lack of capital investment,” he said.
The cabinet meeting held on 11th November 2020, approved a Memorandum of Understanding on the hosting of the permanent headquarters of FEDA in Kigali.
Dr. Biruta said that agreements establishing the fund were signed in Cairo, Egypt on 22nd November 2020 expected to promote investment in Rwanda and Africa, address barriers hindering trade and facilitate the implementation of Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA).
“The agreements will also promote investment especially in our country where the fund will be headquartered whereby Rwanda will take advantage of several benefits like promoting Rwanda’s visibility as the hub for international financial institutions,” he said.
“FEDA will also open doors for Rwandan business community, connecting them to other African countries and investors. The fund will also provide jobs to Rwandans,” added Biruta.
The fund will begin operations with US$200 million initial capital provided by African Export–Import Bank (Afrexim Bank).
The fund is also expected to foster jobs creation.
