He has revealed this today as Rwanda joined the rest of the World to celebrate the Common Wealth Day, which this year, coincided with International Women’s Day.
“In the current context, CHOGM 2021 will be an opportunity for the Leaders and the people of Commonwealth to come together and with the rest of the World to discuss key issues such as Global Health, Security, Climate Change and Gender Equality, which require concerted efforts and solidarity. The Commonwealth will once again demonstrate that it has the capacity to lead in matters of global interest,” he said.
“Rwanda is prepared to deliver an impactful and safe meeting, in respect of World Health Organization [WHO] guidelines and looks forward to welcoming members of the Commonwealth family as we continue to work hand in hand to deliver on our common goals,” added Biruta.
CHOGM was to take place last year but it has been postponed to June 2021 because COVID-19 pandemic.
The singer who succumbed to heart disease has been getting treatment at Kigali University Teaching Hospital (CHUK).
Speaking to IGIHE, one of his children has said that his father died yesterday on Sunday 7th March 2021 around 7p.m.
Early this month, Ntawuhanundi told IGIHE that he was recovering with plans to resume work.
“I have been critically ill but I am recovering. Two days before, I passed by the workplace to see the situation but I could not work immediately. I will resume work within few days,” he said.
Ntawuhanundi dies after completing his album comprised of nine songs.
Speaking to IGIHE, Master P who produced the album songs said he had already submitted.
“He had finished his album of nine songs including eight gospel songs and one ordinary song. I had already put final touches and handed it to the owner who expected to release it,” he said.
Bugesera is among places where Tutsis were brutally killed in 1992 during attempts that preceded the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
From page 40 to 44 of the book, the book narrates how Tutsi were cruelly killed in the night of 4th leading to 5th March 1992 in Bugesera, Eastern Province.
The killing was executed by Interahamwe militia in collaboration with the then republican guards and soldiers from Gako military camp.
The massacre was preceded by a communiqué inciting Hutus to kill Tutsis aired on Radio Rwanda on 3rd March 1992 and read by a journalist Bamwanga Jean-Baptiste on order of Nahimana Ferdinand who was the then Director General of National Broadcaster (ORINFOR).
As he read the fake communiqué, Bamwanga said it was released by Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) leadership that it featured names of top officials in Habyarimana’s regime that FPR targeted to kill through collaboration with cadres inside the country.
Bamwanga said that the piece of writing was discovered in Nyamata from a Tutsi businessman known as Gahima François who was the Chairperson of Liberal Party (PL) in the area.
In fact, the unfounded information is considered a direct way to sensitize Hutus to kill Tutsi.
Figures released by a committee established by Kigali Prefecture on 5th March 1992 shows that the massacre saw 36 Tutsis killed in former Commune Kanzenze, 309 houses and 573 kitchens set ablaze. Among others, 165 cows, 268 goats and 28 pigs went missing that time.
In Commune Ngenda, 36 people were killed, 74 houses and 119 kitchens were burnt while 112 cows, 111 goats and 16 pigs went missing.
The massacre in Commune Gashora saw 84 Tutsi killed, 216 housed and 288 kitchens burnt. Livestock that went missing include 188 cows, 325 goats and 28 pigs.
The report shows that 16,239 Tutsi were displaced and fled to different places including Government’s buildings, churches in Nyamata, Maranyundo, Ruhuha, Musenyi, Karama, Gitagata, Mayange, Rango, Ntarama, Murago, Kigusa and Kayenzi.
CNLG says that the commission that made the report was only comprised of public servants some of whom were directly involved in the killings which makes it unauthentic.
CNLG pointed out that masterminds who should to face justice for the killings in Bugesera include former Minister for local administration and communal development, Faustin Munyazesa for not condemning leaders who orchestrated the killing; the Minister of Justice, Matthieu Ngirumpatse who didn’t bring to book perpetrators and the préfet (governor) of Kigali, Emmanuel Bagambiki who organized meetings that prepared for the killings.
Others include the vice governor préfet, Faustin Sekagina ; the Bourgmestre (mayor) of Commune Kanzenze, Fidèle Rwambuka for overseeing the killing, Colonel Pierre Célestin Rwagafirita, Gendarmerie (Rwanda’s Policing unit the pre-Genocide period ) Chief of Staff for not sending troops to stop the killings and protect their belongings; Colonel Venant Musonera, the Commander of Gako Military Camp, soldiers from the camp who took part in the killings and Ferdinand Nahimana, the Director General of ORINFOR.
CNLG also says that more people who should to face justice for the killings include Radio Rwanda journalists Jean-Baptiste Bamwanga and Jean-Baptiste Nubahumpatse who read the communiqué mobilizing people to kill.
Other people associated with the killing are; Dominique Muhawenimana, the former Intelligence Officer in Kanazi Sub-Prefecture who spread rumours that Tutsi especially leaders of PL political party in Nyamata including Gahima had intentions to exterminate Hutus; the first vice prosecutor in Nyamata, Déogratias Ndimubanzi who whose acts were denounced by human rights activists and independent media houses for his role in Bugesera killings.
{{Prolonged persecution, rape }}
Following the killing of Tutsis in the night of 4th to 5th March 1992 in Bugesera, an umbrella organization of five human rights groups namely; ADL, LICHREDOR, ARDHO, Kanyarwanda and AVP deeply investigated the killing and came up hurting realities.
The first report released on 1oth March 1992 showed that 300 Tutsis were killed. Some of them had been dumped in rivers while others were burnt inside their houses.
The report also established that approximately 15,000 Tutsis were displaced living in critical conditions especially those who had fled to Parishes and schools in Nyamata, Maranyundo, Ruhuha and Rilima.
The report condemned leaders who took part in the killings especially the Bourgmestre of Commune Kanzenze, Fidèle Rwambuka; the Sous-Préfet of Kanzenze, Faustin Sekagina; the first vice prosecutor at Kanzenze court, Déogratias Ndimubanzi and the head of intelligence services in Kanazi Sous-Prefecture, Dominique Muhawenimana.
On 30th March 1993, these organizations carry out more investigations in Bugesera to identify the state of security in Bugesera, one year after these killings.
In the report released on 5th March 1994, these organizations revealed that many displaced Tutsis had not returned home that they were often abused by members of CDR political party.
Among others, the report highlighted that teens had been raped by soldiers from Gako military camp at different times. The killing of Tutsis continued accusing them of collaborating with Inkotanyi.
Some of victims include Nyabyenda and Anastase killed for working for an official in the Ministry of Finance called Mbarute.
Another one called Butera was killed by soldiers in Nyarurama (Commune Ngenda) on 6th March 1993. Many Tutsis were beaten and crippled like an old man called Mutabazi beaten by Gendarmerie troops on 21st February 1993 at the headquarters of Commune Kanzenze.
Lieutenant-colonel Claudien Singirankabo the commander of Gako military camp said that the killings were a result of attacks waged by RPF claiming that his mother was killed by Inkotanyi in Ruhengeri.
Uganda’s Immigration and Emigration officers dumped these Rwandans at Kagitumba border in Nyagatare district, Eastern Province yesterday around 8pm.
These Rwandans include Michael Matabaro, Tresor Hirwa, David Rukundo, Patrick Rugema and Muhammed Ndaheranwa.
They were released after months of torture in Uganda’s prisons accused of being Rwanda’s spies.
Matabaro, 58, is a son of Uwimana John and Mukaruzajye Elizabeth. The man lived in Kayonza district before legally crossing to Uganda in 2016 to install in Kyenkwanzi county where he had business.
Matabaro was arrested by Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) on 24th January 2021 accused of being ADEPR follower.
His colleague Hirwa, 30, hailing from Gasabo district arrived in Uganda in 2017. He crossed through Cyanika border and installed in Uganda where he traded clothes and shoes. He was arrested on 22nd September 2020 accused of illegally staying in Uganda.
Rukundo David, 25, hailing from Nyagatare district is another Rwandan dumped at the border.
He went to Kenya through Uganda in January 2020. Rukundo was arrested nearby Busia border on 19th January 2021 returning to Uganda.
Security officials asked him to bail out his release which he denied. Rukundo was detained for three days before he was transferred at CMI camp in Mbuya.
He was accused of crimes including espionage and illegal entry to Uganda.
Uganda has also expelled Patrick Rugema, 22, hailing from Muhanga district. In December 2019, he went to Kenya through Tanzania to visit a relative. He was arrested in Uganda in September 2020.
He was accused of being Rwanda’s spy and detained five days. As he prepared to return to Rwanda, he was arrested again and detained at Mbarara military camp from where he was transferred to CMI.
Muhammed Mudaheranwa, 25, is another Rwandan who went to Uganda in 2018 through Bunagana border in DRC.
He was arrested on 23rf September 2020 and detained in CMI prison in Mbuya accused of espionage too.
As these Rwandans arrived last night, they were tested for COVID-19 and got negative results.
More Rwandans including a woman in critical condition tortured by Uganda’s CMI were deported on 3rd February 2021.
Abduction of Rwandans living or traveling through Uganda is linked to CMI’s close collaboration with Rwanda National Congress (RNC), a rebel group against the Government of Rwanda led by Kayumba Nyamwasa with intentions to destabilize Rwanda’s security.
Through the cooperation, Rwandans on Uganda’s land denying cooperation with the rebel group are arrested; tortured in CMI prisons while others are taken in Minembwe of DRC to be tortured.
Uganda has been arresting Rwandans since 2017 in different operations. The Government of Rwanda has since 2017 been condemning such arbitrary detentions and advised Rwandans not to travel to Uganda in March 2019.
Later on, Angola launched discussions to mend Rwanda, Uganda relations which led to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in Angola, Luanda known as Luanda Agreement in 2019.
The memorandum was signed on August 21st 2019 in a bid to solve conflicts between Rwanda and Uganda.
Despite efforts to sign the agreement between both heads of state. CMI continues arbitrary detention of Rwandans who endure torture in its facilities.
The Office of the Presidency has revealed that these leaders came to Rwanda to support ongoing COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
“The President of the European Council, Charles Michel; OIF Secretary General, Louise Mushikiwabo and European Union parliamentarian, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou are in Rwanda to support the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination campaign with vaccines obtained through COVAX and to advocate for international collaboration for equitable access to vaccines,” reads the tweet.
Following the visit, President Kagame said that he had fruitful discussions with Charles Michel.
“We had a productive meeting with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. We appreciate his commitment to strengthening Africa-Europe ties, including with the private sector. We look forward to collaborating on equitable access to vaccines & improved management of current & future pandemics,” he said via Twitter handle.
The delegation met with Kagame few hours after visiting Mayange Health Center in Bugesera district where they witnessed the inoculation of the inoculation of first anti-COVID-19 vaccines brought by COVAX.
COVAX, is a global initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.
They were accompanied by the Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta.
The exercise saw health workers, teachers and people in advanced ages vaccinated.
As he visited the health center, Charles Michel thanked Rwanda’s efforts to quickly deliver vaccines to people and commended efficient vaccines administration facilitated by embraced technology.
He said that these efforts highlight Rwanda’s efficient responsiveness in the fight against Coronavirus and assured that the European Union continues to advocate for increased vaccines production for equitable distribution.
The vaccines administered in Rwanda include 240,000 AstraZeneca and 102 960 Pfizer-BioNTech doses distributed through COVAX as well as 50,000 AstraZeneca doses donated by India last week.
As the first shipment of vaccines arrived in Rwanda last week, President Kagame used his Twitter handle to commend the milestone enabling African countries including Rwanda to roll out vaccinations widely.
“It’s been long wait, some better prepared and more ready.. not to mention some ‘more equal than others’ But certainly all of us in urgent need. Now good news to see COVID-19 vaccines arrive in Africa starting with Ghana…this morning in Rwanda and more. Thanks COVAX,” he said.
The European Union is one of the main contributors to COVAX, the international solidarity initiative with recent contribution totaling Euros 500 million.
As of today, Rwanda has vaccinated approximately 200,000 people within three days.
Four people, including the drivers (Tanzanian nationals) and two suspected rightful owners of the smuggled goods, who were aboard the trailers coming from the Democratic Republic of Congo, were also arrested.
The operation was conducted by the Revenue Protection unit (RPU) and Rusizi District Police Unit (DPU).
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said this was a “targeted operation facilitated by credible information from a member of the public privy to the act of fraud.”
“We had information about foreign registered vehicles that after unloading good in DRC, they are hired by the Rwandan smugglers to transport their goods across the border. In most cases, these smuggled are destined to Kigali,” said CIP Karekezi.
He added: “Following information that these two trailers, which had just crossed into Rwanda, had smuggled goods, RPU and Rusizi DPU worked together to mount a roadblock in Byumvangoma Village, Giheke Cell in Giheke Sector where they were stopped, search and recovered the 258 rolls of electric cables and 10 boxes of banned skin bleaching lotions and oils. The drivers and the two Rwandan owners of the smuggled goods identified as Sylvestre Nsabimana and Daniel Bahore were taken into custody.”
The electric cables, he said, belonged to Nsabimana while the outlawed skin whitening products in ten different types, were owned by Bahore. They were being transported to Kigali.
At least 205 rolls of electric cables are substandard and banned in Rwanda.
Under the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods and the vehicle, under article 199, are auctioned while the driver is fined of US$ 5000.
Article 266 of the law relating to offences and penalties in general, states that “any person, who produces, sells or prescribes the following prohibited substances: a drug; harmful products; cosmetics or body hygiene substances 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 Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.”
They were arrested on Friday, March 5, in operations conducted in Kimisagara and Rwezamenyo sectors by the Anti-Smuggling and Revenue Protection units.
The joint operation targeted “renowned smugglers” after a tip-off from residents.
According to RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, two of the suspects, namely; Eduard Niyondamya, 36, and Console Uwanyirigira, 32, were arrested at Kimisagara market with eight bales of smuggled second-hands.
Two others; Yassin Nshimiyimana, 29, and Emmanuel Sikubwabo, 41, were arrested later in Rwezamenyo with 12 bales.
The last bunch of 12 smuggled bales were recovered from the house of Nshimiyimana.
“Suspected smugglers were arrested in separate hours after a resident alerted the police about the coordinated fraud,” CP Kabera said.
He added: “Police officers attached to the Anti-smuggling and Revenue protection units worked together and first apprehended Niyondamya and Uwanyirigira, who were found unloading eight bales of Caguwa from the car at the Kimisagara market.”
Later on, CP Kabera said, officers attached to the Anti-Smuggling unit intercepted recovered other 12 bales from Nshimiyimana’s house in Rwezamenyo Sector, where he was also arrested alongside Sikubwabo.
Meanwhile, efforts by Sikubwabo to bribe the Police officers to bail their way out hit a dead end as he will also face the same attempted crime of bribery, according to the spokesperson.
Law enforcement organs are also still searching for the suspected ringleader of the group identified as Enock Kayiranga, who managed to flee during the operation.
CP Kabera warned the business community against all sorts of unlawful acts including smuggling and tax evasion.
He warned that Police is now aware of the tricks and means used by smugglers and thanked members of the public, who facilitated such successful operations against fraud.
“Most smuggled second-hand clothes come from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Local smugglers establish contacts in the neighboring country, their partners send the products through Lake Kivu and other porous borders in Rubavu and Rusizi districts.The suspects usually ferry their smuggled goods to Kigali in sacks of fruits to dodge taxes,” CP Kabera disclosed.
Seized goods and the suspected smugglers were handed over to RPU for further management.
{{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. In case of conviction, the taxpayer can be imprisoned for a period between six months and two years.
Under the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods under article 199, are auctioned.
The deceased is a 69-year old woman from Kigali city.
The Ministry has also revealed that 198,453 people have been vaccinated within three days since the program was rolled out countrywide on Friday 5th March 2021.
Last week, Rwanda has received 397,000 vaccines in three shipments including 102,960 Pfizer doses, 240000 AstraZeneca doses distributed through COVAX initiative facilitating equal distribution of vaccines in developing countries as well as more 50,000 AstraZeneca vaccine donations from the Government of India.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2021. Since then, 19,551 have been tested positive out of 1,037,604 sample tests of whom 17,840 have recovered, 1443 are active cases, 268 have succumbed to the virus while 12 are critically ill.
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 incident took place today around 10am in Sata village, Karubungo cell, Gitoki sector.
It is said that a large stone brusquely fell on the man’s head and died immediately.
The executive secretary of Gitoki sector, Mushumba John has told IGIHE that the stone fell as the man was on daily mining activities.
“The deceased was a resident working with CMK Company extracting minerals in Karubungo cell. He was along with other colleagues at work when the accident happened,” he said.
“They usually employ methods to examine the mining site before extraction. The company is licensed to carry out mining activities. What happened is an accident because it happened in a place where he stood alone. His colleagues are safe,” added Mushumba.
Preparations to take the body to health facility for postmortem were underway by press time.
During trial proceedings, Ntigurirwa pleaded guilty of having killed his wife Uwimana Florence but denied to have used a hoe to kill the wife as alleged.
The latter has claimed to have killed the wife accidentally with a stick and requested for a lenient punishment.
The crime was committed in the night of 4th February 2021.
The ruling was read in absentia of the accused yesterday at the court’s headquarters of Muhanga Intermediary Court.
The presiding judge, Kankindi Olive cited three reasons pinning the suspect.
The fact that the suspect pleaded guilty for murder without explaining how the crime was committed, she said, doesn’t allow Ntigurirwa a lenient punishment.
Among others, Kankindi said that the severity of the crime and related consequences when he killed wife, and having planned to kill wife with a hoe which he hit on the wife’s head several times pins Ntigurirwa.
Ntigurirwa who has been detained at Kamonyi Police station is set to be taken to Muhanga Prison to serve his life sentence.
