The alleged bribe was meant to influence the officer to illegally release his motorcycle, according to the Western region Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi.
Niyobuhungiro’s motorcycle had been impounded in the ongoing investigations over the theft of goats in Kamembe.
“Residents reported to the leadership of the taxi-moto cooperative in Rusizi that the motorcycle, RE 611L was seen transporting stolen goats,” said CIP Karekezi.
He added: “In the morning of Monday, while riding his motorcycle in Kamembe sector, Niyobuhungiro saw security personnel of their cooperative following him, he just abandoned his motorcycle and run away.
The security personnel impounded the moto and took it to Kamembe Police station. Niyobuhungiro instead decided to go to the Police station where he tried to seduce the officer on duty with the bribe of Frw5, 000 to release his motorcycle, but he was taken into custody for the alleged criminal act.”
CIP Karekezi warned against such criminal practices, which leads to imprisonment and to serve many years in prison for the “avoidable act.”
The suspect was handed over to RIB at Kamembe station for further investigation and 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.
New positive cases have been on steady rise after the country confirmed the emergence of a new variant of COVID-19 dubbed Omicron.
The 2083 were detected among 22,797 sample tests taken on 29th December 2021. They are an addition to more 128,404 tests conducted in one week.
The statement released last night shows that 22 patients have been admitted bringing the total number of people admitted at treatment centers to 76 in seven days while five are critically ill.
The country has also reported zero COVID-19 deaths while the death toll in seven days remained four.
Overall, a total of 1348 have succumbed to the virus since the pandemic emerged in Rwanda last year in March.
Among others; over 7.6 million people have received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine while 5,467,913 have been fully vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program on 5th March 2021.
Minister Sameh has come to Rwanda for an official visit. As he met with Dr. Biruta, the two Ministers exchanged on issues of common interest and committed to further strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
The discussions were also attended by the ambassador of Egypt to Rwanda, Rania Mahmoud Mohamed EL Banna.
Sameh comes to Rwanda following the recent visit of the Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces, Lt Gen Mohamed Farid towards the end May 2021.
At the time, Lt.Gen Mohamed Farid and his delegation held bilateral discussions with the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Gen J Bosco Kazura at RDF Headquarters, Kimihurura.
Discussions were centered on enhancing the existing cooperation. He also paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Defence, Maj General Albert Murasira.
Rwanda and Egypt have been working on ways to strengthen bilateral ties and further mutual interests in economy and trade, as well as defence and security.
Rwanda has been sending some students to Egypt for military courses.
Both countries recently signed agreements paving the way for the construction of a cardio therapy facility to be built at Masaka, Kicukiro district. The facility will carry out the major functions of medical diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology.
The ceremony to lay the foundation stone for the construction of this facility was held on Wednesday 29th December 2021.
The convicts, all men were convicted of Genocide related crimes and had either completed their sentences or were acquitted.
According to a statement released on December 27, 2021, Niger’s Interior Ministry ordered them to leave the country within seven days.
The ex-convicts are Protais Zigiranyirazo, Francois Nzuwonemeye, Innocent Sagahutu, Alphonse Nteziryayo, Tharcisse Muvunyi, André Ntagerura, Anatole Nsengiyumva and Prosper Mugiraneza.
They are widely considered among the masterminds of the genocide.
After the conclusion of their cases, they remained in Arusha, Tanzania where the UN court was based.
Their expulsion by Niamey came after an inquiry by the Rwandan government to the UN Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT) seeking clarification about circumstances under which the eight were transferred to the West African country of Niger.
While addressing a UN Security Council meeting in New York in early December, Valentine Rugwabiza, Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said that her country had not been informed by either the MICT or the host nation about the transfer of the genocidaires in question.
She pointed out that there was evidence that some of these individuals, after their acquittal by the former ICTR, have been engaging in subversive activities that contributed to the insecurity and instability of the Great Lakes Region for the past few decades.
The eight men had for long been stuck in Arusha, the former seat of the ICTR, after many countries had refused to take them in, including those hosting their families.
Previously, Rwanda said they may come back home to Rwanda if they so wish.
The support was extended to beneficiaries during ‘Police Month’ organized annually to mark its anniversary.
The 2021 Police Month held under the theme “21 years of partnership in policing towards sustainable safety and better livelihood for the community,” was concluded on Tuesday 28th December 2021 where RNP handed over different projects to the disadvantaged beneficiaries across the country.
The projects include 30 houses for the disadvantaged families, 4,578 households lit with solar power system while 11 cooperatives in fishing, beekeeping, piggery and poultry were also given financial support.
RNP in partnership with City of Kigali also awarded a pick-up vehicle to Bumbogo Sector of Gasabo District for its outstanding efforts to raise awareness to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Others include 1,600 families across the country that were given medical insurance, 13 modern cattle spray races were also constructed in Nyagatare, Gatsibo and Kayonza; and four families in Gishari, Rwamagana District were given heifers.
In the Western Province, the official closing of the Police Month held in Rubavu was presided over by Governor Francois Habitegeko, who was accompanied by the Deputy IGP in charge of Administration and Personnel, Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza.
At least six cooperatives in fishing, hog farming and poultry in Rubavu were given a financial support of over Frw40 million. The cooperatives were formed by former smugglers and those who were formerly engaged in other illegal activities.
A total of 1379 households were also powered with solar energy in the Western region where seven families were also given houses.
Governor Habitegeko lauded the impact of Police Month in further transforming lives and crime prevention in the region.
“We continue to see the impact community policing and this is one of the many activities that the Police engages in to ensure progressive and crime-free communities,” said Governor Habitegeko.
He appealed to residents to fight against cross border crimes and work with Police and other security organs against any sort of insecurity.
DIGP Ujeneza said that the outreach activities strengthen beneficiaries’ efforts to improve the well-being of Rwandans as well as fighting criminality.
“Rwandans and beneficiaries in particular, are our first partners. This is an example that you can stop whatever illegal activities you are doing and engage in developmental acts. As beneficiaries, continue to mobilize others to refrain from criminal acts like smuggling and drug dealing,” DIGP Ujeneza said.
In City of Kigali, Mayor Pudence Rubingisa, while handing over the vehicle, said that the conclusion of the Police Month should not be perceived as the end of the fight against the pandemic and lawlessness.
Present was also DIGP in charge of Operations, Felix Namuhoranye.
“The Police Month brought innovative ideaa against Covid-19, fighting and preventing crimes while supporting community development. We thank our Police for these progressive foundations, which we should carry on even as Police Month comes to an end,” Mayor Rubingisa said.
Meanwhile, in the Northern Province, Governor Dancilla Nyirarugero, while addressing residents of Burera District, thanked RNP for the initiative and called upon citizens for joining their efforts in fighting criminal acts.
“The Police Month has offered basic necessities like shelter, medical insurance and strengthened cooperatives in this district, like in other parts of the country. These impact on socio-economic development and it is also a challenge of what you as the residents should be doing to fight whatever that can destroy such development activities,” Nyirarugero told the residents.
Five beekeeping cooperatives in the Nothern Province were given 150 beehives, including 40 in Burera District alone. 732 households were also lit with solar power system in the province.
In the Eastern Province, Governor CG Emmanuel K. Gasana said that the Police Month and the RNP community development engagements in such period of the pandemic, define the country’s governance system that focuses mainly on the wellbeing of the citizens.
RNP powered 1, 458 households with solar energy in the Eastern Province and 1000 residents given healthcare insurance.
“These outreach activities are invaluable… they strengthen the community policing initiatives and other networks the institution set to support the government development programmes. Such home-grown solutions are the foundation and national pillars to sustainable human security,” said CG Gasana.
In the Southern Province, the event was held in Muhanga District where Governor Alice Kayitesi handed over different projects and urged the residents to partner with the police and other security organs to ensure community safety.
“The partnership between the Police and people in the Southern Province continue to transform lives and today were witnessing another milestone towards sustainable security and development,” said Governor Kayitesi.
The man who worked as a cowherd was found dead in the morning of Monday 27th December 2021.
The mayor of Nyanza district, Erasme Ntazinda has told IGIHE that the young was found dead in apparent suicide.
“He committed suicide last night. We are assuming that he committed suicide because residents found pesticides inside the room where his body was laid. However, investigation is underway,” he said on Monday.
Ntazinda revealed that Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has arrested a man who stayed with the deceased for interrogation.
The national carrier has through a statement revealed that affected customers will be refunded.
“Affected passengers will be re-routed, refunded or allowed to change their tickets to a later date at no extra cost,” reads part of the statement.
Like other airlines, RwandAir has had to temporarily suspend flights to some destinations at different times during the challenging times of COVID-19, to prevent the spread of the virus.
Rwanda National Police (RNP) has sounded a fresh call to the general public to refrain from behavours and practices that continue to fuel further spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that some people continue to disregard the governement prevention directives and health guidelines to engage in prohibited or banned activities, where in some cases those infected end up infecting others.
“On Christmas Day alone, Police recorded 4,600 people across the country, who violated the directives. They include those who were holding illegal gatherings, overcrowded in taxi-parks, not wearing face masks, violating the curfew, operating bars without authorisation, and hosting house parties,” CP Kabera said.
“Comply with the directives without any exception. There are those, who were arrested visiting people, who tested positive for Covid-19 and under home care and those who hold parties. Sadly, these people ended up contracting the virus and spreading it to others, which we view as intentional spread of the virus, and which amounts to a criminal act,” he added.
He singled out two recent cases in Nyarugunga Sector, Kicukiro District where in incidents people were visiting Covid-19 positives friends.
“Sixteen people were recently arrested gathering in a house of a Covid-19 patient in Nyarugunga sector, Kicukiro District, and tests for three of them later turned positive. It was the same in the night of Christmas also in Nyarugunga where another group was caught visiting a positive person and were found drinking together. The law criminalizes such acts done intentionally and they will face the legal process.”
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CP Kabera, however, pointed out that the general security situation remains calm in this festive period with no serious incidents and called for continued cooperation and information sharing on anything that can affect the security and wellbeing of the people in their communities or businesses.
Kagame made the remarks today as he delivered the State of the Nation Address.
It is usually delivered during the annual National Dialogue Council ‘Umushyikirano’ which was recently canceled for the second time.
The President said that the country managed challenges related to security, health and economy in 2021.
To protect Rwandans against emerging health threats, Kagame said that the country has so far vaccinated 80% of its population who received at least one dose of COVID-19.
He thanked all those who have been involved in the critical exercise, including partners who have provided vaccines and other support.
The Head of State revealed that Rwanda’s economy experienced strong growth which the country expected to sustain.
Among others, Kagame thanked farmers for their contribution to sufficient food reserves, urged recently elected local leaders on efficient service delivery and warned security threat architects noting that whoever intends to destabilize Rwandans’ security will be held accountable.
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We have come to the end of the second year of living with COVID-19 pandemic.
Our country has had to learn fast, and adjust to the new challenges of this health threat as it evolves,. However , we have made a good progress and the state of our nation remains strong.
I want to thank all Rwandans for your hard work, and commitment to the development and wellbeing of each other and of our country, particularly, during these challenging times.
This year, Rwanda has had to manage many challenges, including in the health, economic and security sectors.
One important way that we have sought to protect Rwandans, is through comprehensive nationwide vaccination against COVID-19.
So far, 80% of our population aged 12 years and above, have received at least one vaccine dose.
We thank all those who have been involved in this critical exercise, including our partners who have provided vaccines and other support.
Going forward, we must be more self-reliant, and better prepared for future shocks.
This is why we are partnering with the African Union and the European Union as well as other companies like BioNTech, to manufacture vaccines and other pharmaceuticals in Rwanda starting next year.
As a result of prudent decisions made this year, Rwanda’s economy experienced strong growth which we expected to sustain.
The Economic Recovery Fund, totalling Rwf100 billion Rwandan Francs so far has allowed the most affected businesses including the tourism, and hospitality sector to stay open, and keep Rwandans employed.
We have mobilized additional funds for the second phase of this program which will support existing investments, and new ones.
I want to take this opportunity to thank our tax payers, who continued to contribute to Rwanda’s economic development, despite the pandemic. COVID-19 has reinforced the linkage between technology and economic growth.
Rwanda’s early investments in digitization, have proven to be an asset preventing our society from being crippled by this pandemic and future ones.
We encourage all Rwandans, especially our young people, to continue to innovate and create solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.
After many disruptions, Rwandan schools reopened. And stayed opened for a significant part of this year.
Students were able to sit for national exams during the lockdown, and move on to the next phase of their education.
Local Government elections took place after being postponed.
We now expect a lot form the elected officials, the most important being service delivery to citizens
The agriculture sector continues to be key, contributing 25% to the national economy in 2021.
Rwanda remains food secure, with sufficient reserves.
I would like to thank our farmers for their resilience in these times , despite the many challenges in travel and gathering,
Rwanda was able to host important events this year, including the inaugural Basketball Africa League , amongst other meetings.
A significant factor in Rwanda’s continued economic progress, is our strong collaboration with partner institutions and countries , Regional and continental integration, remains at the forefront of our agenda.
We are strengthening existing bilateral ties, with countries in our region and beyond as well as exploring new, mutually beneficial areas of cooperation.
This includes partnerships to address security challenge, including in Central African Republic and Mozambique.
Rwanda is able to pursue these forms of cooperation because the security and stability of our country, is assured and remains a top priority,
Part of this, is ensuring that anyone who threatens the safety and security of Rwandans, is brought to justice and held accountable.
Let us continue working together, and build on what we have already achieved.
I wish you, and your loved ones, a peaceful, healthy and happy end of year.
He was killed in the night of Christmas 25th December 2021.
Nshimiyimana’s body was seen in the morning of 26th December in Karere village, Gacaca cell, Rubengera sector.
Residents rushed to alert local leaders and security officials, whereafter, Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) arrested eight people who had shared drink with the deceased and returned home together with him on Christmas.
The executive secretary of Rubengera sector, Medald Nkusi has told IGIHE that his body was seen with wounds in the chest raising suspicion that he might have been stabbed.
“We request residents to provide information on time and avoid disputes that can trigger similar incidents. They should seek assistance from local leaders to solve disputes,” he said.
Nshimiyimana who worked as a porter leaves a woman and three children.
