Some of affected residents include masons, mason-helpers, potters, and motorcyclists, cyclists among others with inadequate means to feed their families or themselves.
The foodstuffs distributed in different parts of Kigali yesterday include rice and beans whereby beneficiaries received foodstuffs corresponding the number of family members.
The donations have been delivered to villages where local leaders ccordinated the distribution to targeted beneficiaries at their homes.
The executive secretary of Remera sector, Karamuzi Godfrey has told IGIHE that leaders of ‘Isibo’ groups (that are part of the village set up) are distributing food relief to beneficiaries’ homes to contain the spread of Coronavirus.
“We are delivering foodstuffs to cell offices from where village leaders are picking them to be distributed to needy residents by Isibo leaders,” he said.
Mukase Asia Diane from Rwezamenyo sector in Nyarugenge district is among food relief beneficiaries in Kigali city. A nursery school teacher, Mukase has revealed that she has been out of work since Covid-19 emerged in 2020. She expressed delight for the donation that came in handy during the lockdown.
“We have been laid off since Covid-19 emerged. We have been hit hard for 11 months because we no longer receive salaries. My thanks go to our leadership for taking care of us by providing food. May God grant them more wealth,” she said.
The foodstuffs were distributed to affected residents in different sectors of Nyarugenge and Gasabo districts.
They were arrested in separate operations conducted on Thursday, January 21, in the five districts of Ngoma, Kirehe, Rwamagana, Nyagatare and Bugesera.
According to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern Province, those arrested include 11 bars owners, who were found operating the prohibited business. Others were their customers.
Bars are among the businesses that are still closed in this period as part of the government efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The violations were reported by residents, who saw these bars operating and people inside drinking. It was easily for one infected person to infect everyone who was inside because besides operating the prohibited business, there was no other prevention measures; no washing hands, they had no masks, they were close to each other and even some of them were sharing drinks,” said CIP Twizeyimana.
“We are in a situation when COVID-19 cases and related fatalities continue to spike up and we are seeing positive cases in all parts of the country. A single violation can be fatal to many,” he added.
The violators, he said, will face varied penalties but added that “no one should be penalised for putting their lives and those of others at risk. Safety and good health should be the priority.”
Out of 310 COVID-19 positive cases reported by the Ministry of Health on January 21, 41 were from Ngoma, nine in Nyagatare and six in Kirehe.
On January 20, eleven cases were registered in Ngoma and four in Nyagatare.
At least 79 positive cases were also recorded in Ngoma on January 19, while 11 others came from Nyagatare, three in Kirehe and two in Rwamagana.
As of January 21, Rwanda had registered 12170 positive cases of COVID-19, with 7973 recoveries and 162 related fatalities.
Meanwhile, CIP Twizeyimana said that on the same day of January 21, two vehicles, 41 motorcycles and 84 bicycles were also impounded in the Eastern Province after owners were caught during prohibited movements hours.
Apart from City of Kigali, which is under lockdown, movements in the rest parts of the country are prohibited between 6pm and 4am. Movements beyond districts are also prohibited.
CIP Twizeyimana said that the Police, local authorities, youth volunteers and other community policing groups are working together in the region to implement the directives through education and enforcement on wearing face mask, washing hands and social gathering especially in business centres as well as preventing social gatherings, movements beyond 6pm or beyond districts.
Among others, 273 new cases have been found out of 4,857 sample tests while 211 have recovered.
The statement released last night shows that new cases were found in Kigali: 116, Gatsibo: 57, Rwamagana: 18, Muhanga: 17, Nyanza: 16, Musanze: 14, Ngoma: 7, Karongi, 7, Nyagatare: 5, Rulindo: 5, Gicumbi: 3, Kamonyi: 2, Nyamagabe: 2, Rubavu: 2 and Gisagara: 2.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 12443 people have been tested positive out of 817,800 sample tests of whom 8184 have recovered, 4094 are active cases while 165 have succumbed to the pandemic.
Kigali city continues to be the hotspot for new infections where 111 of new cases were found yesterday.
Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) has announced plan to test 20,000 people from Kigali city effective from Saturday 23rd January 2021 targeting elders above 79 and people with chronic diseases.
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.
As the persons living with disabilities have explained, they have been making long walks to reach pitch for exercises or would participate in competitions without preparations, thus standing minimal chance to win.
Imanaturikumwe Emmanuel is one of beneficiaries who told IGIHE that received infrastructure will add up to their performance.
“Before, we used to walk long distance for exercises at TTC Kirambo. The pitch was not properly built covered with rough concrete. Due to such difficulties, we would sometimes compete without preparations that we didn’t perform well,” he said.
The coordinator of the National Council of Persons Living with Disabilities in Burera district, Ndayambaje Théoneste has also highlighted that the infrastructure anticipates victories to beneficiaries.
“We used to exhibit poor performance compared to Rubavu and Musanze teams because they were trained on smooth pitches. We shall undoubtedly win when competitions resume because we have received a modern pitch. We promise to induce pride to the district which has provided the facility,” he noted.
The mayor of Burera district, Uwanyirigira Marie Chantal has explained that they will continue supporting people with disabilities.
“Persons living with disabilities have proven that they can achieve great things. We are committed to continue proving support to promote their welfare,” he said.
The Sitball pitch in built in Kirambo center of Rusarabuye sector in burera district.
It was completed at a cost of Rwf over 11 million.
As they explained, they seek health services in Macuba sector after walking for two hours and half yet they have a health post in the neighborhood which is almost useless.
Habiyeze Damascène, one of residents has said that it is unfortunate to make such long walks due to poor service at the health post built in neighborhood.
“Health workers at the health post are often absent because they live far. We walk long distance for two and half hours to access health services in Mataba of Macuba sector yet there is health post closer to our homes. It is so saddening,” he said.
Macuba residents appeal for support so that the health post can be operational from morning hours.
“You can understand how serious the problem is because you can fall sick overnight and find no one at the health post in the morning. We need advocacy so that nurses can be present at work early every day to access health services closer to our homes. That is why the Government built the health post,” said Tuyishime Vestine.
The vice mayor for social affairs in Nyamasheke district, Mukamana Claudette has said that they are seeking a durable solution.
“The health post is no longer offering goods services as before. We are going to engage with the management of nearby health center so that the health post can be operation every day to facilitate access to health services,” she said.
The Government of Rwanda targets universal easy access to health services by 2024 whereby every cell will have own health post.
It is said that fire has caught a dormitory accommodating 227 girls in the wee hours of 22nd January 2021 destroying mattresses, clothes, bags among other properties worth over Rwf 1 million.
The vice mayor for social affairs in Rubavu district has told IGIHE that no one lost life.
“The dormitory accommodating girls caught fire around 4 am but no one lost life during the incident. Some items were also saved,” he said.
Ishimwe explained that Police rushed to extinguish the fire that students have resumed courses as usual.
In 2015, a group of Burundian soldiers attempted to overthrow the then President Pierre Nkurunziza but the plan was nullified. Since then, Burundi has been accusing Rwanda of accommodating suspects behind the failed coup plot. Rwanda has however been insisting that the individuals are considered as refugees who must be protected against deportation by international laws.
Rwanda has said instead of deporting them, it is seeking to send them to a third country, a stance that did not go well with the Burundian government.
Rwanda also accuses Burundi of supporting rebel groups intending to destabilize national security.
The political mishap later halted cooperation and free movements between both countries.
Despite misunderstandings that have characterized both countries, both countries are promising to bring the situation back to normal for mutual benefits.
It has been emphasized by Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Albert Shingiro in a press conference held yesterday preceding the presentation of the ministry’s activities from October to December 2020.
He explained that Rwanda, Burundi relations worsened over the past six years when a delegation of top military leaders planned a coup plot against President Nkurunziza.
“As you know; Burundi, Rwanda relations deteriorated in 2015 because some Burundians who took part in the coup plot fled the country. The fact that Rwanda granted refuge to suspects that attempted a coup plot proved that existing friendship was useless,” he said.
Shingiro explained that both countries should not stick to the dark part but rather mend relations for interests of both countries’ people.
“We are cooperating with neighbors from the North. I have visited Rwanda for talks [with Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Biruta Vincent] on various issues including Burundians who played role in 2015 coup plot,” he noted.
Towards the end of 2020, the Government of Rwanda explained international laws protecting the rights of refugees as the reason pushing the country to withhold the decision of deporting suspects accused by Burundi of being behind a coup plot to overthrow late President Pierre Nkurunziza in 2015.
The revelation was made by Manasseh Nshuti, Rwanda’s State Minister for EAC Affairs speaking to The East African.
“The so-called coup plotters ran to Rwanda as refugees, and we are bound by international norms in terms of handling refugees. So Rwanda cannot hand them back. We would be breaching international law,” he said.
“So I think Burundi should not be using this excuse of refugees. They also have our refugees but we are not asking them back. No government should be able to do that unless the person is not a refugee but is a criminal,” added Nshuti.
Burundi has however claimed that such information was not officially communicated.
“We have not yet received such information officially. You have got these information from the media but our discussions are ongoing. We understand that mending relations is a long journey not something that can be fixed in few weeks. We have to work hard to promote common interests and revitalize relations,” explained Shingiro.
He expressed optimism that problems between both countries will be fixed and continue cooperation as usual.
“We are waiting for tangible evidences from neighbors especially concerning suspects of 2015 coup plot. We believe that Rwanda won’t abandon good relations with Burundi for interests of a small group of people. We should not keep quiet for deteriorating relations. We are hopeful that we shall find a solution one day,” said Shingiro.
In an interview with Jeune Afrique and The Africa Report journalists on 19th June 2020, President Paul Kagame revealed that Rwanda is committed to maintain good relations with neighbors that the election of Gen Evariste Ndayishimiye might be a good opportunity to achieve it.
As he delivered ‘State of the Nation Address’ towards the end of last year, President Kagame explained that Rwanda continues to partner with neighboring countries to address security issues in the region.
He pointed out foreign relations’ gaps for countries including Burundi noting that the situation will finally get a solution.
Ferdinand Ndayisaba, 55, Canisius Dufatanye, 34, and Pascal Hakizimuremyi, 30, were arrested on January 20, following information from local residents about their unlawful mineral exploration.
At the time of their arrest, the trio was found in possession of 10kgs of Cassiterite, which they had already mined.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that the suspects were mining Cassiterite in residents’ farms.
“According to the residents, these three men have been mining Cassiterite in unutilized land, whose owners live in City of Kigali. These repeated illegal practices prompted the neighboring residents to call the Police, and the suspects were arrested red-handed after mining 10kgs of Cassiterite, and seized their tools” CIP Karekezi said.
Their arrest came two weeks after another man was apprehended in the same district, Gatumba Sector where he was found mining Cassiterite in residents’ gardens.
“Mining and related trade is regulated and conducted by licensed people in legally authorized sites; contrary to that you will be breaking the law and you will be arrested to face the law,” CIP Karekezi warned.
Article 54 of the law on mining and quarry operations, states that; “any person, who undertakes mineral or quarry exploration, exploitation, processing or trading without a licence commits an offence.”
Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of between two and six months and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.
The court also may order confiscation of any seized minerals in storage, trading or processing without a license.
Patrick Amoth, acting director general of health at the Ministry of Health, did not say where the infected men were tested or if they had been notified.
“This was picked (up) because of our heightened surveillance system. These two gentlemen have since gone back to their country. At the point of picking them, they were all asymptomatic,” he told a news conference.
Francoise Musabyimana, 29, was allegedly, trafficking and selling the outlawed polythene bags as well as using them for packaging.
According to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, Musabyimana was allegedly trafficking the non-biodegradable products from Uganda.
“Residents suspected that Musabyimana sells plastic bags. They also continued to see her using the outlawed products as packages, which prompted them to report the illegal acts,” said CIP Twizeyimana.
He added: “At about 5pm on Wednesday, Police officers searched her shop where 1200 pieces of plastic bags (six cartons) were recovered. She was immediately taken into custody for the unlawful act.”
Article 10 of law N° 17/2019 of 10/08/2019 relating to the prohibition of manufacturing, importation, use and sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items, states that any person, who imports plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to the dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items, and to an administrative fine equivalent to ten times the value of those plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items.
In article 11, a wholesaler of plastic carry bags and single use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Rwf700, 000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.
In article 12 of the same legal instrument, a retailer of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Rwf300, 000 and seizure of those plastic carry bags or other items in the same category.
Meanwhile, Musabyimana admitted, after her arrest, that she is supplied by other traffickers, who sneak polythene bags into Rwanda through porous borders and transport them on bicycles through Ngarama Sector, also in Gatsibo.
CIP Twizeyimana thanked the residents for their community policing spirit and neighbourhood watch against such acts of environmental degradation and other criminal acts.
