The statement released last night shows that 61 people have caught the virus, five have recovered while five are critically ill.
A total of 1,712,081 people have been fully vaccinated while 2,865,234 received the first dose of COVID-19 since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program on 5th March 2021.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.
Dr. Habumuremyi was released one day after he was granted pardon by President Paul Kagame pursuant to the powers conferred upon him by the Constitution.
The pardon granted to the former Premier was announced through a cabinet communiqué released on Wednesday 13th October 2021.
Dr. Habumuremyi was handed three-year sentence after he was found guilty of issuing unguaranteed cheques.
During his trial, he asked forgiveness from President of the Republic and later sent him an apology letter.
Speaking to IGIHE, Dr. Habumuremyi voiced appreciation to Kagame for granting him mercy.
“I thank him for pardoning me because I was not expecting it. I just knew that I apologized from the bottom of my heart. Lucky enough, he has forgiven me as the President of the Republic. I warmly welcomed the mercy with great happiness,” he said.
Dr. Habumuremyi said that the apology letter also carried a message asking for forgiveness from all Rwandans.
“The prerogative of mercy granted to me is of great significance. It will always be engraved on my memory,” he revealed.
The former Premier said that he learnt a lot from prison that he won’t commit similar faults that opened prison’s doors for him. He also pledged to work with other Rwandans to build the nation.
The former Prime Minister was arrested in July 2020 following the closure of the Christian University of Rwanda (CHUR) to which he was owner and legal representative.
The university management was also accused of not paying lecturers and other employees, which had prompted an audit from the Higher Education Council.
Before closure by the Ministry of Education, his university had campuses in Kigali and another one in Karongi District.
Alleged crimes were in connection to anomalies in the management of the university where he was said to have accumulated millions of francs in debts to different suppliers to his university. The university management was also accused of not paying lecturers and other employees.
Dr. Habumuremyi owned 60 percent of the university’s shares, while his son owned 30 percent and the Vice-Chancellor 10 percent.
He was charged alongside Charles Serushyana, a former accountant of the university, but he was later acquitted.
The clemency nullifies the three-year jail term and Rwf892 fine that Dr. Habumuremyi was handed by Nyarugenge Intermediate Court on 27th November 2020.
He will however have to clear all debts he owed to plaintiffs.
Dr. Habumuremyi has told IGIHE that he will abide by laws and respect court’s resolutions.
Dr. Habumuremyi’s lawyer has said that his client has approximately Rwf30 million in debts because some plaintiffs have already received payments.
Habumuremyi served as Prime Minister of Rwanda from 7th October 2011 until 24th July 2014. Since 2015, Habumuremyi has served as the chairman of Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders and Decoration of Honour prior to his arrest.
Dr. Habumuremyi was born in Ruhondo, Musanze district on 20th February 1961. He pursued studies in different countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), France and Burkina Faso.
The CPC was part of the 23rd EAPCCO Annual General Meeting and it was held under the theme: “Enhancing law enforcement strategies in combating transnational organized crimes in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.”
EAPCCO is a regional 14-member bloc established in 1998 to strengthen police cooperation and joint strategies, share crime-related information and harmonize laws to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies to combat transnational organized crime.
The CPC discussed measures to enhance regional capacity and cooperation in combating organized crime, including emerging terrorism trends and implications in the region, countering terrorism and violent extremism as well as reviewing the implementation of EAPCCO adopted resolutions.
It also looked at the status of EAPCCO Regional Counter Terrorism Centre of Excellence (CTCoE), adopted and signed the Mifugo Protocol and EAPCCO CTCoE Establishment Agreement.
The Mifugo Protocol elaborates strategies to prevent, combat and eradicate cattle rustling in Eastern Africa.
The EAPCCO member countries are Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi, Comoros, DRC, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, Sudan, and Tanzania.
Kagame was speaking at the Global Business Forum Africa 2021 held in Dubai on Thursday 14th October 2021.
Despite the fact that COVID-19 brought unprecedented effects on African continent and the rest of the world, the President said that the pandemic is becoming more manageable as vaccine distribution improves globally.
“Travel and commerce are beginning to recover. However, we are not going back to the same economy that we knew in 2019. Some of the changes will be profound and lasting. The crisis in international shipping and transportation is already generating new thinking,” he noted.
As the world continues to recover, Kagame highlighted that manufacturing and supply chains will need to become more resilient, more local, and more technologically advanced and expressed optimism to make it possible through new innovations.
“Fourth Industrial Revolution innovations in artificial intelligence and 3D printing, for example, are making it possible to make products almost anywhere, at a competitive cost. Similarly, life-saving vaccines and other pharmaceuticals will increasingly be produced in a decentralized fashion, including in Rwanda, thanks to advances in engineering, and good partnerships with companies like BioNTech and others,” he said.
“These changes were already underway before the COVID-19 pandemic, but are now likely to accelerate,” added Kagame.
By the time the pandemic emerged, Kagame said that Africa was well-prepared in at least one important respect where the ‘African Continental Free Trade Area, which was decades in the making, had just entered its operational phase in July 2019’ as more efforts are underway.
“Africa is now the largest free trade area in the world, in terms of the number of countries, since the formation of the World Trade Organization. Last week, the 15th ratification of the African Medicines Agency treaty was deposited with the African Union, and the treaty will therefore come into force next month. The establishment of this body will be a game-changer for Africa’s ability to produce high-quality vaccines and medicines for our continent,” he noted.
Despite achieved milestone, the President highlighted that the progress of African economic integration will mean ‘more trade and investment between Africa and the rest of the world, not less’.
He pointed out an example of successful cooperation where the United Arab Emirates, and Dubai in particular, have long played a key role in linking Africa to the wider global economy noting that the inter-connectedness has been mutually beneficial ‘and we wish to continue to deepen those collaborations’.
Considering adverse effects of the pandemic to families, businesses and the anticipated journey to return to normalcy, Kagame also stressed the need to seize generated opportunities to strive for a better future.
“The Covid pandemic has been an extremely difficult period. Families and small businesses have experienced a great deal of loss. And while the worst may be behind us, the road back to normal is still long,” he affirmed.
“That is why we have a responsibility, amidst all this disruption, to maximize the strengths and assets that Africa does have. We must also strive to seize the new opportunities that have been generated to work with partners to build a more prosperous and cooperative future for all of us,” enthused Kagame.
The forum which took place from 13th to 14th October in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; GBF Africa offered businessmen and investors valuable insights and up-to-date information on a plethora of promising investment opportunities.
The forum also facilitates cooperation between business communities in Africa and the UAE to help African companies benefit from Dubai’s experience in building an integrated digital economy rooted in cutting-edge technologies.
During the exercise that began on Wednesday 13th October 2021 afternoon, the ministry donated notebooks, soaps, floor mats and roofing sheets to residents while Rwahi Health Center received a tent to be used during the ongoing inoculation program.
Donated 1145 roofing sheets are to be distributed to 54 vulnerable families and early childhood development center in the area.
The ministry also donated 220 kilograms of nails and 165 kgs of cables that will be used by residents to tighten roofs.
The heavy downpour destroyed 216 houses including residential houses, kitchens, buildings of a health center and fell off eight electric poles in Rulindo district.
The rain which poured down for about two hours ravaged buildings in the cells of Rutonde, Rubona and Kajangwe in Shyorongi sector of Rulindo district.
At the time, the mayor of Rulindo district, Emmanuel Kayiranga said that the assessment of damaged properties was ongoing.
“So far, we have registered a number of destroyed properties including two buildings of Rwahi Health Center, a kitchen at Muvumu Primary School, eight electric posts, 123 residential houses, 13 annex buildings, 32 latrines and three livestock sheds,” he said.
“The rain also destroyed crops including bananas planted on a hectare, beans on 0.7 hectare, maize on five hectares, cassava on 0.2 hectare and sweet potatoes on 0.3 hectare,” added Kayiranga.
He urged residents to tighten their houses’ roofs and support affected neighbors.
During the CIMIC medical week that concluded on Wednesday 13th October 2021, the RDF specialised medics in collaboration with Kenya Defence Force (KDF) provided free treatment in pediatrics, gynecology, internal medicine, general medicine, ophthalmology and dental.
When he visited the medical activities at Muumandu Health Center on Tuesday 12th October 2021, the High Commissioner of Rwanda to Kenya, Dr. Richard Masozera said the KDF and RDF collaboration demonstrated the EAC integration spirit.
Maj Gen S O Radina, KDF General Officer Commanding Border Security visited the RDF medical services at Muumandu Health Center and thanked the Rwandan Contingent for work done emphasizing that the local community benefited from Rwandans’ medical expertise.
“When the cooperation is good, it is our people who benefit” he said.
Col R Kiptoo, the Chair of EAC Defence Liaison Officers said the EAC secretariat was happy with the work done by respective EAC Armed Forces Contingents and was convinced that the activities contributed a lot in deepening and widening the cooperation between EAC member states.
He further noted that the patients who received these medical treatment were extremely satisfied with the services offered by RDF.
Obadiah Biraro had held the position since June 2011. The cabinet meeting held in 2016, extended his office term for more five years prior to his replacement.
The appointment is part of resolutions of the cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 13th October 2021 chaired by President Paul Kagame.
Another appointee is Nadine Umutoni Gatsinzi who has been named the Director General of National Child Development Agency (NCD).
He previously served as Kigali City vice mayor in charge of socio-economic affairs.
Among others, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Rose Muhisoni has been appointed the Deputy Commissioner General of Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) replacing Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza who recently moved to Rwanda National Police (RNP) as the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of Administration and Finance in April 2021.
ACP Muhisoni previously served as the Deputy Commissioner for Community Policing.
Misigaro was apprehended in Mugaruka II Village, Nyakagezi Cell, Gahara Sector in possession of 40 metres of electricity cables.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that information was provided by the affected residents, whose power lines connecting their homes were cut and cables stolen.
“There was power outage in the villages of Rurama and Rubira in Nyakagezi cell in the night of Octover 9th and 10th. When REG came to restore electricity, they realized that the main cable from the transformer had been cut and stolen. The cable was replaced and power restored,” CIP Twizeyimana said.
Since then, investigation commenced to identify and arrest those behind the vandalism of public infrastructure.
“Most residents pointed at Misigaro as the prime suspect. Indeed, when Police officers conducted a search at his house in the morning of October 12, they recovered a cable of about 40 meters long, and he was taken into custody,” CIP Twizeyimana further said.
This is the second time that Misigaro has been implicated in similar criminal activities this month.
He was handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Gatore station for further investigations and legal process.
Article 182 of the law relating to offences and penalties in general states that “any person, who maliciously demolishes or damages in any way, in whole or in part of construction, building, bridge, dams, water pipes and their routes, railway rails or any other means of communication or electric power infrastructure, wells or any other constructions, which do not belong to him/her, commits an offence.”
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than three (3) years and not more than five (5) years with a fine of not less than Rwf3 million and not more than Rwf5 million.
The statement released last night shows that 86 people have caught the virus out of 7714 sample tests, one recovered while four are critically ill.
A total of 1,707,418 people have been fully vaccinated while 2,738,816 received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program on 5th March 2021.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.
The pardon granted to Dr. Habumuremyi has been announced through a cabinet communiqué released on Wednesday 13th October 2021.
“Pursuant to the powers conferred upon him, His Excellency the President of the Republic granted pardon to Dr. Pierre Damien Habumuremyi,” reads part of the communiqué.
The former Prime Minister was arrested in July 2020 following the closure of the Christian University of Rwanda (CHUR) to which he was owner and legal representative.
The university management was also accused of not paying lecturers and other employees, which had prompted an audit from the Higher Education Council.
Before closure by the Ministry of Education, his university had campuses in Kigali and another one in Karongi District.
Alleged crimes were in connection to anomalies in the management of the university where he was said to have accumulated millions of francs in debts to different suppliers to his university. The university management was also accused of not paying lecturers and other employees.
Dr. Habumuremyi owned 60 percent of the university’s shares, while his son owned 30 percent and the Vice-Chancellor 10 percent.
He was charged alongside Charles Serushyana, a former accountant of the university, but he was later acquitted.
During trial proceedings, the prosecution said that Dr. Habumuremyi had over Rwf1 billion debts.
Dr. Habumuremyi appealed against the sentence recently in Nyarugenge Intermediate Court, which commuted his sentence by 1 year and 3 months.
The clemency nullifies the three-year jail term and Rwf892 fine that Dr. Habumuremyi was handed by Nyarugenge Intermediate Court on 27th November 2020.
He will however have to clear all debts he owed to plaintiffs.
Habumuremyi served as Prime Minister of Rwanda from 7th October 2011 until 24th July 2014. Since 2015, Habumuremyi has served as the chairman of Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders and Decoration of Honour prior to his arrest.
Dr. Habumuremyi was born in Ruhondo, Musanze district on 20th February 1961. He pursued studies in different countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), France and Burkina Faso.
