The resolution is part of stringent measures taken by the virtual cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 14th July 2021 to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic which has been on steady rise.
The communiqué released by the Office of Prime Minister shows that imposed lockdown will start from 17th until 26th July 2021.
The eight districts concerned with the resolution include Burera, Gicumbi, Kamonyi, Musanze, Nyagatare, Rubavu, Rwamagana and Rutsiro.
Citizens have been urged to reduce social interactions and limit movements only to essential services.
Among others; movements and visits outside home are not permitted except for essential services such as healthcare, food shopping, banking and for personnel performing such services.
Outdoor sports and recreational activities are prohibited.
Public transport is prohibited; however, transportation of personnel carrying out the above mentioned activities will continue to function. Motorcycles and bicycles are not allowed to carry passengers but may offer delivery services.
Offices (public and private) are closed except for those providing essential services.
Businesses are closed except those selling food (markets), medicine (pharmacies), fuel and other approved items but will operate at 30% capacity.
Businesses permitted to operate must close at 5p.m.
Schools and higher education institutions are closed while provision for students sitting national exams in July-August 2021 will be communicated by the Ministry of Education.
In other parts of the country, movements are prohibited from 6p.m through 4a.m.
His body was seen on Wednesday 14th July 2021 around 7 a.m with a rope around the neck.
Speaking to IGIHE, the Executive Secretary of Jali sector, Patrice Ndanga has confirmed his death adding that the deceased has been living in harmony with neighbors.
“He is a resident of this area where he has a wife and five children. He has been working with Compassion [faith based organization which seeks to elevate welfare of vulnerable children], Rubingo branch affiliated to Eglise Methodiste Libre,” she said.
His body has been taken to Kacyiru Hospital for autopsy.
His body was found on Tuesday 13th July 2021 around 11a.m in Kinihira village, Barinja cell of Nyagatare sector, Nyagatare district of Eastern Province.
The Executive Secretary of Nyagatare sector, Jenny Ingabire has confirmed his death adding that investigation has been launched to establish the cause.
“He had no symptoms of sickness but we learnt from colleagues hailing from Burera district that he once committed an accident. We have not yet identified cause of his death. His body will be taken for post mortem in Kigali today,” she said by press time.
The Dean of Students at Nyagatare Campus, Elia Ninsima explained that colleagues living in adjacent ghetto heard a phone ringing for long without anyone picking it and informed the landlord.
“They forced the door open and found him laid down with face on the ground and blood around. We alerted local leaders and Rwanda Investigation Bureau,” he noted.
The brother of Habayintwali revealed that he used to faint due to dizziness which developed after committing an accident.
“He was involved in a motorbike accident in 2020 and has since then suffered from vertigo that he used to take medicaments at health facilities on regular basis,” he said.
Dr. Ntawubizi Martin, the Head of UR, Nyagatare campus has urged non-boarding students to live with partners.
“It is true that the student was found dead but we cannot confirm cause of his death. Investigation is ongoing. We don’t have enough hostels to accommodate all students but we encourage those living in ghettos to live with buddies who might raise alarm for assistance when such incidents happen. The deceased lived with his colleague but had returned home,” he said.
The body has been taken to Nyagatare Hospital awaiting postmortem.
“Aktif Bank of Turkey is opening a representative office in Kigali to cover East Africa, pending final authorization from the National Bank of Rwanda,” Burcu Cevik told Anadolu News Agency recently.
According to the ambassador, Turkey is exploring new opportunities for cooperation with Rwanda in the financial sector as the country strives to become a financial hub for Africa, with the Kigali International Financial Center (KIFC).
He added that the Council for External Economic Relations of Turkey (DEİK) and Rwanda Finance Ltd, the company that promotes KIFC, took an important step by hosting a webinar on June 2 to discuss various possibilities of cooperation.
“The favorable business environment, political stability, adherence to the rule of law and the existence of strong institutions have aroused Turkey’s interest in recent years,” said the ambassador.
Aktif Bank is an entity of Çalık Holding, founded in 1981 by Ahmet Çalık. The group is present in the fields of energy, construction, mining, textiles, finance, telecommunications and digital.
He made the revelation on Tuesday 13th July 2021 appearing before the Lower House of the parliament to respond to queries related to the performance of WASAC and Rwanda Energy Group (REG).
WASAC has been at different times faulted for lacking internal revenue control and poor funds management among others since 2014. To date, the institution is reported to have failed to fully respect all recommendations by the Auditor General.
In November 2020, lawmakers singled out WASAC for what some referred to as abysmal performance over the previous five financial years (from 2014/15-2018/19), which earned it a disclaimer audit opinion from the Office of the Auditor General of State Finances.
A disclaimer of opinion is issued when an auditor is unable to complete the audit report due to the absence of financial records or insufficient cooperation from management of the concerned body.
The Auditor General’s report indicates that WASAC lost Rwf 2.7 billion in 2019 and Rwf9.4 billion in 2020.
Parliamentarians also expressed concerns over underperforming water treatment plants resulting into water scarcity.
These include Nzove I, Nzove II and Nzove III. Each of the three plants was expected to produce 40 cubic meters per day but operate at 41% and 49% capacity.
Minister Gatete explained that persistent problems at WASAC prompted the Government to commission a team of auditors to assess the situation and make recommendations.
He revealed that the institution has two departments; one focusing on development projects and another with a mandate of collecting revenue from water sales.
Gatete said the commercial department should be capacitated enough to make financial records abiding by international norms.
Failure to streamline funds management has been a serious concern since the institution was created out of the former Energy Water and Sanitation Authority (EWSA) split into two companies.
Minister Gatete revealed that the issue is being assessed where the optimal choice might be to split WASAC into two institutions; one for management of development projects and another commercial branch collecting revenue from sales of water as recommended by the team of auditors.
“The fact that it is the only institution responsible for water distribution across the country doesn’t sound well. We have to make possible effort to enhance its operations,” he said.
Minister Gatete further stated that non-integrated funds management systems are among other reasons triggering inefficiency.
“Ineffective performance cannot be addressed if such standalone systems are not integrated. This is what we are trying to do at the moment. We will have integrated all systems by December,” he said.
Minister Gatete told parliamentarians the country is considering the replacement of old water pipelines or small ones and old meters as well to avoid losses emerging from unbilled water and metering inaccuracies.
He assured that there is plan to replace water distribution networks with standard equipment along 568 kilometers in Kigali city and 1112 in secondary cities to be completed by the end of December 2021.
For the past two years, WASAC has been operating without Board Committee, which pointed out to be among other reasons triggering ineffective performance and funds mismanagement.
Minister Gatete declined to give much detail about the issue but assured that the Government will appoint the committee in the near future.
The Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers tournament kicked off on 12th July 2021 at the Kigali Arena and runs through July 17.
Regional qualifying tournaments across the continent are taking place this month where the winner from each zone will participate in finals to be held in Cameroon from 17th through 26th September 2021.
In Zone 5, Rwanda is facing off Kenya, South Sudan and Egypt.
The game held last evening and attended by Kagame accompanied by the Minister of Sports, Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju saw Rwanda losing to Egypt 59-71 after winning its first game against South Sudan.
Another game on the same day ended with the victory of Kenya beating South Sudan with 66 over 48.
Previously, Rwanda beat Kenya with 77 points over 45.
On Wednesday 14th July, Rwanda will face off South Sudan from 6p.m while Egypt will play against Kenya around 3p.m.
Following one day break preceding semi-finals, games will resume on Thursday.
The FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2021 will be the 27th edition of event.
The inaugural FIBA Women’s AfroBasket was held in Guinea in 1966 and Egypt finished top of the podium after beating the host nation in the Final while Senegal have captured the crowns in 12 of the 26 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket.
They are followed by Nigeria with four titles as they clinched the last one during the 26th edition of 2019. DRC has three titles in their cabinet while Angola and Egypt are two-time champions.
Two of the suspects; Aime Harerimana, 26, and Innocent Niyoniringiye, 21, were arrested in Mahoko Cell of Kanama Sector with 648 pellets of cannabis, which they were trafficking on a motorcycle RC 804X, which was also impounded.
The two other suspects identified as Yvan Sibomana, 26, and Elie Ndayisenga, 22, were intercepted in Kitarimwa Village, Gikombe Cell of Nyakaliba Sector with 706 pellets of cannabis.
The Western region Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi said that the suspects were enroute to supplier cannabis retailers in Kanama and Nyakaliba sectors.
“ANU received credible information that Harerimana, a taxi-moto operator said to be a drug dealer, was headed to Kanama Sector from Bugeshi Sector (both in Rubavu District), with a consignment of cannabis to supply retailers in Inshusho trading centre. Harerimana together with Niyiniringiye were trailed and intercepted midway with 648 pellets of cannabis,” CIP Karekezi said.
Sibomana and Ndayisenga, on the other hand, were at the time traveling in a public bus from Kora cell in Jenda sector heading to a place called Kivoka to supply cannabis retailers.
CIP Karekezi warned of heightened operations against drug traffickers and lauded the impact of community policing through identifying and reporting dealers.
The suspects were handed over to RIB at Kanama station for further legal process.
The statement released last night shows that 792 people have caught the virus while 1211 recovered.
The majority of new cases were found in Kigali: 306, Kamonyi: 56 and Gakenke: 55.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 49 808 people have been tested positive of whom 34 567 recovered, 14 643 are active cases, 73 are critically ill while 598 have succumbed to the virus.
A total of 398,056 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation programme 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.
Three of the violators later tested positive for Covid-19 following the tests that carried out on all the 24 women.
Those who returned positive results include one Epiphanie Nyiramafaranga, 52, who had hosted the bridal shower for her daughter at their home in Kabudundu Village.
The women had come from different villages of Muko, Rwaza, and Muhoza sectors. Some of the violators claimed they were ignorant about some of the directives.
Nyiramafaranga also argued that she had invited very few people and never expected a big turn-up.
“All these are my friends, although I had invited only few, but when others got to know about it they all came to support my daughter and it became hard for me to turn them back,” Nyiramafaranga argued.
Musanze District Police Commander (DPC), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jean Pierre Kanobayire said the violator were found at Nyiramafaranga’s home at about 4pm, following a tip-off from a local resident.
“Police was informed by the resident about the prohibited gathering at Nyiramafaranga’s home. When Police arrived there, they found 24 women overcrowded in the living room fundraising for her daughter’s wedding scheduled for next month,” said SSP Kanobayire.
He added: “They were all isolated at Nkumba isolation site but so far three of them including the host, Nyiramafaranga, have turned positive for Covid-19.
More tests will be carried out on all other women, who returned negative results and they will remain at the isolation centre where they will continue to be monitored.”
He warned that as directed by the Cabinet, parties in all settings are prohibited.
“This is why the government put a ban on all parties because such gatherings ignite the spread of the virus.
You can imagine 24 people from different places converging in a small room, no social distancing nor face masks and the ventilation system is not adequate. As we have been advised by health experts, the virus spreads fast in such circumstances.”
He warned against such reckless and inappropriate behavours, and called upon the public to continue sharing information on all violations, including those holding prohibited social gatherings such as parties.
Nyusi was speaking on Monday 12th July 2021 during a visit to military units in Sofala province, Mozambique.
His statement is considered a response to South Africa’s Minister of Defence, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula who recently criticized the deployment of Rwandan troops before SADC saying it was “regrettable” that the arrival of Rwandan troops “happened before SADC had deployed its strength.”
Ossufo Momade, the president of Renamo (main opposition party in Mozambique) also criticized the presence of Rwandan troops in Mozambique considering it illegal and accused Filipe Nyusi of having violated the Constitution by not taking this request from foreign forces to the Parliament.
“The President must respect the Constitution and take this matter to the Assembly of the Republic,” Ossufo Momade said on Monday.
“What we thought would happen was that SADC would come with its force from the 15th, but we were surprised when we realized that the Rwandan force arrived first, which worries Mozambicans,” he added.
Nyusi explained that SADC accepted the bilateral efforts of his Government to seek more support to tackle terrorism in Cabo Delgado and assured to ‘work with our brothers in Rwanda and SADC’.
“We are a sovereign country and SADC respects that,” he said.
The President reiterated that those who will lead the fight against rebel groups in Cabo Delgado are the Mozambicans, who know the terrain well.
Rwanda recently on 9th July 2021 started the deployment of 1000 troops of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and the Rwanda National Police (RNP). The second batch left the country on Saturday afternoon to fight terrorism and insurgency in the Southern Africa nation.
Rwandan troops have already arrived in the Southern Africa country and are on standby to conduct operations to fight rebel groups linked the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
The group sometimes calls themselves al-Shabaab, although they do not have known links with the Somali al-Shabaab.
The situation started worsening in October 2017 when armed extremists linked ISIL launched an insurgency in the Cabo Delgado region of Mozambique.
Since then, Mozambique Defence Armed Forces have been battling the extremists.
Many civilians have been displaced by the fighting.
Following different attacks, the militants seized the port town of Mocimboa da Praia August 2020.
Over fifty people were beheaded by terrorists in the province in April 2020 and a similar number in November 2020.
Among others, the militants seized Palma on 24th March 2021, murdering dozens of civilians displacing more than 35,000 of the town’s 75,000 residents.
So far, intensified fight between rebels and Government soldiers for the past four years has claimed lives of 3000 civilians leaving over 800,000 displaced.
The incessant violence prompted the visit of Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi to Rwanda in April 2021 where he discussed the problem with his counterpart Paul Kagame.
The statement released by the Government of Rwanda ahead of sending troops to Mozambique reads that the deployment is a response to the request of the Government of Mozambique.
Towards the end of last week, President Nyusi welcomed Rwandan troops expressing optimism that they will work with his country’s youth.
