The Head of State paid homage to national heroes on 1st February 2022 during the 28th National Heroes Day ceremony.
This year’s ceremony is held under the theme ‘ Our Heroism, Our Dignity’.
This year’s ceremony is held under the theme ‘Our Heroism, Our Dignity’.
Kagame and First Lady were accompanied by senior government officials and diplomats accredited to Rwanda among others as they paid homage to national heroes.
In a message shared via Twitter handle, President Kagame said that the day is an occasion to honour heroes lives and their sacrifice that helped Rwandans to build a dignified nation.
“Happy Heroes Day! We honor the lives of the heroes -men and women- of Rwanda, and the sacrifices they made to enable us to build the dignified and united nation we live in today. That puts a heavy responsibility on each of us who are working to transform our country,” he tweeted.
The Head of State also reminded the youth to uphold the Rwandan spirit.
“To our Rwandan youth: we count on you to keep the unbreakable Rwandan spirit alive for generations to come,” he noted.
According to the law establishing the Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders and Decorations of Honor “a hero is any person who pursues objectives he/she undertakes to obtain a special achievement for the public interest and with high proven integrity, sacrifice and noble courage in his/her acts and who avoids being a coward in his/her actions in very trying situations.”
{{Rwandan heroes are classified into three categories namely:}}
{{Imanzi:}} The unknown soldier and Major General Fred Gisa Rwigema.
{{Imena:}} Mutara III Rudahigwa, Rwagasana Michel, Agathe Uwiringiyimana, Niyitegeka Félicité and Nyange students.
{{Ingenzi:}} No hero was classified in this category.
The executive secretary of Rugabano sector, Cyriaque Niyonsaba has confirmed that the old man was killed by lightning.
“It is true that lightning struck him dead as he slept in his sitting room around 10 p.m. The old man was living in a house not connected to electricity,” he said.
Last week, another resident of Twumba sector in Karongi district was struck dead by lightning.
The suspects include the executive secretary of Nyamihanda cell and the representative of women council in the same cell of Butare sector in Rusizi district.
The crime was committed between February and April last year.
They were arrested on 30th January 2022 on accusation of soliciting and receiving bribes worth Rwf843,000.
The Spokesperson of RIB, Dr. Thierry Murangira has said that whoever caught in such crimes won’t be tolerated.
“No one should be asked to offer bribery to be registered among beneficiaries of Government’s funds allocated to support citizens. We request grass root leaders and concerned people to shun such acts of corruption which RIB won’t tolerate,” Dr. Murangira said.
“We request citizens to provide information anytime a leader solicits money as an exchange for services to be delivered. We also thank citizens who continue to provide tip off and commend that collaboration,” he added.
The trio is detained at Nyakabuye RIB Post as investigation is underway to send their files to the Prosecution.
Article 4 of the law N° 54/2018 of 13/08/2018 on fighting against corruption states that any person who offers, solicits, accepts or receives, by any means, an illegal benefit for himself/ herself or another person or accepts a promise in order to render or omit a service under his or her mandate or uses his or her position to render or omit a service, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of more than five (5) years but not more than even (7) years with a fine of three (3) to five (5) times the value of the illegal benefit offered, solicited or received.
In article 174 of the law determining offenses and penalties in general states that; any person who, by deception, obtains another person’s property, whole or part of his/her finance by use of false names or qualifications, or who offers positive promises or who threatens of future misfortunes, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than two (2) years and not more than three (3) years, and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million and not more than Rwf5 million.
The appointment of Msgr. Catalan by Pope Francis was published by the Holy See Press office on Monday, January 31.
According to aciaafrica, Archbishop-elect Catalan, the first member of the Clergy of Philippines’ Manila Archdiocese to become an Apostolic Nuncio, has been serving as Chargé d’affaires at the Apostolic Nunciature in China since 2019.
Catalan, 55, the prelate was born in Manila on 18 September 1966 and was ordained a Priest in March 1994.
He entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on 1st July 2001 and has, over the years, served in the Pontifical Representations in Zambia, Kuwait, Mexico, Honduras, Turkey, India, Argentina, Canada, the Philippines and China (Taipei).
The Apostolic Nunciature of Rwanda became vacant on 28th June 2021 after Pope Francis transferred Archbishop Andrzej Józwowicz, the native of Poland, to Iran.
Archbishop Józwowicz had represented the Holy Father in Rwanda since March 2017.
Established initially as Apostolic Delegation of Rwanda in 1963, it was elevated to the Apostolic Nunciature of Rwanda in 1964.
The suspect identified as Francois Tuyishime, 28, was arrested in Rebero Village of Kabeza Cell.
According to the District Police Commander (DPC) for Kicukiro, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jeannette Masozera, the suspect was arrested due to a tip off by a mobile money agent, whom Tuyishime was attempting to defraud.
“Police received information on Sunday at about 7pm, from a mobile money agent in Rebero, that Tuyishime paid her with counterfeit money amounting to Rwf10,000 in denominations of 5,000 after depositing equal amount on his mobile account. Police swiftly conducted an operation and arrested the suspect at the scene,” said SSP Masozera.
She added: “After his arrest, Tuyishime was searched and Police officers recovered other counterfeit bills amounting to Rwf108,000, which he claimed that he got it from a man whom he sold his mobile in Remera. Counterfeit bills amounting to Rwf95,000 were in the denominations of Rwf5, 000 and Rwf13,000 in denominations of 1,000.”
SSP Masozera warned against such criminal actions, which pose ill effects on the national economy and people’s businesses.
The DPC thanked the would be victim for the vigilance leading to the arrest of the suspect.
The suspect was handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Kanombe station for further investigation.
Article 269 of law No 68/2018 determining offenses 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 years and not more than seven years.
Dr. Nsabimana has been serving as the Director General of Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) prior to his new appointment.
He had also served as Vice Mayor in charge of Urbanization and Infrastructure at the City of Kigali before moving to RURA.
Meanwhile; Amb. Gatete who held the position for four years has been appointed Rwanda’s Ambassador to the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Another appointee is Eng. Patricia Uwase who has been serving as the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Infrastructure. She has been named Minister of State in the same Ministry.
{{Who is Dr. Nsabimana?}}
Dr. Ernest Nsabimana received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (2005) from the University of Rwanda (former National University of Rwanda).
In March, 2010, He obtained a Master’s and Ph.D. combined scholarship (in Civil Engineering) at Kyung Hee University in South Korea. In June, 2015, he obtained a Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Geotechnical and Transportation Engineering. During his PhD course, dr. Nsabimana published various scientific papers in peer reviewed journals. He has research interests and expertise in Transportation infrastructure such as Highway Engineering, Airport Engineering, Railway Engineering, Urban Infrastructure and Utilities planning.
Since September 2015 to November 2018, he served as Senior Lecturer of Civil Engineering at IPRC-Kigali and Coordinator of Rwanda TVET Trainer Institute (RTTI) at RP. He also served as part time lecturer of Geotechnical Engineering and Transportation Engineering at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT-Kigali Campus), Airport and Railway Engineering at INES Ruhengeri, Transportation and Traffic Engineering, and Urban Utilities Planning at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology in Kenya (DeKUT).
Dr. Nsabimana has also a very strong industrial exposure. He has been working as Structural, Geotechnical, Transport, Pavement and Materials Engineer on various road and building construction projects across the country.
Since November 2018 to August 2019, Nsabimana served as Principal of IPRC Karongi under Rwanda Polytechnic (RP). Since August 2019 up to December 2020, he served as the Vice Mayor in charge of Urbanization and Infrastructure of the City of Kigali (CoK) until prior to his appointment as the Director General of Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA).
CHOGM was due to have been held in Kigali in June 2020 but was postponed twice due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
CHOGM is customarily held every two years and is the Commonwealth’s highest consultative and policy-making gathering. Commonwealth leaders selected Rwanda as host for their next summit when they met in London in 2018.
Through a statement released on Monday 31st January 2022, President Kagame welcomed participants of the meeting expected to discuss, among other things, ways to address COVID-19 related challenges.
“Rwanda is pleased to welcome all delegates and participants to Kigali for a safe and productive CHOGM Rwanda 2022. The last two years have made it clear to us that we are more connected than ever before and we must work together to achieve the tangible and sustainable results we want. The long awaited meeting will be an important occasion to come together to address the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and to build on innovative technological and economic opportunities to solve other key problems facing our citizens,” he said.
The Secretary-General Scotland also expressed delight that the meeting is set to take place following years of adjournment.
“I am delighted that the Commonwealth family can finally be reunited, four years on from our last CHOGM in London. Our meetings in Rwanda will give us a real opportunity to reaffirm the values that bind the Commonwealth together and focus on vital issues, including the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, tackling climate change and poverty, boosting trade and promoting sustainable development – all issues that can only be dealt with decisively through multilateral cooperation and mutual support,” she stated.
“We have adapted throughout the pandemic, holding ministerial meetings online. It is with great joy and anticipation that I look ahead to a face-to-face Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting,” Scotland added.
Scotland has also commended the Government and people of Rwanda for their outstanding commitment and dedication to delivering an exemplary CHOGM in Kigali.
“I thank all Rwandans for their grace and fortitude in undertaking such detailed preparations to ensure a safe, secure and productive CHOGM that drives the Commonwealth forward in these trying times,” she said.
The upcoming CHOGM due in Kigali will be the first to be held in Africa for over a decade.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent and equal sovereign states. The Commonwealth spans the globe and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. Thirty-two of members are small states, many of which are island nations.
Its Secretariat supports member countries to build democratic and inclusive institutions, strengthen governance and promote justice and human rights.
The Commonwealth work helps to grow economies and boost trade, deliver national resilience, empower young people and address threats such as climate change, debt and inequality.
Member countries are supported by a network of more than 80 intergovernmental, civil society, cultural and professional organisations.
Sankara appealed for leniency on Monday 31st January 2022 appearing before the Court of Appeal along with co-accused individuals convicted of terrorism charges.
On 20th September 2021, the High Court Special Chamber for International and Cross-border crimes convicted former President of MRCD-FLN terrorist group, Paul Rusesabagina of terrorism charges and handed him 25-year jail term while Callixte Nsabimana alias Sankara, the former spokesperson for the terror group was sentenced to 20 years behind bars.
The remaining nineteen co-accused individuals were sentenced from three to 20 years.
Following the ruling, the accused, plaintiffs and the Prosecution were given 30 days for appeal.
Later on, it was said that 13 of convicts and 74 survivors of FLN attacks who sought compensation expressed dissatisfaction with the judgment separately and filed an appeal.
During trial proceedings, 94 survivors of the attacks sought over Rwf1 billion but the court resolved that few of them would get compensated and the amount was below demanded compensation. Towards the end of last year; the Prosecutor General, Aimable Havugiyaremye said that the appeal was filed following dissatisfaction with verdicts.
He also revealed that the Prosecution was not happy with the acquittal of Rusesabagina on the formation of an irregular armed group and handed sentence among others.
Rusesabagina who did not appeal against the 25-year jail term, had boycotted the court during trial proceedings citing zero expectation of fair trial.
The convicts faced charges including the formation of an irregular armed group, membership of a terrorist group, financing terrorism, murder as an act of terrorism, arson as an act of terrorism, attempted murder as an act of terrorism, and assault and battery as an act of terrorism.
The crimes were committed since 2018 when MRDC/FLN combatants plotted attacks to Rwanda which claimed lives of nine innocent residents in the Southern Province.
They left many others gravely injured, and caused significant material and economic damage in South-West Rwanda.
As the appeal hearing resumed on 31st January 2022, only 19 convicts appeared before court in-person while Matakamba Jean Berchmans attended virtually from Mageragere Prison.
Today’s court session saw the accused appealing against their sentence. It was postponed on 28th January 2022 due to the absence of Herman Twajamahoro, the defense lawyer of three convicts.
Appearing before the court, seven of the accused individuals have requested lenient punishment while five sought suspended sentence.
The seven individuals seeking lenient punishment requested the court to consider different reasons including the fact that they are brought to court for the first time, pleading guilty during interrogations and trial in substance.
Sankara said the court needs to consider that the 20-year jail term deprived him of his chance to be reintegrated into Rwandan community, that he would complete the sentence in his advanced ages (57).
Sankara told the court that he endured suffering since he was aged 12 when he lost both parents and six siblings.
He told the court that having publicly distanced himself against his political party RRM and MRCD/FLN, his poor health conditions suffering from blood pressure and stomachache should be considered to hand him a lenient punishment.
Sankara said that he became an enemy of countries he accused of having supported FLN including Burundi, Uganda and the former President of Zambia, Edgar Lungu noting that he has become a changed man who want to be loyal to the Government of Rwanda where he is assured of safety and contribute to national development.
Among others, the former FLN spokesperson requested the court to consider the fact that there are FLN combatants who were taken to Mutobo Demobilization Center as well as other Genocide suspects who received lenient punishments and reintegrated into the Rwandan community after pleading guilty and apologizing.
“As I have been doing it during interrogation, to the Prosecution, High Court and in front of you, I apologize again for what happened and promise you to become an exemplary citizen, abiding by all laws of the country once you grant me the chance of receiving a reduced sentence to be reintegrated into Rwandan community,” Sankara said.
His defence lawyer, Jean Rugeyo also supported his clients’ request highlighting that Sankara has become a changed man ready to contribute to his nation’s development with no intentions to drag himself into criminal acts again.
The Presiding Judge, François Regis Rukundakuvuga asked Rugeyo what he thinks is inappropriate in the High Court’s decision. He replied that the court did not reduce the jail term as per client’s wishes.
Sankara said that he doesn’t want to be acquitted because he is aware of the severity of the crimes he committed but requested for a kind of punishment that rehabilitates him into a more responsible citizen.
The Prosecution has requested the court to reject the appeal noting that it is not founded.
The Government of Rwanda closed the border with Uganda in March 2019. At the time, Rwanda had started accusing Uganda of supporting dissidents intending to threaten its security and illegally incarcerating Rwandans who were also subjected to torture on accusations of being spies.
[The Government of Rwanda announced the decision to reopen the border->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-to-reopen-gatuna-border-post-with-uganda] on 28th January 2022 through a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The development was reached few days following the visit to Rwanda of Lieutenant General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations and Commander of Land Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) on 22nd January 2022 where he held talks with President Paul Kagame on restoring bilateral ties to normal.
As IGIHE visited the border on 30th January 2022, preparations for the long-awaited reopening were underway that Rwanda started receiving nationals returning from Uganda.
On the side of Uganda, the upgrading of border infrastructures is ongoing to serve as many as possible passengers.
The former President of the African Development Bank, Donald Kaberuka is among Rwandans who crossed the border for the first time after reopening.
He was heading to Kabale in Uganda to attend the burial of Emmanuel Mutebile, who previously served as the Governor of Uganda’s Central Bank.
Speaking to RBA, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda, Alain Mukuralinda has said that the reopening of Gatuna border is a great milestone to the normalization of bilateral relations but reminded citizens that it does not completely put an end to issues they have been facing.
He however observed that the move serves as the beginning of a process to bring the situation back to normal.
Facilities for COVID-19 tests have been set up at Gatuna border like other borders linking Rwanda to Uganda.
Gatuna is the first reopened among three land borders connecting Rwanda to Uganda. The remaining borders include Kagitumba and Cyanika. Before the reopening, passengers travelled to Uganda by flight.
Police and local authorities found them congregating at the home of one Marie Rose Nyirahuku, at about 2pm.
All the violators were tested for Covid-19 test, with two of them being positive.
The Southern region Police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire said that Police was tipped off by some concerned local residents.
“Residents in Kigeme reported a big group of people, who were congregating at the home of Nyirahuku and making loud noise. An operation was swiftly conducted and they were found overcrowded praying and without face masks,” said SP Kanamugire.
“Out of the 175 violators, who came from different sectors, two tested positive, which raises more concerns about the likely spread among other congregators.
Two people have not taken the Covid-19 jabs while other six had taken only one shot,” he added.
Religious services are only allowed in places of worship that were authorized to resume after fulfilling the required safety measures, but only those who are fully vaccinated are allowed to attend the services.
SP Kanamugire thanked residents, who reported the violations and warned those, who continue to disregard the national efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19 but rather spread it.
The violators were also educated on Covid-19 prevention health measures, tested at own cost, and handed administrative fines while others were vaccinated.
