Munyenyezi’s trial in substance was scheduled to begin on Thursday 6th January 2022.
The Spokesperson of Rwanda’s Judiciary, Harrison Mutabazi has told IGIHE that the trial in substance has been postponed due to unavailability of defense lawyers.
He disclosed that Munyenyezi’s defense lawyers informed the court about
Following the decision to adjourn the trial on 9th December 2021, Munyenyezi’s defense lawyers informed the court that they would not make it as they had other clients to assist on the same date.
“The court accepted their request and adjourned the trial to 18th January 2022 from 8a.m,” Mutabazi said.
Munyenyezi is facing seven charges linked to her role in the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and crimes against humanity.
These include manslaughter as Genocide crime, preparation of Genocide, direct or indirect mobilization to perpetrate Genocide, conspiracy during Genocide, extermination as a crime against humanity and conspiracy to commit rape.
Munyenyezi was deported to Rwanda from the United States on 16th April 2021 and appeared before court towards the end of same month.
The new measures have been put in place following the confirmation of COVID-19 Omicron variant identified through genomic sequencing of samples collected from travelers and their contacts.
The new directives released by the Ministry of Health read that all arriving travelers must present COVID-19 negative test results.
Only RT-PCR tests taken within 72 hours are allowed for arriving passengers.
“All travelers arriving in Rwanda must have a negative Covid-19 certificate. The only accepted test is a SARS-CoV 2 Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction [RT-PCR] performed within 72 hours prior to departure (meaning travelers must be tested and get results within 3 days of their first flight).
Other tests, such as Rapid Diagnostics Tests [RDTs], are not accepted. COVID-19 Test is not mandatory for accompanied children under 5 years. Incoming travelers eligible [aged 12 years and above] for Covid-19 vaccine are encouraged to be fully vaccinated before their travel,” reads part of the statement.
As per new directives, all arriving passengers must quarantine for 3 days at a designated hotel at their own cost. A Covid-19 PCR test will be taken upon arrival.
Testing on Day 3 will be both Antigen Rapid Test and PCR Test. People will be released from quarantine on Day 3 upon rapid test results as per the national guidelines while Rapid test will be free of charge.
{{Subsidized COVID-19 testing cost }}
The Government of Rwanda has announced that RT-PCR test at the airport will cost US$60 including US50 and US$10 for specific logistics instead of current cost of Rwf 57,200 for each test..
“In order to facilitate Rwandan citizens to test regularly for Covid-19 and to know their status, including Rwandans returning home for end of year holidays, the Government of Rwanda will subsidize the cost of Covid-19 tests,” adds the statement.
For the mandatory RT-PCR test taken on Day 7, Rwandan citizens will pay Rwf 30,000 or US$30 instead of current cost of Rwf 47,200 for each test.
Among others, all arriving travelers are required to pay the cost of both mandatory RT-PCR tests of arrival and of Day 3 of quarantine on arrivals at Kigali International Airport but sample collection for day 3 tests will be conducted at the designated hotel. PCR Test of Day 7 will be done from designated testing sites at own cost.
All travelers arriving or transiting in Rwanda must complete the passenger locator form and upload the Covid-19 PCR test certificate before heading to the airport.
All travelers transiting for more than 12 hours through Rwanda will be screened upon entry and take a second Covid-19 PCR test on arrival. Sample collection will be conducted at the airport upon arrival and passenger will wait for the results at the designated transit hotel. The Covid-19 Test Results for transiting passengers for more than 12 hours will be fast-tracked so that passengers can get the results before their next flight.
All transiting travelers who are not leaving the airport for less than 12 hours will be screened upon entry and not required to take a second test. However, the latter is not applicable for transiting passengers by land border. In that case, passengers will be tested using RT-PCR Test and waiting for the results from the designated transit hotels before proceeding.
{{Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination certificate for departing passengers}}
The new directives also read that all travelers departing from Rwanda must test negative for COVID-19. The only accepted test is a SARS-CoV 2 Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) performed within 72 hours before departure.
The PCR test must be performed by the Rwanda Biomedical Center/National Reference Laboratory, Provincial or District Hospitals. Other tests, such as Rapid Diagnostics Tests (RDTs), are not accepted while COVID-19 Test is not mandatory for accompanied children under 5 years.
Travelers have been encouraged to book and pay for their tests at least 2 days prior to departure.
Rwandans travelers eligible (aged 12 years and above) for Covid-19 vaccine departing from Rwanda must also be fully vaccinated while travelers are not allowed to go to the airport without negative COVID-19 PCR test results.
Latest statistics form the Ministry of Health show that over 116,000 people have caught COVID-19 while 1362 succumbed to the virus since it emerged in Rwanda in March 2020.
Citizens are reminded of the critical importance of adhering to instituted health guidelines namely; washing hands, proper wearing of face masks and keeping social distancing among others.
“The worshippers belong to different religious denominations and had come from the sectors of Tumba, Mukura, and Gishamvu in Huye District and Kansi Sector in Gisagara District,” said SP Theobald Kanamugire, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said.
The congregation was headed by one Jean Nzabonayo, 40, from Pentecostal church, who was also arrested. Eleven of them were also children.
“Being fully vaccinated is one of the requirements for one to go to church, and I am not vaccinated. This is why we decided to meet in the forest to pray together since we cannot be allowed to enter into our churches,” claimed Nzabonayo.
The mayor for Huye District, Ange Sebutege, while speaking to the violators, warned against such inappropriate practices and urged residents to abide by the government directives to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
“Get vaccinated and go to your respective churches that were allowed to resume services. This is unacceptable and anyone that engage in prohibited practices will be held accountable. Vaccination is for your safety from Covid-19,” Mayor Sebutege said.
The violators were tested for COVID-19 at own cost and fined accordingly.
The Regional Police Civic Education Officer (RPCEO) for the Northern region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Alex Ndayisenga said that Sagamba’s vehicle had a broken windscreen and had been asked to replace it before he is given a certificate.
“Sagamba himself knew that the fore windscreen damaged. Instead of fixing it, he approached a police officer who was inspecting vehicles at the center, tried to seduce him with a bribe of Frw15,000 so as to ignore the status of the fore windscreen and give him the inspection certificate. Sagamba was arrested red-handed given the bribe after the officer reported to his superiors,” CIP Ndayisenga said.
He warned against such criminal tendences, which can contribute to accidents and loss of lives.
“Police services are provided in a transparent process, so if you are legally allowed a service, you will get it. If you attempt to influence officers to give you a service through illegal channels, you will be arrested to face the law,” the RPCEO said.
Sagamba was handed over to RIB at Muhoza station for further legal process.
Under article 4 of law n° 54/2018 of 13/08/2018 on fighting against corruption, any person who 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 years but not more than seven years with a fine of three to five times the value of the illegal benefit offered, solicited or received.
Penalties provided under this article also apply to a person, who offers or promises to offer a benefit, by any means, an illegal benefit for him/ herself or another person to have a service rendered or omitted.
Former senator Zephyrin Kalimba breathed the last at King Faysal Hospital in the night of Sunday.
Senate President, Dr. Augustin Iyamuremye has condoled with the bereaved family and comforted them during these difficult times.
“He was a dedicated senator who also worked with organizations advocating for human rights and improved wellbeing of citizens particularly historically marginalized people,” he said.
“He was a zealous senator who performed his duties with diligence that everyone admired him,” added Dr. Iyamuremye.
{{Indelible memory to colleagues}}
The Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE), Dr. Jean Damascène Bizimana is among officials who sent condolences to stand in solidarity with the bereaved family.
He has via Twitter handle described Kalimba as an honest man who always shared constructive ideas.
“I remember the truthfulness that characterized you in Senate and sharing of ideas constructive to Rwanda. May your family stay strong during these times of sorrow. We stand in solidarity with you,” Dr. Bizimana said.
Tito Rutaremara also worked with late Kalimba for eight years.
They also worked together in the Senatorial Standing Committee on Political Affairs and Governance.
They were both part of RPF Inkotanyi environment protection committee since 2019.
Rutaremara described him as a zealous man who was keen on finding a solution for citizens’ concerns.
“He was a courageous and committed worker who sympathized with citizens. Kalimba was far sighted with wide experience to dig deeper into root causes of problems affecting communities, “he said.
Apollinaire Mushinzimana who also worked with Kalimba revealed that continuously advocating for citizens prompted the Senate to conduct thorough research to identify problems affecting historically marginalized people.
“He was much concerned about problems facing rural communities. Kalimba often drew attention on climate change effects that hinder farmers from increasing agricultural yields,” he stated.
Rutaremara further disclosed that some members of the public including those who could not afford Mutuelle de Santé would meet Kalimba at the parliament to file their concerns.
“He used to give attention to citizens with different concerns every morning. These include people seeking support, women failing to cater for school fees or spouses mired in disputes. Kalimba would follow up on these issues despite other heavy duties he had to perform at the Senate.
There are citizens who used to seek financial support from him, some of whom had children in need of medical attention while others had expiring community based health insurance. He would often use his money to support them because he was a Good Samaritan,” he said.
{{Brief history}}
Zephyrin Kalimba held different positions before and after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
He worked for gendarmerie, para-military policing unit during the pre-Genocide period and led the Rwandese Community of Potters.
Kalimba is among activists who advocated for the rights of historically marginalized people.
He headed the International Alliance of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Tropical Forests in 1997.
Kalimba was among eight senators appointed by President of the Republic in 2012 and held the position until his tenure ended in 2020.
Kalimba died at the age of 63. He leaves a woman and nine children.
He was born in Ruhango district in Southern Province where he studied and pursued secondary education at Karubanda Junior Seminary.
In 1978, he became a gendarme (paramilitary police officer) at the regime of President Juvenal Habyarima for four years and eight months and later worked in the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Kalimba later founded associations that advocated for human rights, particularly, the historically marginalized people.
He also established different schools and organizations supporting people with vulnerable backgrounds particularly historically marginalized ones.
Kalimba will be laid to rest on Thursday 6th January 2021.
The laptops were handed over on Tuesday 4th January 2022 to all cells executive secretaries of Bugesera district during an event graced by the Governor of Eastern Province, Emmanuel Gasana.
After receiving laptops, the grass root leaders revealed that the lack of laptops would delay or hamper services like civil registration, classification of residents in Ubudehe social class categories among others.
“Received laptop will help me place residents in social classes and provide work report on time,” said Leatitie Murebwanayo, the executive secretary of Kabeza cell in Rilima sector.
The executive secretary of Cyintambwe cell located in Rweru sector, Jean Marie Vianney Hategekimana said that received laptop will help improve service delivery and commended President of the Republic for his visionary leadership.
The Governor of Eastern Province, Emmanuel Gasana has underscored that these laptops will help beneficiaries to save documents electronically.
“The world is going digital that we need to adapt to emerging technologies to improve services. These laptops will be helpful to efficiently keep identification related data electronically and enhance services in daily assignments,” he said.
These laptops will be mainly used in civil registration and finalization of court cases electronically among others.
Sinamenye was stabbed to death on Saturday 1st January 2022 in Taba village, Bubangu cell of Murambi sector in Rulindo district.
Preliminary investigation identified Dusanganywinema as the prime suspect who has been at large since the crime was committed.
Two days after a manhunt was launched against him, Dusanganywinema who worked as a griller was arrested in Kamatamu cell of Jabana sector in Gasabo district.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Alex Ndayisenga, the Political and Civic Education Officer in Northern Province has thanked relevant authorities involved in the process and members of the general public who provided information that led the arrest.
“It is true that the man has been arrested in collaboration with relevant security organs including Police, Rwanda Investigation Bureau [RIB] and citizens who provided tip off leading to his arrest. He has been handed over to RIB for further legal process,” he said.
CIP Ndayisenga has urged residents to abide by laws and stand against criminal acts that could result into similar incidents.
The Law Nº68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offences and penalties in its article 107 stipulates that anyone killing a person intentionally commits a crime. Upon conviction, he/she is liable to life imprisonment.
The article 111 of the same Law stipulates that killing a person unintentionally attracts between six months and two-year jail term and a fine between Rwf500,000 and Rwf2 million.
They include drivers and motorcyclists, who were driving or riding under the influence of alcohol.
Bizumuremyi Pierre Celestin, one of the drivers paraded, admitted that he had taken alcohol before driving and advised other drivers to respect traffic regulations.
“I was arrested on Friday, at about 9:30 pm, I was driving from work going back home before the curfew starts, but I had taken alcohol,” said Bizumuremyi.
To Vianney Magorane, who tested 0.91 millilitres of blood alcohol content, he said that he had taken a bottle of beer before he was arrested driving at about 9pm.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rene Irere, the spokesperson for Traffic and Road Safety (TRS) Department, said that Police has heightened operations targeting drunk driving.
“Driving under influence of alcohol is among the major causes of accidents which cannot be tolerated. Drivers and motorcyclists were sensitized many times to avoid driving when they drink. Consequently, Police scaled-up operations against those who keep deaf ear,” said SSP Irere.
SSP Irere called upon motorists to put their lives first to avoid driving when they drink.
They were seized in separate Rwanda National Police (RNP) operations in partnership with local leaders and residents, conducted in the last four months.
The psychotropic drinks valued at over Frw2 million include Gubwa neza, Bonne chance, Ubuzima ntabwo, Imanzi, Gikundiro Tangawizi and Isano Ginger Drink.
The drinks were produced without approval from Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) and used prohibited and harmful ingredients.
Article 5 of the Ministerial order Nº 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation classifies alcoholic drinks produced without complying with standards and other laws; on the list of simple narcotic drugs.
Article 263 of law No. 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offenses and penalties in general states that any person, who unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than seven years and not more than ten years and a fine of not less than Rwf5 million and less than Rwf10 million in regard to “simple narcotics.”
The public destruction exercise was held in BwizaVillage, Nyabikokora Cell of Kirehe Sector after a communal work commonly known as ‘Umuganda’ conducted in partnership with members of Rwanda Youth Volunteers in Community Policing (RYVCP) from Kirehe and Kigina sectors.
Over 7,000 trees were planted around Kirehe District headquarters as part of the national environmental protection programme.
Bruno Rangira, the Mayor for Kirehe District embarked on the ill-effects of outlawed and substandard drinks to health and security.
He urged the residents to support security efforts against illegal production sites and bars selling illicit drinks.
“You have heard of the ill-effects of drinking illicit brew, including loss of lives. Everyone has the responsibility to fight these drinks by reporting producers and bars selling them,” said Mayor Rangira.
The District Police Commander (DPC) for Kirehe, Superintendent of Police (SP) Jean Berchmas Dusengimana, urged the public to refrain from drinking such harmful drinks and report.
“The illicit drinks destroyed today were seized in separate operations conducted within four months from 15 dealers,” the DPC said.
The DPC thanked members of youth volunteers for their participation in security and development activities, including raising awareness and fighting the spread of Covid-19.
Following the mining accident, the owner of the mining site was immediately arrested over running operations without licensing.
Kamonyi district vice mayor for economic affairs, Uzziel Niyongira has told IGIHE that the three people injured are receiving medical treatment at Remera Rukoma Hospital.
“The three people injured in the accident are receiving treatment at Remera Rukoma Hospital while the deceased has been taken to district hospital,” he said.
Niyongira further explained that the district has launched crackdown on mining sites operating without license to prevent similar health risks.
