The decision to close the two markerts is informed by the increased number of new Coronavirus cases in Kigali.
In just three days, 219 people mostly from the Nyarugenge and Mutangana market plus a few from the country’s ministries tested Covid-19 positive.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Ngamije Daniel, said the analysis showed that there was a problem in following Coronavirus prevention guidelines, where in some markets people don’t wear masks, others wear it badly and also do not wash their hands properly.
He said that since last month, it has become clear that there is a problem in the markets with clerks who help traders and customers not being strict with enforcing the guidelines.
Dr. Ngamije said there is no need for the disease to first kill many people for others to see it as a serious danger.
A statement signed by Rubingisa Pudence, Mayor of Kigali City, informs the market vendors and customers that ‘from August 17 to August 24, 2020, Mutangana Market, the Kigali City Market Building and shops on its outskirts will be locked. ‘
Nyarugenge District in collaboration with the leaders of Mutangana Market has informed its vendors and customers of the alternative food market places where they can do their shooping.
The City of Kigali has assured those who operate in this market, especially those who sell perishables thatwill be given time to remove their stock and relocate to another market. It is an action that will be taken following Coronavirus prevention guidelines.
Secondary education that provides relevant skills to young workers will help improve productivity, particularly in the informal sector, and will play an important role in driving long-term economic growth and reducing poverty in Africa.
“Digitization, automation, and technological advancements are already changing the nature of work in Africa. Young people must enter the workforce from secondary education equipped with the right skills. So, strategic investments into secondary education can be a big part of ensuring young people and their countries emerge from the other side of COVID-19 stronger and more inclusive,” said Mastercard Foundation President and CEO Reeta Roy, as she welcomed audiences to the Secondary Education in Africa Virtual Summit held earlier today to discuss the report findings.
Across the continent, the youth population is growing and is expected to reach 456 million by 2050. This growth, along with improvements in the number of young people enrolling in, and completing, primary education is increasing the demand for secondary education. Enrolment is expected to double by 2030, representing an additional 46 million students at the secondary level over the next 10 years.
This in turn requires an expansion in the education workforce. Over the next 10 years, an additional 10.8 million teachers will be needed. Ensuring high-quality teachers are in classrooms is one of the most strategic investments a country can make to enable all students to develop the skills they will need for work and as citizens of a global world.
Reflecting on the data and findings within the Secondary Education in Africa report, His Excellency President Paul Kagame of Rwanda underscored the need for cross-sectoral partnerships to achieve the report’s proposed recommendations. “Secondary school is the critical link that prepares young people to succeed in the workplace.
This report sets out some key principles we need to take on board to adapt our secondary education systems for the future. The report emphasizes the importance of constant innovation, driven by data and the spirit of experimentation. This is where collaboration is essential between government, the private sector, and civil society,” he said.
In her keynote address during the Virtual Summit, which was attended by policymakers, educators, and young people, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf emphasized the importance of investing in relevant, high-quality, universal secondary education as a lever for advancing inclusion. “There is no greater driver of inclusion than a quality education. And there is nothing that can more quickly devastate hopes for the future than to have it taken away,” she said
.
President Sirleaf also reflected on her experiences leading Liberia through the Ebola crisis of 2014, suggesting that prioritizing investments in education would be critical to enabling Africa’s recovery from COVID-19. “After Ebola devastated Liberia, forcing us to close our schools for many months, we realized that we needed to place learning at the centre of the recovery process,” she said. “As we recover from this current crisis, it is my strong belief that collaborative partnership is key to reimagining a secondary education system that is fit for our future,” she added.
The Secondary Education in Africa report was released on the Mastercard Foundation’s website with an accompanying report entitled “Youth Perspectives on Secondary Education in Africa” that features the views and voices of a diverse range of young people. Among them, is Joseph Opoku, who believes that “many young Africans consider secondary school to be a critical juncture in determining the road ahead,” and that “young people want a secondary education that adequately prepares them for employment and/or entrepreneurship.”
Drawing on a wide range of research conducted by scholars in Africa and globally, the Secondary Education in Africa report offers examples of the positive change and sustained progress that has been made.
It examines factors that facilitate reform and innovation throughout the education system across a range of areas such as curriculum, teacher training, flexible approaches, equitable access, and innovations in financing. The report supports policymakers, educators, philanthropists, and young people themselves to re-envision secondary education for the future and to consider actionable recommendations for getting there.
Access the full report, Secondary Education in Africa: Preparing Youth for the Future of Work here.
Access to additional resources can be found at www.mastercardfdn.org/secondary-education-inafrica/
They were caught at about 9PM in the house of one Uwizeye Liberatha, 30, located in Kiramuruzi Sector, Gakenke Cell in Akarusisi Village.
Chief Insepector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that the group was “congested in a small room of two-by-three meters,”
They included 20 men and three women, with the majority of them members of ADEPR church. Others are from Anglican and Catholic churches.
“They had violated the directives in all aspects; illegal and risky gathering, they came from different places, no social distancing, no one was wearing a facemask and it was time when everyone was supposed to be in their respective homes,” CIP Twizeyimana said.
He added: “Such gatherings are prohibited, unnecessary movements and home visits are not allowed. These people came from different places and in any case where one of them was infected, it was easy to infect all others who were in that house, not forgetting how many each one of them would infect in their respective homes and communities, an act that can ultimately lead the country back into lockdown crisis.” CIP
All the 23 violators were taken to Kiramuruzi Police station where they were enlightened on the government directives and safety practices against COVID-19.
The incident came few days after other 24 people in Rusizi District were found praying in a hot spring in Mashyuza valley, Nyamabuye Sector.
Police reminds the general public against breaching the directives and calls for sharing of information on any violators in their communities.
The use of the EAC Regional Electronic Cargo and Drivers Tracking System is one of the decisions of a cabinet meeting held on May 29.
The postponement came after Tanzania’s request that the process be first fully understood by various EAC bodies, including the Council of Ministers, to get it approved.
The EAC Secretariat said that for this reason, the technology must first be approved by the ministers.
The launching date and places were expected to begin on August 12 and end on August 31, starting from the Rusumo border between Rwanda and Tanzania.
After Rusumo, next would have been the Mutukula border between Tanzania and Uganda on August 14; the Malaba border between Kenya and Uganda on August 21; Namanga border between Tanzania and Kenya on August 28 and finally, Kobero border between Burundi and Tanzania on August 31.
Under the technology, drivers will be required to install the application of this technology on their phones which will be used to monitor them from the start to the end.
The technology will be monitored at the headquarters of the EAC Secretariat, supported by four other locations in four countries namely Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda and on the Nimule border in South Sudan.
A statement issued by RDB states that the Government of Rwanda prioritizes support for the private sector and thus RDB is looking for investors who can buy the property in a fair and transparent competitive bidding process.
“The purpose of this tender notice is to identify potential companies and/or consortiums with the requisite technical and financial capacity to purchase and operate the hotel,” it said.
One of the key factors for an investor who will take over the Kacyiru-based hotel facility is to turn it into a five-star hotel within the shortest time possible.
RDB said it will work with the new investor to turn the hotel into a flagship that will meet various local and international environmental sustainable standards to attract local and international clients.
Umubano is one of the oldest hotels in Rwanda and had been acquired by Madhvani Group at a tune of $13 million in April 2017 after years under liquidation.
The hotel has been in the hands of several other investors, including the Libyan government-affiliated LAP Investments which operated it under Laico Hotels brand; it has also previously been managed by global hotel brands including Novotel, Meridian and Accord.
The Government has set September 11 as the closing date for submission of applications from potential bidders.
Since Monday, August 10, RNP has deployed its vehicles and motorcycles mounted with loud speakers to convey the Dos and Don’ts designed to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
Vehicles and motorcycles are trekking through markets, trading centres, residential areas and streets spreading safety message to further influence behavioural change and positive actions in line with the government directives and other instructions meant to curb the spread of the pandemic.
RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera said that the campaign is in line with the current situation when almost all businesses have resumed, but some of them don’t follow the safety instructions in provision of their services.
“The government put much effort in containing the virus and created a safe atmosphere for most of the services to resume. However, we can’t lean back; the virus is still in our midst and transmitted by the people, who breach the recommended safety behaviours and practices. We are still in a fragile period when individual hygiene and safety choices our sole protection against COVID-19,” CP Kabera said.
He observed that there are some individuals and business owners, whose actions still pose a threat to safety, and which can derail the national efforts to fight the pandemic.
“The message is clear; wear a facemask properly covering your mouth and nose at all times you leave your home; wash or sanitize your hands as many times as possible; maintain social distancing… at least one metre between you and another person; there are also safety instructions when in the vehicle or taxi-moto, which must be adhered to.”
Social distancing, washing hands before boarding and wearing facemask are also compulsory in public service vehicles.
For those using motos, sanitizing hands, having own fabrics to be worn inside a helmet and paying transport fares using cashless services are the prerequisite.
The campaign also emphasizes the 15 and 30 maximum numbers for civil and religious marriage, respectively.
The directives also provide not more than 30 people for the burial ceremony.
Equally, religious services are only allowed after inspection and upon approval by local leaders, and continuously adhering to safety guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health; businesses are encouraged to embrace cashless payment systems.
The general public are urged to do away with the culture of shaking hands and hugging; sports activities are done individually and sports businesses prohibited; entertainment, bars, parties and other social gatherings in homes and public places as well as betting businesses are not allowed.
CP Kabera said: “We are still seeing people undermining these safety guidelines, including movements beyond 9PM. As usual, the RNP way of policing is through awareness and education for the people to understand what is required of them; enforcement follows smoothly, as the public takes ownership of the process.
We believe that when people are informed they also make informed and appropriate decisions, and this is the basis of this campaign.”
“This is not the time to lean back and relax, but rather a period to take utmost individual responsibility to strengthen prevention actions against COVID-19 in all aspects as we go about our errands.”
The public are urged to report any violations on 112 (emergency toll-free line) and 0788311155 (WhatsApp) as well as all other RNP known communication channels including social media platforms.
In a statement issued by the August house, on Monday, welcoming the decision made by its Belgian counterpart to establish a committee to look into the Belgium’s history with its former colonies namely Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Burundi, the government expressed concerns over the inclusion of Laure Nkundakozera Uwase.
Uwase is a member of the Jambo Asbl, a Europe-based association which has been put on the spot for trivializing and denying the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi; the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide describes Jambo Asbl as a genocide denying association which was founded by youth who do not recognize the role of their parents and grandparents in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Moreover, Uwase is daughter of Anastase Nkundakozera, who was convicted by the Gacaca Courts for genocide crimes and her mother, Agnès Mukarugomwa, was a prominent MRND activist and is currently the director of Ikondera Libre, an internet-based media outlet which is known to openly negate the genocide.
The nomination of Uwase has led to criticism of the Belgian Parliament, especially by genocide survivors who feel she lacks the credentials to be part of the commission.
“The Parliament of Rwanda welcomes the initiative of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Belgium to establish a Special Parliamentary Commission to examine Belgium’s colonial past in Congo, Rwanda and Burundi, its consequences and the responses to be made thereto,” a statement issued by the Parliament of Rwanda reads in part.
Parliament said that the initiative underscores the importance of historical clarity and collective memory as prerequisites for forging a healthy future of mutual benefit and respect.
“However, the Parliament of Rwanda is concerned by the inclusion in the Group of Experts, that will assist the Special Commission, of a known genocide denier whose known “expertise” is the distortion of the recent history of Rwanda, and who belongs to an organisation whose mission is the denial and revision of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi,” it added
“The Parliament of Rwanda wishes to inform the Belgian House of Representatives that in view of the circumstances above, it already has reservations about the outcome of the work of the Special Commission,” it further said.
The Parliament of Rwanda reiterated its willingness to further strengthen the existing relations with the Belgian House of Representatives.
RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera said that these concerted and community policing efforts continue to play crucial roles and to supplement the Police and national efforts in combating the pandemic of novel Coronavirus in the country.
He observed that members of the public continue to become eyes and ears in their localities by reporting the few, who still breach the directives.
CP Kabera, however, noted that an assessment conducted observed violations in markets and business centres, bars, religious services, wedding, some restaurants and other illegal gatherings in homes.
He further warned those in services that are authorised to operate but hide behind them to breach the directives and other instructions, which they are supposed to follow for their safety and that of their clients.
“We are still faced with the same serious problem of COVID-19, there should be no room to be complacent and self-confidence… these are risky luxuries we can’t afford in this period,” CP Kabera said.
He added: “Some actions and practices like home parties and visits, hospitality facilities that receive big number of people without considering the safety guidelines, those operating prohibited sports related businesses, movements beyond 9 pm and those who don’t wear facemask or wash hands; these are inappropriate behaviours that can fuel the spread of COVID-19 and hinder national efforts against the pandemic leading to loss of more lives.”
He advised against the culture of being forced and always doing things only when under watch, adding that the directives are meant for the safety and wellbeing of everyone.
“Don’t respect the directives when you see the Police, that culture shouldn’t define Rwandans; we need a culture where compliance and responsiveness is an individual and general definition of our practices.”
He noted that this is a fragile period when individual responsiveness to the directives is key to winning the fight against the pandemic.
The spokesperson observed that it’s the duty of every resident of Rwanda to play a part in the fight against COVID-19 especially by respecting the directives such as proper wearing of facemask, washing hands with clean water and soap regularly or sanitizing hands; observing at least one-metre physical distance between two people; avoiding home visits, parties and unnecessary movements; doing away with the culture of shaking hands and hugging, and being at home by 9 PM.
He was at the time trying to use the fake notes to pay for goods at a shop located in Nyakariro Cell of Nyakariro Sector, Police said.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that on the evening of August 4, Bizimana went to purchase goods at the shop of one Pierre Nsengiyumva, 40.
“Nsengiyumva realised that a note of Rwf5,000 that Bizimana gave him was fake. He immediately called local authorities, who apprehended Bizimana, searched and recovered on him other five fake notes; four in the denominations of Rwf5,000 and one in the denomination of Rwf2,000,” CIP Twizeyimana explained.
Local leaders, he said, called and handed him over to the Police.
Bizimana could not disclose the origin of the counterfeit currency notes.
He has since been handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Muyumbu station for further management.
CIP Twizeyimana called for vigilance and real time information sharing on anyone suspected to be counterfeiting money or dealing in fake currencies.
Article 269 of the law relating to offences and penalties in general, states that “Any person who, fraudulently counterfeits, falsifies or alters coins or bank notes, which are legal tender in Rwanda or abroad, notes issued by the Treasury with its stamp or brand, either banknotes or alike that have legal tender in Rwanda or abroad, or one who introduces or issues in Rwanda such effects or notes with knowledge that they are forged or falsified, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five (5) years and not more than seven (7) years.
Rwanda Utilities and Regulations Authority (RURA) announced on Wednesday,
August 5, that effective August 15, no commercial motorcyclists operating in Kigali will be allowed on roads without subscribing to using meters and compulsory cashless payment services.
The new moto electronic transport system was announced during the press briefing, which brought together City of Kigali, RURA and RNP.
The GPS-enabled tool calculates distance and electronically generates the transport fare instantly.
RURA Director General, Patrick Nyirishema said that the deadline was well thought about including facilitating the motorcyclists to access the meters by the set deadline.
“We have taken two years to prepare this and to transform the moto transport system; we had meetings with the motorcyclists on this issue, and we hope by that date, all taxi-moto operators will be set for the new and efficient electronic services,” Nyirishema said.
With meters, passengers have options of paying using Mobile Money, Airtel Money or Tap & Go.
Currently, there are over 46,000 registered commercial motorcyclists across the country, with about 26,000 operating in Kigali.
According to RURA, about 19,500 motorcyclists in Kigali have so far acquired meters.
Nyirishema said that the mandatory electronic system for motorcyclists started in Kigali and will be decentralized to other parts of the country soon.
He said that the meters are friendly in terms of fares.
For the first 2kms, a passenger pays only Rwf300 and Rwf133 for any additional kilometers.
In case a passenger makes a stoppage along the route, he or she will have free 10 minutes after which Rwf21 will be charged per minute.
Nyirishema said that there are enough meters for all motorcyclists.
Three firms were authorized to provide the meters. These are Yego Moto, Pascal and Tap&Go.
A meter can only be used for two years, after which a new one alongside a smartphone will be given to a motorcyclist.
On the issue of the meter being expensive, Nyirishema disclosed that there will be no upfront payment as it will be paid in the course of two years.
He cleared the air that there will be no extra charges for clients using telecom payment services.
City Mayor, Pudence Rubingisa said that use of meters and shifting to cashless payment is in line with the ‘Smart City’ programme and part of the efforts to prevent further spread of novel Coronavirus.
“We are building a clean city that embraces e-services across all sectors including transport to ensure efficiency and service delivery,” Mayor Rubingisa said.
The mayor appealed to clients to also play their part by adopting the electronic payment system and to use motos with meters to prevent being cheated.
RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera said that the force is always ready to enforce any instructions.
“This will help the Police in relation to security matters; in case of conflict between the motorcyclist and client and also when a motorcycle or its rider has been implicated in any unlawful acts,” CP Kabera said.
He added: “This is for the benefit of the motorcyclist, client and the country in general; we don’t wish to see any motorcyclist on the road on August 15, without a meter because on that very day, the Police will carry out its enforcement duties.”
He said that RNP will continue to work with City of Kigali, RURA and the federation of motorcycle cooperatives to ensure that the directives are adhered to.
