On August 16, 2019, the Governments of Japan and Rwanda agreed on Sector Policy Loan for Nutrition Improvement through Agricultural Transformation of USD 93 million to assist Rwanda’s effort to tackle stunting. In the Loan Agreement signed between Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN), the trigger -based disbursement of the loan has been subdivided into three tranches of 40 %, 30% and 30% to be received over three years. The first tranche equivalent to 40% (36 Million USD) was subsequently disbursed in December 2019.
Mr. MARUO Shin, Chief Representative of JICA Rwanda Office, appreciated the concerned ministries and agencies of the GoR in achieving the agreed policy actions related to the above disbursement in timely manner, despite challenges faced in the course of implementation, posed by COVID-19 global pandemic. This disbursement is timely because it would assist the GoR in mainstreaming “Nutrition” during the COVID-19 pandemic period when many urban and rural households are suffering from malnutrition.
Despite substantial growth in agricultural production over the past 10 years, food security and nutrition remain concerns, especially looking at the vulnerability to shocks at the household level. A large share of the population remains dependent on rain-fed and subsistence agriculture. Some staple food production remains below the targeted demand for domestic consumption and is substituted by importation.
Maintaining a healthy diet is vital during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to FAO, a healthy diet supports a strong immune system, while good nutrition is very important before, during and after an infection.
The Program targets 12 Districts with highest stunting rates; namely Rutsiro, Rubavu, Burera, Nyaruguru, Ngororero, Nyamagabe, Nyamasheke, Gakenke, Gisagara, Gicumbi, Musanze and Ngoma District. At a decentralized level, the program has started to fill food nutrient gap in each target district and suitable nutritious crop has been identified and being promoted for production.
Other components include making crop calendars for irrigation schemes, and nutrition public awareness campaigns. The program is expected to have a big impact in eradicating undernutrition and fighting against stunting.
The goods, including 23 bales of secondhand clothes and about 250kgs of used shoes, were impounded on Wednesday July 22, from ten smugglers in Rubavu Sector, Buhaza cell in Murambi village.
The smugglers were also taken into custody.
Other goods intercepted from the smugglers include liquors, powdered milk, traditional fabric commonly known as kitenge, cooking flavours, boxes of cigarettes as well as products banned in Rwanda including plastic bags and body bleaching lotions and glycerine.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that earlier on Wednesday, the RPU received credible information from an informer about a big group of smugglers that would sneak goods into the country later in the night from DRC, through an illegal border point.
“Operations were organized and ten people belonging to the same ring, were arrested at about 9:30 PM with the smuggled goods.
Six of the smugglers were at the time crossing into Rwanda with the goods. Other goods were recovered from houses of four suspects, who are said to be facilitating smugglers to keep or hide their goods before they are transported to the final destination,” CIP Karekezi said.
“The intercepted smuggled goods include 23 bales of ‘caguwa’ and 250kgs of used shoes, 1,434 assorted pieces of banned skin bleaching products, 12 bottles of Red Label, 200 tins of Salsa, five cartons of cigarettes and six cartons of outlawed non-biodegradable polythene bags, among others,” he added
The spokesperson said that they are still searching for the owners of the goods since those arrested allege that they were either hired to smuggle the goods across the border or paid to use their houses as stores.
“All the suspects have also been quarantined for 14 days before other legal processes. This is to ensure that if they got infected with COVID-19 during the unlawful process, they don’t infect others.”
CIP Karekezi thanked the resident, who facilitated the foiling of this fraud, which would otherwise see banned and harmful products brought in the markets.
He warned communities residing on the border lines against facilitating fraud and other criminal activities like drug trafficking, and called for strengthened information sharing on anyone involved.
“These are unlawful activities, but we are also in a fragile period where such criminal actions can also be the source of COVID-19.
Remember that these people coming to your home delivering goods or crossing borders and living in your community; they could also bring the virus in your house and the village,” CIP Karekezi said.
While speaking at the press conference on Monday, the Minister of Local Government, Prof. Anastase Shyaka said that the country’s good governance system has been the driving force in effective implementation and response to the pandemic.
“Our country’s governance system emphasizes partnership at all levels and the policing duties equally falls under the responsibilities of local leaders,” Minister Shyaka said.
“As we face the pandemic of COVID-19, implementation and enforcement of the safety and other precautionary measures has not been left to the Police alone; all local entities are up in their respective areas to supplement the police day-to-day duties in ensuring that directives on COVID-19 are well respected,” he added.
The minister highlighted that there are still people, who don’t wear facemask, don’t wash or sanitize hands while others operate bars, one of the businesses that are still closed in this period; some churches also opened illegally without authorization.
He observed that the directives are clear and offers flexibility for people to run their errands
“Police cannot be everywhere, and in this case where they are not, local leaders and other community policing groups like Irondo and youth volunteers are there to ensure compliance and to help Police identify and arrest errant violators,” Minister Shyaka said.
RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera observed that although the directives are generally respected, there are some people that still violate them, including the curfew.
“We are happy that the majority of people were responsive by supporting the enforcement in one way or another, including those who continue to give us information on violators. Nonetheless, we still see some individuals, who violate the directives especially motorists,” said CP Kabera.
“Police doesn’t get tired neither does it get annoyed. If you think that we will give up then you are lying to yourself; It is one thing to violate the directives and worse still undermine instructions by Police officers enforcing the directives; you will be arrested,” he warned.
On March 16, 2020, the Ministry of Education announced that schools were to close to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
During a Cabinet meeting on April 30, 2020, the Government of Rwanda announced that in a new strategy to combat the spread of Coronavirus, schools would remain closed until September. However, the reopening dates have not been announced yet.
Dr Ngirente, when presenting to Parliament a picture of the Government’s action in the fight against the COVID-19, was asked how the country was preparing for the schools to reopen in September.
“Children are missing out on the learning; one will tell you I miss so and so and when I see them, I will hug them big time,” said MP Ruku Rwabyoma adding:” I am very much concerned with the plan to reopen schools in September when we still have so many COVID-19 cases. Won’t it be exposing our children?”
Rwabyoma was stating the understanding that with 50 children in one class, social distancing won’t even be possible.
MP Frank Habineza also pointed out that the infrastructure that will allow the schools to reopen are not yet ready, saying that the government started a project to build 22,000 new classrooms to prepare the reopening of schools. The schools are not yet ready, he said.
To all the concerns and more, the Prime Minister stated that the government has given itself until mid-August to take the final decision in regard to the school reopening.
“Reopenig schools is crucial; they are little children. We cannot rush the decision to reopen. We shall be really careful about it,” said the Prime Minister.
Ngirente said that the decision to reopen will also depend on the readiness of 22,500 new school classrooms under construction across the country.
During the closure of the schools, the Rwanda Education Board (REB) introduced a technology to help children continue to attend classes including Radio and TV programs and content uploaded on websites.
This Campaign in Rwanda comes at the heels of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and lockdown, where people globally are relying on online technology more than ever.
In implementing the Campaign in Rwanda, Get Safe Online will work with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation and the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA).
According to the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and Innovation; Mr. Yves Iradukunda, “the Get Safe Online Campaign is a welcome addition to ongoing efforts to promote online safety in Rwanda. Given the government’s continued efforts of smart governance and services digitization, cybersecurity awareness is important for both public servants and the private sector.”
Peter Davies, the Global Ambassador of Get Safe Online states that, “the aim of the Campaign is to raise awareness of risks and safety measures which will protect people from online security risks.
These risks include phishing scams, identity theft, ransomware, malware, viruses and other online threats. The services are fully funded and don’t require any resources from those who use it. Working together with our local partners in Rwanda, we look forward to building awareness on the importance of online safety in an ever-changing digital world.”
The Get Safe Online Campaign in Rwanda aims to raise awareness on the importance of staying safe online, and will comprise collectively of:
1. A locally presented, freely accessible website (www.getsafeonline.org.rw) in both English and Kinyarwanda with comprehensive information on online safety and cybersecurity. A Kinyarwanda version of the Get Safe Online Rwanda website will be available by the beginning of September.
2. Locally driven awareness and promotional campaigns, highlighting the most prevalent and highest cyber risks.
3. Capacity building to ensure continued advocacy for online safety, through an advocacy scheme enabling local people to deliver workshops within their organizations and communities, under the training, mentoring, guidance of Get Safe Online experts and local partners.
According to Innocent Bagamba Muhizi, CEO of RISA, “as we continue to conduct our businesses online, we are susceptible to cybersecurity breaches partly due to lack of awareness.
The aim of this Campaign as we collaborate with our partners Get Safe Online and the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, is to build increased awareness of all Rwandan citizens and residents about cybersecurity issues. By the end of the Campaign, we hope that every citizen will have a good understanding of how to avoid being a victim of these breaches. Specific efforts will be put into ensuring the safety of our children as they continue to study and learn online.”
Get Safe Online is a non-profit organization based in the UK, which has been providing free, accessible, high-quality public education and awareness services about online risks since 2005. Get Safe Online works alongside Her Majesty’s Government, law enforcement agencies, regulators, and private sector organizations in the technology, communications, retail, and finance sector.
The organization has established an excellent and trusted reputation among the cybersecurity community and the public. More recently, supported by the UK Commonwealth Cybersecurity Programme, Get Safe Online has been providing the same high-quality services in the 12 Caribbean countries that are part of the Commonwealth of Nations.
For more information, contact: Get Safe Online Rwanda Secretariat
CP Kabera was speaking on Monday, July 20, during a press conference to assess and discuss COVID-19 national response efforts in the last four months, held at Kigali Convention Centre.
The press conference brought together the Ministers; Dr. Daniel Ngamije of Health, Prof. Anastase Shyaka of Local Government, Soraya Hakuziyaremye of Trade and Industry as well as RNP represented by its spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera.
CP Kabera commended the role of the public in compliance and partnership in enforcement through information sharing on violators.
He gave an insight into the enforcement in the past four months, which was largely defined by awareness on the directives and safety practices through social media and other media channels, public communication system mounted on Police vehicles as well as drones which targeted markets, trading centers, and residential areas.
“We are happy that the majority of people were responsive by supporting the enforcement in one way or another, including those who continue to give us information on violators. Nonetheless, we still see some individuals, who violate the directives especially motorists,” said CP Kabera.
“Police doesn’t get tired neither does it get annoyed. If you think that we will give up then you are lying to yourself; It is one thing to violate the directives and worse still undermine instructions by Police officers enforcing the directives; you will be arrested,” he warned.
RNP, last week published a list of 498 motorists, who violated the curfew and disregarded instructions by officers enforcing the curfew to go to allocated centers, thereby driving or riding away. The force called all those on the list to voluntarily come forward.
“Those who have come forward, well and good; those who have not are advised to do so because they will be located and arrested if they don’t heed the call.”
CP Kabera reminded the public that the pandemic neither has legs nor wings, but is spread by people.
He added that having a positive mind and individual safer choices of #NtabeAriNjye (It shouldn’t be me) wherever you emphasize the aspect of individual responsibility to adopt safety practices and to prevent further spread of the virus.
He further warned those who breach the directives or spread rumors with intent to tarnish the image of RNP that it won’t affect the Police duties, but rather legal actions will be taken against such individuals.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije reiterated the impact of the national good governance, health, and security systems in responding to the pandemic effectively.
So far, 1582 COVID-19 cases have been detected in Rwanda.
Dr. Ngamije said that the government has increased the number of testing laboratories to five in different parts of the country with the capacity to carry out about 4000 tests daily, up from one lab four months ago, which had the capacity to carry out only 300 tests per day.
Minister Shyaka observed that the governance system played an invaluable role in bringing institutions together to professionally handle the situation.
He commended the impact of security organs and youth volunteers for the “sacrifice and bravery without fear of getting infected.”
He warned against operating bars, which are still closed in this period, as well as churches that go against the set guidelines.
“It is one thing to be granted permission to open for prayer services, but another to ensure that the guidelines are adhered to at all times, which can lead to closure once the church or mosque is found violating the safety guidelines,” said Minister Shyaka.
In her part, Minister Soraya reiterated the ill-effects of the pandemic on the economy, which hit the tourism sector, transport, and the aviation industry as well as cross-border trade.
Although the agriculture sector was affected by 3% and exports hit by 16%, Minister Soraya said that the government ensured that people in Rwanda are not cheated on the local market by setting prices and monitoring compliance.
At least 254 traders in Kigali were penalized for inflating prices and cheating customers in this period of the pandemic.
The EU has recently put out a list of 15 countries whose citizens are eligible to join the union after outlining strong anti-coronavirus measures.
Rwanda is one of the few countries EU opened for its borders after expressing efforts to fight coronavirus.
However, after consolidating those countries, each EU member state has been analyzing countries one by one.
Fourteen days after the report was released, the EU re-analyzed its findings and found that Montenegro and Serbia did not meet all the requirements as the number of infected ones had increased significantly in recent days.
Among the basic considerations are; the number of people infected within these countries which has to be lower than the general population (at least 16 people are infected with a population of 100,000), the number of infected people is declining and there is a need for adequate distance and prevention measures.
Although the EU showed the lists, European countries are the ones to decide when to start making it easier for international tourists from the listed countries. This list is updated after every 14 days.
Skol consumers swear by it because it has an incomparable test that makes whoever drinks it to add more, and once he is thirsty he only thinks of a drink from this factory that has been in Rwanda for a decade.
Now in various parts of the country, you will see billboards that advertise it, and where they serve drinks, Skol dominates. The brand has become a friend of all in Rwanda.
Many prefer it for its hungover-free character, allowing consumers to go about their routines without any hitch.
With such a soothing blend of characteristics, the brewers have expanded. The Prime Minister Dr. Ngirente Edouard on January 29, 2020, opened a new packaging line to double the production of beverages on the Rwandan market and capture regional markets.
The new packaging line was opened at the Nzove factory in Nyarugenge District with a bottling system worth $ 10 million.
The company started with the capacity to produce 80,000 hectoliters (hl) of beer per year and in 2015 it launched a new production line that put its production to 200,000 hectoliters (hl).
In 2019 it increased capacity where a new packaging line with a capacity of 500,000 hl per year was installed, according to the General Manager of SKOL Brewery Ltd, Ivan Wulffeert.
In addition to providing jobs, both directly and indirectly through different supplier and agent chains, in 2018 the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) revealed that SKOL is one of large taxpayers in the country.
{{Supporting entertainment }}
SKOL is also committed to supporting various major entertainment activities in Rwanda.
It has sponsored different activities in the entertainment industry including the Celebrities Christmas Party organized by The Mane, which took place on December 25, 2018, at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition known as Camp Kigali. It was intended to connect Rwandan celebrities and fans, socializing and wishing them a Merry Christmas.
Mupenda Ramadhan, the co-founder of The Mane Music Label, has been working with SKOL and has supported him in various concerts. He told IGIHE that he is thanking the company for its support of various concerts in Rwanda and other activities and urging it to keep up the good work.
“SKOL is great; it helps people enjoy a lot of entertainment; it encourages a lot of entertainment, and at the end of last year, it gave a lot of support to different concerts. Like me, we have worked on more than two concerts and other entertainment projects, but I would like to continue to do so because its products are related to entertainment,” he said.
SKOL also sponsored the ROC NYE concert, which brought together the top DJs, on the night of January 1, 2020, at Camp Kigali, which was attended by a large number of people.
DJs including DJ Ommy crazy from Tanzania, DJ Tyga, DJ Julz, DJ Marnaud, DJ Sparks from the UK, DJ Miller, DJ Kim, and DJ Klean were invited to the concert.
It is one of the sponsors of the annual Tour du Rwanda Concerts in Rubavu, Musanze, and Kigali Districts that brings together various sportsmen and artists including those from Kina Music of Ishimwe Clement.
On January 1, 2019, it also hosted a concert hosted by a group of two singers, Charly and Nina, to the delight of the crowd gathered at the Kigali Convention Center, celebrating the start of the new year 2019.
It was part of a concert to join its customers in celebrating the New Year, at concerts held at the Kigali Convention Center from December 29, 2018.
It was one of the sponsors of a concert that brought together artists including Riderman, Bruce Melodie, Deejay Pius, Amalon, Members of Green Ferry Music (Bushali, Slum Drip, and B-Threy), Queen Cha, Safi Madiba, Marina, Jay Polly, Social Mula, Jack B, Davis D, Active, Sintex, Rafiki, Uncle Austin and Rich Mavoko from Tanzania at the annual concert of The Mane Music Label titled ‘Kigali Summer Fest’ held on July 27, 2019, at the Kigali Conference & Exhibition Village (Camp Kigali).
Deejay Princess Flor from Belgium was also allowed to mix popular music, especially as it was the first time she had played at a major concert in Rwanda.
SKOL also has shows every Friday starting September 13, 2019, aimed at promoting SKOL Lager drinks and reaching out to comedy lovers, the first of which took place at the Le Poète bar in Nyarutarama and continues in various other locations in Kigali City and Musanze.
It brings together comedians including Kibonge Clapton, Joshua Kamirindi, George, Babou, and 5K Etienne known from Bigomba Guhinduka, Michael Sengazi, and others.
Comedian Mugisha Emmanuel [Kibonge Clapton] said the shows bring fans who were never able to meet them, making them socialize more freely.
On the long list of sponsorship is the third edition of the Kigali International Comedy Festival, which brought together comedians from different parts of Africa.
The festival, organized by Comedy Knights in collaboration with SKOL Brewery Ltd, was attended by African comedians.
It took place on November 8 and 9, 2019; attracted comedians including Michel Gohou, Oumar Manet, Joyeux Bin Kabodjo, Kigingi of Burundi, Clapton Kibonge, Joshua and Lindy Johnson, TSITSI Chiumya from South Africa and others.
Beyond sponsoring entertainment, SKOL is currently the main sponsor of Rayon Sports, the top tier of the most popular team.
The partnership began in May 2014, under a three-year contract with Rwf 47 million annual support to the team. In 2017, a new contract worth Rwf66 million was signed each year for five years.
SKOL installed the Rayon Sports stadium on September 29, 2017, with the finest green grass at a cost of about Rwf100 million.
Since July 2018, SKOL has also been helping young Rwandan teams train in Belgium. In the Tour du Rwanda 2020 it had his team partner with the Adrien Niyonshuti institution for the Promotion of Cycling Talents. The Skol Adrien Cycling Academy (SACA) is a new team, which is part of the continental competition, which is set up to promote the talents of Rwandan cyclists.
SKOL has also been supporting the Fly Cycling Club since 2016, where it provides all the equipment that cyclists need; it gives them insurance, coach, and even feeding the players.
The factory has soft drinks such as SKOL Panache and alcoholic drinks such as SKOL Malt, SKOL Gatanu, SKOL Lager, Virunga Mist, Virunga Gold, and SKOL Select.
It was a day of great rejoicing for those who were able to gather in places of worship and pray, 127 days after the churches were closed.
However, some places of worship postponed their reopening due to the fact that some have yet to line up their requirements; the ones that have been completed have been cleared while others are waiting.
IGIHE journalists went to the City of Kigali, as well as in other parts of the country, to see how the standard operating procedures were being followed.
Social distancing was the order of the day and there were no handshakes or hugs, which are the known modes of greeting among the faithful. Mass celebrants and the clergy wore masks and there was no holy communion.
After a temperature check and handwashing with clean water or hand sanitizer, believers went through their registration so that they can be monitored easily when needed.
Many of those who had turned up for the Sunday services returned home without attending due to overcrowding.
At ADEPR Muhima it was necessary to set up loudspeakers outside so that people could follow the teachings, while also continuing to be sensitized to follow the instructions.
Pastor Théogène Kanamugire, leader of the ADEPR Muhima, said they were well prepared to receive people while respecting the Coronavirus prevention measures.
“It is a happy day, we ask Christians that as we are rejoicing, we should observe the instructions,” said Pastor Kanamugire.
At the Cathedral of St Michel Parish, a digital system has been put in place to help members register and place people in such a way that allows them to know who will be attending what mass.
Father Innocent Consolateur, head priest at Saint-Michel Cathedral said the digital system works perfectly and makes it easier for people not to waste time registering on the church line.
“In the English Mass at 3 p.m., many were using this digital system and there was no problem. It also has a better approach when reporting to the relevant authorities,” he said.
In the Western Province, there are some districts that saw Christians gathering such as Rubavu, while others such as Rusizi have held meetings but churches allowed to open are only in Kamembe Sector.
In Musanze, when arriving at the church, a group of trained people were testing temperature using special devices, others were writing down people and phone numbers at the entrances of churches.
In the Eastern province, home to almost 4000 churches; only 45 of them were allowed to reopen, these churches are in 6 districts except in Gatsibo, where no church was allowed to open.
In the Ministry of Health, Zacharie Iyakaremye was appointed Permanent Secretary, replacing Dr. Jean Pierre Nyemazi, who took a leave of absence from the position in January.
Dr. Vincent Rusanganwa was appointed Head of Faculty Recruitment and Academic Partnership Department in the Human Resources for Health Secretariat while Joseph Shema was made the Head of Teaching Coordination and Quality Assurance Department in the Human Resources for Health Secretariat.
Still in the Ministry of Health Nicole Jabo was appointed the Advisor to the Minister of Health Esperance Kwizera became the Advisor to the Executive Secretary for Human Resource for Health Secretariat.
Armand Zingiro was appointed the Managing Director Energy Utility Company Ltd (EUCL), in the Ministry of Infrastructure, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs registered the biggest number of appointees to head different departments.
Those appointed in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MINAFFET) are:
1. Mr. KUBWIMANA RUGAMBA Eric, Division Manager, Americas, UN &
International Development Organizations
2. Mr. BUKUZAGARA Francis, Division Manager, African Affairs
3. Mr. KAMUSIIME Fredrick, Division Manager, EAC and Eastern African Affairs
4. Ms. BASOMINGERA Candy, Division Manager, Communication
5. Mr. MUSEFANO Bonny, Director, Northern and Western Europe
6. Ms. RUGASAGUHUNGA Yvette, Director, South and East Asia
7. Ms. MAZIYATEKE UWIMBABAZI Sandrine, Director Rwandan Community Abroad.
Gilbert Mucyo was confirmed as the Division Manager of the Office of the Government Spokesperson, which is also under MINAFFET.
Dr. Charline Mulindahabi was appointed the Rwanda Management Institute (RMI) Director General. She is replacing the Amb. Wellars Gasamagera, who was appointed Ambassador in Angola in July 2019; Dr. Mulindahabi will be deputized by Kizito Habimana, who was appointed the Deputy Director-General.
Jean Pierre Mugabo was made the Director General of Rwanda Forestry Authority while Teddy Mugabo was appointed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA).
The cabinet also made key appointments in Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB), which also got a new board chaired by Sir David King. Similarly, FONERWA also got a new board that will be chaired by Rachel Kyte.
In other appointments, National Electoral Commission (NEC) also got a new Vice Chairperson Nicole Mutimukeye and two commissioners namely Faustin Semanya and Uwera Kabanda Francoise.
