The Western region Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi said that five of the smugglers were arrested during separate operations.
“15 bales of caguwa were seized in Gishyita Sector, Karongi District from five people, who were also arrested. Other 15 bales were impounded in Nyamyumba and 17 bales seized in Busasamana [both in Rubavu District] from unidentified people, who escaped. More than 20kgs of caguwa were also seized in Kamembe and Gashonga sectors of Rusizi District,” CIP Karekezi said.
“Most of the bales were intercepted as smugglers sneaked them into Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo through Lake Kivu.”
The group of smugglers intercepted in Busasamana and Nyamyumba, the spokesperson said, were armed with machetes, but fled back to DRC through Lake Kivu when they realized that the security personnel were also armed.
“This is part of the ongoing countrywide operations against smuggling and dealers in outlawed products.”
Under article 199 of the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods and automobile used in smuggling, are auctioned.
{{Tax fraud}}
A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax.
With exception to that penalty, the Tax Administration refers the case to the Prosecution service if the taxpayer voluntarily evaded such tax, like through the use of false accounts, falsified documents or any other act punishable by law.
In case of conviction, the taxpayer can be imprisoned for a period between six months and two years.
Article 87 of law N° 026/2019 of 18/09/2019 on tax procedures states that a person who, while intending tax evasion, commits one of the following acts: use of forged documents in his or her accounts; counterfeit and use of documents or materials of the tax administration used for taxation; hiding taxable goods or assets related to business; making a declaration indicating that the taxpayer has not made sales; changing the trade name by a person prosecuted in relation to tax; fraudulent registration of trade under the name of another person; hiding accounting documents from the tax administration or damaging them; use of forged accounting records; commits an offence of tax evasion.
Upon conviction, he or she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than two (2) years and not more than five (5) years.
The statement released last night also shows that 98 people have caught the virus out of 13088 sample tests while the positivity rate stands at 0.7%.
Among others, 11 people have been admitted to COVID-19 treatment centers, three are critically ill while others are attended to through home based care.
A total of 1,695,981 people have been fully vaccinated while 2,192,888 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.
At Alexandria Villa Apartment located in Kanombe Sector, Kabeza Cell, Police found 78 people, who were found shooting a music video for a local artiste, Abijuru King Lewis (Papa Cyangwe). Abijuru was also arrested.
Other 35 people were found at Plan B bar located in Nyakabanda, Niboye Sector. The bar was operating without authorization.
For any bar to resume its business, it must be inspected and authorized after fulfilling all the Covid-19 prevention requirements.
All the violators were paraded to the media on Sunday, October 10, at Kicukiro stadium.
One of the violators only identified as Hamisi, said that he was at the time charged with the security of Papa Cyangwe.
“Police found us at about 1am at the apartment where the video was being shot. Unfortunately, the artiste had no permission, this number of people was big and no one tested for Covid-19 prior,” said Hamisi.
To Nkotanyi, who was shooting the video, this has taught him a lesson.
“I did not complete the shooting, I spent a night here in the stadium and I have to pay fines for the violation. This will never happen to me again,” said Nkotanyi.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera warned owners of hospitality businesses against operating without seeking authorization.
“Both hospitality establishments were operating illegally and had violated the Covid-19 prevention directives. Alexamdria Villa Apartment had been turned into a bar, which was operation without prior inspection and authotization by the responsible entity. Again, they undermined the authority because they locked themselves inside and officers spent the whole night outside until they opened in the morning,” CP Kabera said.
“Equally, Plan B bar was operating without any prior inspection and authorization. The inspection is meant to ensure that the bar is well prepared to receive customers in compliance with the national Covid-19 prevention directives.”
Authorities have since closed the two hospitality establishments for at least three months, penalized owners.
Their customers were also subjected to Covid-19 test and handed administrative fines.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that the narcotics and clothes were recovered at Nsengiyumva’s home located in Kamubaji Village, Ruganda Cell in Kamembe Sector.
“When Police received information that Nsengiyumva was a drug dealer and smuggler, and that he had sneaked new consignments into Rwanda from DRC. Police officers went to his house where 7kgs of cannabis and 80kgs of used clothes were recovered, and Nsengiyumva, who was also found at home, was taken into custody,” he revealed.
CIP Karekezi lauded members of the public for reporting wrongdoers.
Nsengiyumva was handed over to RIB at Kamembe station for further legal process.
Under article 199 of the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods and automobile used in smuggling, are auctioned. The driver also faces a fine of US$5000.
{{Tax fraud}}
A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax.
With exception to that penalty, the Tax Administration refers the case to the Prosecution service if the taxpayer voluntarily evaded such tax, like through the use of false accounts, falsified documents or any other act punishable by law.
In case of conviction, the taxpayer can be imprisoned for a period between six months and two years.
Article 87 of law N° 026/2019 of 18/09/2019 on tax procedures states that a person who, while intending tax evasion, commits one of the following acts: use of forged documents in his or her accounts; counterfeit and use of documents or materials of the tax administration used for taxation; hiding taxable goods or assets related to business; making a declaration indicating that the taxpayer has not made sales; changing the trade name by a person prosecuted in relation to tax; fraudulent registration of trade under the name of another person; hiding accounting documents from the tax administration or damaging them; use of forged accounting records; commits an offence of tax evasion.
Upon conviction, he or she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than two (2) years and not more than five (5) years.
The Ministerial order nº 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation go classifies cannabis in the category of “very severe narcotics.’’
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 for very severe narcotics, the offender faces between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.
The CIMIC medical care week was conducted in different regions including Machakos, Kajiado and Nairobi. The aim of this medical care week is to enhance cooperation in civil military affairs between EAC Defence Forces.
The RDF contingent was led by Lt Col Vincent Mugisha, the Chief of Civil Military Relations (J9) of the RDF. RDF specialized medics are currently conducting medical outreach services in Machakos county -Muumandu Health Center, 85 Kms from Nairobi.
They are providing free treatment in pediatrics, gynecology, internal medicine, general medicine, ophthalmology and dental. The RDF medical contingent have so far attended to 90 patients on the first day of the exercise.
Winny Chemutai Too, who is in charge of Muumandu Health Center Facility observed that the gesture is a testament that the military has what it takes to transform citizens’ lives in different aspects.
“Citizens usually associate the military with guns, and do not often see them offering humanitarian services. This is therefore a very important gesture of good civil military relations,” he said.
The EAC Armed Forces CIMIC Week is annually carried out in accordance with EAC Protocol on Cooperation in Defence.
This is the 3rd EAC Armed Forces CIMIC Week. The previous CIMIC services were held in Uganda and Rwanda respectively in 2018 and 2019.
The donation of part of the annual RNP community outreach activities to mark the force’s anniversary dubbed “Police Month.”
RNP was created on June 16, 2000 with the merger of three institutions that had the policing mandate at the time. The merged entities were Gendarmerie Nationale under the Ministry of Defence, Communal Police in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Judicial Police under the Ministry of Justice at the time.
“The annual Police Month is dedicated to community development activities targeting mainly the disadvantaged vulnerable groups, it is the same context that 110 households of Rutagara Village were today lit with solar energy,” said Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Alex Ndayisenga, the District Political and Civic Education Officer (DPCEO) for Musanze, said.
The connected houses are those that are far from the national grid.
“Connecting houses with solar energy is meant to fight use of candles, which emit gas, provide security lights at night to prevent theft committed in the dark,” said CIP Ndayisenga.
One of the beneficiaries, Jean De Dieu Hakizimana thanked RNP for reaching out to them.
“We were using candle at night, which was a security concern because they can torch the house at any time. We were also facing the issue of light security at night, walking distances to charge phones but also children were not performing well at school because they were not revising at night,” said Hakizimana.
“These are rewards of good governance where police goes beyond just security to ensure the overall wellbeing of the people.”
Damascene Munyentwari, the Executive Secretary for Shingiro sector, commended RNP for the support and urged the beneficiaries to handle the solar systems well.
About seven villages in the Northern Province will be lit with solar power system as part of the Police Month.
Early this week, Police connected other 55 households with solar power system in Gicumbi District.
The statement released last night shows that 140 people have caught the virus out of 11985 sample tests, three recovered while seven are critically ill.
A total of 1,694,441 people have been fully vaccinated while 2,139,148 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.
After presenting credentials, these envoys pledged to strengthen bilateral ties.
The ambassador of Qatar to Rwanda, Misfer bin Faisal Mubarak Al-Ajab Al-Shahwani arrived in Kigali after the country’s new embassy headquarters located in Kimihurura was inaugurated on 14th July 2021.
He promised to strengthen Rwanda, Qatar relations ties building on existing cordial relations.
Rwanda and Qatar have deepened ties rooted on mutual respect and diplomacy.
As of today, Qatar Airways aircraft conduct flights from Doha to Kigali among other destinations including Dubai.
In February 2020, Qatar Airways announced that it was undergoing discussions to acquire 49% shares in Rwanda’s flag carrier, RwandAir.
Among others, Qatar’s interests in Rwanda include a 60% stake in Bugesera International Airport, currently under construction.
Once completed, the airport worth US$1.3 billion will have the capacity to receive 7 million passengers in the first phase and 14 million in the second phase.
Amb. Ajab Al-Shahwani said that it is the beginning noting that both countries are looking for more projects.
In April 2019; the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani came to Rwanda for two-day working visit.
At the time, both heads of states also visited Akagera National Park which is home to the big five animals.
During his stay in Rwanda, President Kagame and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani the Emir of Qatar witnessed the signing ceremony of four agreements meant to promote various development sectors between both countries.
These include 4 agreements in sectors of culture, sports, tourism and business events and aviation travel and logistics.
They were added to existing ones signed in Doha, Qatar when President Kagame visited the country at the end of 2018. These are related to air service transport services, promoting and protecting joint investment and cooperation in trade and technical areas among others.
In May 2017, Rwanda and Qatar signed agreements in diplomatic cooperation.
On 26th May 2015, both countries signed cooperation agreements to fight against drug abuse on the sidelines of Qatar International Anti-Drug Forum held in Doha.
{{Rwanda, Egypt relations}}
Rwanda and Egypt enjoy longstanding relationships before and after independence. Both countries have built friendships in major areas of trade, education, agriculture, energy, health and military cooperation.
Among others, top Government officials have been meeting to build vivid relationships built on mutual trust.
Amb. Rania Mahmoud said that she discussed bilateral relations with President Kagame.
She highlighted that the President of Egypt trusts his counterpart of Rwanda for his visionary leadership to fats track the country’s development and transform citizens’ livelihoods.
“We need to strengthen cooperation in the areas of trade and economy for benefits of citizens,” said Rania Mahmoud.
Rwanda and Egypt recently signed agreements paving the way for construction of a new heart research center in Masaka, Kigali signed between Amb. Ahmed Samy Mohamed El-Ansary and the Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije.
The project is backed by the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development (EAPD).
Among others, people of Egypt look forward to increasing investment in Rwanda. The country organizes annual exhibition known as ‘Egyptian Expo’ to showcase products manufactured from its factories based in Rwanda.
Rwanda also exports agricultural produce to the country including tea, vegetables, pineapples and bananas.
{{Rwanda, Belgium ties}}
Kagame also hosted the ambassador of Belgium to Rwanda, Bert Versmessen who commended existing bilateral relations.
“We have discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations. We can foster cooperation in different areas including trade, investment and economy among others,” he said.
Belgium and Rwanda enjoy longstanding relations dating back from colonial era.
The country supports Rwanda in the areas of good governance, health and energy.
In August 2021, Belgium reiterated commitment to partner with Rwanda to set up a plant manufacturing vaccines and other pharmaceuticals.
In October 2021, Rwanda received 196,000 doses of COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine from donated by Belgium.
The three envoys accredited to Rwanda will have residence in Kigali.
Recently on 23rd September 2021, Rwanda received nine more nationals evicted from Uganda through Cyanika border in Burera district after enduring torture and dispossession of their valuables.
Their deportation follows series of circumstances under which Ugandan officials have been dumping Rwandans at borders following days of torture in detention facilities accused of being spies yet they had traveled to Uganda to run businesses or visit relatives among other reasons.
Rwanda, Uganda relations worsened since 2017. Rwanda has been expressing concerns over Rwandans who travel to Uganda for business purposes but are abducted, imprisoned and tortured accused of being spies.
Rwanda also accuses Uganda of hosting dissidents that are posing a threat to national security.
In March 2019, the Government of Rwanda officially advised citizens not to travel to Uganda for their security following testimonies of over 1000 Rwandans tortured and deported from Uganda.
In August 2019, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame signed memorandum of understanding ‘Luanda Agreement’ in a bid to solve conflicts between both countries.
Despite efforts to sign the agreement between both heads of state witnessed by mediators including the President of Angola, Joao Lourenço and Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the situation is still worsening as Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence continues with arbitrary detention of Rwandans who are subjected to torture in its facilities.
