The statement released last night shows that the majority of new cases were found in Kigali: 388, Rubavu; 83, Musanze: 61, Burera: 50, Kamonyi: 47, Rutsiro: 35, Rwamagana: 27, Nyanza: 24, Gicumbi: 23 and Gakenke: 23.
Among others, four people from Kigali have succumbed to the virus while eight recovered.
The deceased include two women aged 42 and 56 as well as two men aged 52 and 67.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 32 296 people have been tested positive of whom 26 712 recovered, 5192 are active cases, 10 are critically ill while 392 have succumbed to the virus.
A total of 391, 001 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation programme on 5th March 2021.
The assorted skin whitening products were found in Minani’s shop located in Karembure Cell of Gatenga Sector.
Minani said that he started selling the banned lotions three months ago. He, however, claimed that he was not aware that the products were outlawed.
“I started selling these lotions in March and I was buying them from street vendors but I got to know that they were outlawed two weeks ago. I wanted to sell the stock I had and stop this business,” said Minani.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said the arrest is part of the ongoing operations targeting anyone dealing in the outlawed skin bleaching products.
“These operations have been going on and some of those arrested in previous operations were showed to the media and Rwandans.
This is a warning to anyone still involved; these operations are continuous and are targeting shops selling these products and individuals or groups that traffic them into Rwanda,” CP Kabera said.
He added: “If you have these creams and oils in your shop, I can only advise you to take them out of the shelves before you are arrested.”
He commended the role of the public in identifying and reporting people dealing in skin bleaching products and called for the continued community policing spirit.
The outlawed creams and oil brands contain chemicals such as mercury and hydroquinone, which can cause liver damage, reduce resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, and increase anxiety, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Article 266 of the law determining offenses and penalties in general, states that any person, who produces, sells, or prescribes harmful products; cosmetics or body hygiene substance or any other products derived from plants, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than two years and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million and not more than Frw5 million or one of these penalties.
UN member states, UN agencies, regional and international organisations, and representatives of the private sector, were gathered ahead of the eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 8), which will be held in Tunisia next year. Participants also underscored that active tourism policies will be critical to ensure sustainability as bedrock for recovery.
In these difficult times, policies should ensure tourism can benefit the communities relying on the sector need to be supported and implemented.
These include addressing air transport policies to improve connectivity within the continent, reinforce SMES skills, digitalization and financing, step up marketing and promotion, promote inclusion policies and green investment. In the short term, it is also critical to implement and communicate clear and seamless safety and security protocols regarding entry requirements as well as on the ground to regain travelers’ confidence.
“Tourism is a pillar of prosperity, poverty reduction, sustainable development and stability in Africa,” explained Tarek Ladeb, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Tunisia to the United Nations and host of TICAD 8. “It contributes to Africa’s recovery and economic integration, boosts its transformative and inclusive growth.”
“As the world reopens, now is the time to deploy innovation and green-led tourism models and policies that unlock competitiveness, identify niche sectors and maximize potential, including for the “One Africa market” in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” emphasized Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Assistant Secretary-General and United Nations Development Programme’s Assistant Administrator & Regional Director for Africa.
In 2019, the African continent had the world’s second fastest growing tourism sector. As many as 70 million international tourists visited Africa and travel and tourism brought about US$170 billion to the continent’s gross domestic product. However, the pandemic had a devastating effect on all social and economic sectors, particularly tourism. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), one billion less international tourists travelled globally in 2020 and Africa recorded a 74-percent fall in international tourist arrivals and a decline of 64 percent in tourism related exports. With a recovery that is expected to be slow and uneven among regions, supporting the sector in Africa in these challenging times is critical, while adjusting to a more sustainable and inclusive model.
Ms. Elcia Grandcourt, UNWTO Regional Director for Africa, clarified that “tourism offers communities across Africa the chance to build back better, providing jobs and opportunities for marginalized groups, women and youth. As we continue to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, we must join forces to accelerate the safe and sustainable restart of African tourism.”
Discussions at the high-level panel also focused on the important changes needed within the tourism sector to ensure it benefits the economic recovery of destination communities, while promoting youth and women’s employment and entrepreneurship – all with an eye on sustainability.
“Disruptions in the travel and tourism industry provide new opportunities to revisit the business model and improve competitiveness in Africa. It is crucial to use this momentum to reshape existing travel policies and frameworks to make tourism an anchor of endogenous and sustainable socio-economic growth,” said Ms. Cristina Duarte, Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Africa.
“Young Africans in the tourism sector have continuously shown great talent, creativity and resilience,” underlined Ms. Rica Rwigamba, Rwanda Country Head of the Mastercard Foundation. “Investing in them is both validation of their tenacity and an act of hope, the hope that we will emerge on the other side of the pandemic stronger.”
Senior Tourism Specialist at the World Bank, Shaun Mann, confirmed that “A competitive tourism sector is too important for countries in Africa not to prioritize a greener, resilient and more inclusive recovery.”
Some countries have started reopening their borders, but the situation remains dire as waves of the pandemic continue to rage through the African continent. The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is expected to further boost domestic and intra-regional travel. The AfCFTA could potentially ease cross-border movement restrictions and infrastructural and transport challenges, including the high cost of air transport, poor connectivity, and inflexible visa regimes, while fostering regional value chains and the manufacture of value-added products. Hope is firm on tourism as it is one of the priority sectors for the AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Services.
“One cannot mention tourism without mentioning Africa,” stated Ms. Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Ambassador and Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations.
“The cradle of ancient innovations and human history are interwoven in Africa’s natural and cultural heritage. I am fully convinced that the continent has an opportunity with the AfCFTA, to support future growth of tourism in the continent. We have what it takes to build back better.”
The event was a follow-up high-level panel discussion to this year’s Africa Dialogue Series, which focused on “Cultural Identity and Ownership: Reshaping mindsets” and the African Union Theme of the Year for 2021: “Year of the Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building an African We Want”. It was an opportunity to reimagine the potential of tourism to help societies recover from the pandemic and promote positive changes for all, including sustainable development and sustainable peace.
Recommendations will feed into the global discussions on the preparation of TICAD8, aiming at scaling up the international community’s collective support to Africa’s recovery and building back better.
“The future for tourism in Africa is bright. It is a time for the tourism sector to build forward better. The AfCFTA will open the continent like never before,” stated Mr. Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNDP Administrator. “We must go beyond the mere economic reforms of the sector. We must measure its added value to our natural world, for instance. This is essential to mobilise new stimulus, financial support and investments, and should be underpinned by new efforts to expand access to affordable broadband, at a time when only 80 percent of households enjoy.”
“Let’s seize the opportunities for reshaping Africa’s narrative, unlocking the full potential of Africa’s rich natural and cultural assets and human capital” declared Mr. Ishikane Kimihiro, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations. “TICAD8 in Tunisia 2022 will boost global collective efforts towards more resilient and vibrant societies and economies across Africa in the post-COVID-19 era.”
{{About TICAD}}
The Tokyo International Conference of African Development (TICAD) was launched in 1993 by the Government of Japan, to promote Africa’s development, peace and security, through the strengthening of relations in multilateral cooperation and partnership
The launch of TICAD was catalytic for refocusing international attention on Africa’s development needs. In the course of the past 20 years, TICAD has evolved into a major global and open and multilateral forum for mobilizing and sustaining international support for Africa’s development under the principles of African “ownership” and international “partnership.
Kagame made the observation yesterday as he attended ‘Qatar Economic Forum’ on topics revolving around leadership in a Post-Pandemic World.
Macron visited Rwanda for two-day official visit from 27th to 28th May 2021.
On his visit, the French President admitted his country’s responsibility in Genocide against Tutsi.
“Standing here today, with humility and respect, by your side, I have come to recognize our responsibilities,” said Macron.
He revealed that France had a duty to admit the “suffering it inflicted on the Rwandan people by too long valuing silence over the examination of the truth.”
Macron said that only those who had survived the horrors “can perhaps forgive; give us the gift of forgiveness”.
When asked what he thought about the apology, Kagame said that the visit of President Macron and the statement he made were important in outlining the basis of the apology he made to Rwanda and Rwandans referring to French involvement in Genocide against Tutsi.
“This was very important not only in terms of the apology but also about the truth of what happened,” he stated.
The President highlighted that admitting the responsibility is important to desisting propagandists denying and trivializing Genocide against Tutsi.
“Admitting this responsibility was important in many ways because in the recent years, we have noticed increase in the denial and revision of the Genocide history and all kind of narratives beginning to form to create a different story. France has been big part of that. The truth that came from President Macron and the admission he made on France’s responsibility is helpful to managing this otherwise negative development that we have noticed in the recent years,” said Kagame.
Kagame explained that with better relations and the basis of the truth that came out and putting things largely in the right perspective, both countries are likely to enjoy ‘better cooperation and joint investments in places and areas that matter for our development as Rwanda and I am sure in the end it benefits France as well’.
“This kind of cooperation is very important and we are looking forward to that and building on living this ugly history of ours behind us and being able to forge ahead is what Rwanda is looking for,” he emphasized.
Kagame made the revelation on Monday 21st June 2021 at he attended Qatar Economic Forum.
The President explained that local manufacturing is the optimal way for Africa to have adequate vaccines for its people.
“Simply, Africa has to be equal partner with the rest of the World when it comes to manufacturing vaccines instead of waiting for vaccines from those places where they are manufactured. Right now, Africa is busy trying to do exactly that to find partners. To start manufacturing vaccines on our continent, we have IFC, European Union, other partners that are willing to come and do exactly that with our continent,” he said.
Kagame revealed that Rwanda, South Africa and Senegal have been selected as vaccine manufacturing hubs.
“Once that is up and running, I think we should be able to get vaccines we need on time or at the same time with the rest of the World. There are going to be three hubs on our continent and these countries are advanced on that. These include South Africa, Senegal and Rwanda,” he said.
Kagame underscored that these hubs will manufacture vaccines using mRNA technology adding that Rwanda has reached advanced stage in preparations of vaccine manufacturing plant.
“We will be among these hubs where the manufacturing on the continent is going to happen. For Rwanda in particular, we have partnered with some industries that are specialized in mRNA technology,” he noted.
“This is a new technology that has wide applications in agriculture or other diseases. We have already discussed with people owning that technology. We are discussing with people who will help with the financing and I think in few months we should hear a different story,” added Kagame.
Currently, two COVID-19 vaccines using Messenger RNA (mRNA) technologies have proved safe and highly efficacious. These include one developed by Pfizer and BioNTech and another by Moderna. This type of technology induces cells to produce a protein, or a piece of a protein, that triggers an immune response in the body.
World Health organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently revealed that ‘the benefit of this technology, which has been in development for decades, is that it is potentially easier to scale than alternatives and could be faster and easier to adapt for COVID-19 variants of concern’.
They seized from five suspected smugglers, who were also taken into custody during the separate operations conducted on Saturday and Sunday in Gishyita Sector.
Those arrested are identified as Aisha Ary, 49, Clarisse Uwizeyimana, 28, Rosine Uwajeneza, 30, Donatha Nyinawumuntu, 32 and Elias Nzitukuze, 42.
The Western Region Police Spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi said that the suspects were arrested in two separate operations.
“Police had prior information that the road Rusizi-Karongi was often being used by smugglers especially during weekends.
Checkpoints were mounted in Cyanya and Ngoma cells in Gishyita Sector on Saturday and Sunday when the five smugglers were arrested in public vehicles,” CIP Karekezi said.
Elias Nzitukuze was found with 40kgs of used clothes while Rosine Uwajeneza and Donatha Nyinawumuntu had combined 14 rolls of electric cables.
The trio was arrested on Saturday, June 19.
“Clarisse Uwizeyimana and Aisha Ary were arrested on Sunday with combined 30kgs of second-hand clothes. They were with another smuggler, who had 80kgs of used clothes but run away as Police was searching the luggage,” CIP Karekezi explained.
The suspects disclosed that they got the goods from DR Congo and sneaked them into the country through illegal border points. They were at the time enroute to Kigali.
CIP Karekezi said the operations against smuggling and fraud are continuous and called upon the public to report anyone they suspected to be engaged in any illegal cross-border business.
Under article 199 of the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods 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.
The deceased include two-month old baby, woman aged 40 and 37-year old man from Kigali. Others are two women aged 75 and 84 from Rubavu district as well as 36-year old man from Huye.
The statement released last night shows that 622 people have caught the virus out of 5342 sample tests. The majority of new cases was found in Kigali: 305, Kamonyi: 40, Rubavu: 35, Gicumbi: 27, Nyabihu: 24, Burera: 24, Rwamagana: 22, Musanze: 21,Rutsiro:17 and Rulindo: 17.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 31 435 have been tested positive of whom 26704 have recovered, 4343 are active cases, 13 are critically ill while 388 have succumbed to the virus.
A total of 390,848 people have been vaccinated 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.
Baptism parties are among the prohibited events and social gatherings under the government directives meant to contain the pandemic of Covid-19.
The were paraded to the media on Monday, June 21, at Nyarugenge District Police Unit offices in Rwezamenyo Sector.
The violators were found at the home of one Jean Marie Nizeyimana located in Ruyenzi Cell, Runda Sector.
Nizeyimana had invited friends and relatives for the christening party of his two children.
Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that Police was called in by concerned area residents.
“Two of Nizeyimana’s children had on June 9, received sacrament of baptism and Eucharist but did not hold the party at the time. He invited friends and relatives on June 20, to celebrate the admission to the faith of his children. Fortunate enough, some responsible residents called the Police to report the prohibited gathering leading to the arrest of 11 of them,” CP Kabera said.
He commended the role of the public in the enforcement of the government directives by reporting violators.
“We remind the public that Covid-19 is still in our midst and still claiming lives, there is no room for complacency. Any violation can be fatal. All ceremonies and gatherings at homes are prohibited and you will be arrested for non-compliance,” CP Kabera said.
He warned that Police heightened enforcement operations against anyone flouting the Covid-19 prevention directives.
The violators were educated on the government directives and health measures, and handed administrative fines accordingly.
Founded in 1986, ARCH Venture Partners is a venture capital investment firm based in Chicago, Illinois.
ARCH Venture Partners invests in advanced technology companies and is one of the largest early stage technology venture firms in the United States.
The firm is a recognized leader in commercializing technologies developed at academic institutions, corporate research groups and national laboratories.
It invests primarily in companies it co-founds with leading scientists and entrepreneurs, bringing innovations in life sciences and physical sciences to market.
The resolutions are part of other stringent measures taken to control the up surging COVID-19 cases and deaths.
The meeting was chaired by President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro.
“Movements are prohibited between 7p.m-4a.m. All businesses must close by 6p.m. Movements between Kigali and other provinces and movements between districts across the country are prohibited except for medical reasons and other essential services. However, vehicles transporting goods will continue to operate with no more than two people on board,” reads part of the cabinet statement released today
New measures follow steady upsurge in COVID-19 infections where the country has recorded 3153 new cases since 11th June 2021.
The statement also shows that physical meetings will continue but must not exceed 30% of venue capacity. Negative COVID-19 test results will be required for all participants.
All social gatherings and celebrations of all kinds have been prohibited both in public and private settings.
Traditional, civil and religious weddings have been suspended.
Public offices will continue with essential staff at no more than 15% percent of all employees while others continue working from home on a rotational basis.
Restaurants and cafés shall operate at 30% capacity and shall receive clients until 6pm. Negative COVID-19 test results will be required for designated restaurants.
Among other measures, tourism activity will continue in strict adherence to COVID-19 health guidelines. This includes hotels, tour operators, and transport services facilitating guests.
