The ceremony held at Gikondo expo grounds yesterday was attended by representatives from awarded institutions only to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
BK Group Plc and its subsidiaries emerged the overall best exhibitor followed by the Development Bank of Rwanda (BDR) while Bonjour Hygien Products Ltd emerged the third.
The vice Chairman of PSF, Gishama Eric explained that the exhibition attracted larger number of participants than it was expected.
“We had 382 exhibitors including 78 foreigners. The participation is fair comparatively to this period of Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
The management of Bank of Kigali attributed the performance to team work and dedication that made it possible to render excellent services to all customers during the exhibition.
The Acting Chief Operations Officer at BRD, Iriboneye Jean Claude explained that decentralizing services helped them to engage with and satisfy customers.
“We revamped service delivery approach where interacted with all expo goers and dedicated enough time to explain our services paving the way for future partnership,” he said.
Among others, the owner of Holy Trust Ltd was awarded as the best young entrepreneurs, Pharmalab Ltd was awarded best women entrepreneurs while Inyange Industries received award as the best entrepreneur adding value to agricultural produce.
Prime Cement emerged the best factory, MTN awarded best telecommunication company, Milbridge Group (MG) Ltd awarded best innovator, Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) became best investment services provider while Turkey emerged the best foreign exhibitor.
PSF also recognized the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) as the best partner and encouraged Rwandans to keep promoting Made in Rwanda.
The 23rd International Trade Fair runs from 11th to 31st December 2020.
It was organized under strict COVID-19 control measures that banned the attendance of beer companies.
All expo goers were required to pay by digital means; children below 12 were not allowed to attend while physical entertainment activities were also prohibited as part of ongoing measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
Kagame revealed this is the end of year message dedicated to thank Rwanda’s Defense and Security Forces for their courage and wish them well to the New Year 2021.
“I appreciate your commitment to fulfill your duty and uphold our country’s highest values. The people of our country are worth fighting for and, if need be, making the ultimate sacrifice for,” he said.
The President emphasized that the beginning of a new year is a time for reflection and evaluation noting that this past year has been demanding.
He however said that the forces approached faced challenges including the Covid-19 pandemic, with resilience, dedication, and excellence.
“Our nation is grateful for your service,” he said.
Kagame also sent a special word of appreciation to forces serving abroad in peacekeeping missions. He explained that it is not easy to be separated from family during the holiday period but thanked them for the sacrifices they make in defence of peace on the continent and beyond.
President Kagame concluded his message calling upon all forces to continue exhibiting the same discipline, confidence, and hard work for which Rwanda defence and security forces are known in the New Year.
“Protecting the well-being and security of Rwandans is your highest calling. You are among the best our country has to offer. Once again, I wish you and your families a very happy New Year 2021,” he said.
They were showed to the media at the Metropolitan Police headquarters in Remera, on Wednesday, December 30.
The ring include three suspected thieves; two civilians identified as Emmanuel Ndahimana and Omar Bayingana masquerading as ‘Afande’, who connived with a Police officer, Police Constable (PC) Hakim Ndagijimana to steal the lottery machines in different parts of the country.
Others are suspected buyers and seller of the stolen machines. They are Emmanuel Sikubwabo, the alleged ringleader, Jean Bosco Ndahiriwe, Moise Ndungutse and Adrien Sibomana.
So far, 19 slot machines allegedly stolen by the same ring have been recovered in City of Kigali. Some of them were yet to be sold and still in stores while others had been sold and were picked from different points where they were installed.
Police also impounded a vehicle, plate number RAE 165B, Toyota Rav4 type, which the suspects were using in their criminal operations.
Although Emmanuel Sikubwabo claimed that he was not aware that he was dealing in stolen slot machines, Emmanuel Ndahimana, one of the suspected thieves, narrated that the group was formed by Sikubwabo.
In the latest deal, Sikubwabo said that he bought eight slot machines for Frw700, 000 from Ndahimana, Bayingana and PC Ndagijimana.
Sikubwabo, Ndahimana and Bayingana are former employees of the Chinese company, which was selling the slot machines before it closed its business in Rwanda. Sikubwabo was the technician while Ndahimana and Bayingana were drivers.
“We were put together by Emmanuel [Sikubwabo] to find these machines, since we knew where they are. He was paying us Frw100, 000 for each machine we bring. We sold the idea to Ndagijimana (Police officer), which made it easier to confiscate these machines from different points under pretence that owners were using them illegally especially in this period, when gaming-related services were prohibited due to COVID-19,” Ndahimana narrated.
He added: “The Police officer in uniform would enter where these machines are, order us or other people found inside to confiscate and put the machines in the vehicle claiming that we were taking them to the sector or district offices for the violations. I do not remember how many we have stolen so far using the same trick, but they are many. I recall we took some from Mageragere, Nyacyonga, Bugesera and Nyagatare.”
According to investigations, tens of slot machines have been stolen in Kigali, Bugesera, Nyagatare, Gatsibo and Kayonza districts over the past five months.
Omar Bayingana, one of the suspected thieves, argued that his role was to look for a vehicle, transport the alleged thieves to identified points and transport the machines to the final destination.
“I was being paid Frw50,000 for each shift,” Bayingana said.
One of the victims, Aphrodis Ndagijimana, a resident of Bumbogo Sector in Gasabo District, said that at about 6:30pm on September 22, PC Hakim Ndagijimana appeared at his shop and immediately handcuffed him.
“He appeared from nowhere; put me in handcuffs without explaining anything. He later ordered me to open the room where I had kept two slot machines, accused me of operating gaming services illegally and told me to talk to afande (Omar Bayingana), who also declined to talk to me.
I tried to explain to him [Ndagijimana] that these machines were faulty and had not been in use for months, but he could not listen either. He told me they were impounding the machines to Bumbogo Police station, gave me a mobile line to pay Frw50, 000 for each of the two machines as fine, which I did not have,” narrated Ndagijimana.
When Ndagijimana went to Bumbogo Police station for follow up, he was told that there were no such operations. At the station, he met other victims and formal complaints were lodged.
RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera said that “these are criminals, who took advantage of the COVID-19 situation to steal from people who were either violating the directives or under pretext that they were using these slot machines illegally.”
“We have been investigating these series of theft for the past five months, and these are the results; these suspects were arrested in different parts of the country,” CP Kabera said.
On PC Ndagijimana, he said that the officer had a duty to protect people and their property, but instead acted contrary to his duty, and that he will be prosecuted like any other suspected criminal.
He, however, called upon the general public to desist from operating prohibited services, but added that no person with authority should also operate contrary in the name of enforcing the COVID-19 prevention directives, warning that such officials are also held accountable for any illegal or criminal actions.
The deceased include a 13-year old girl from Nyamasheke district; three men respectively aged 51, 60 and 63 from Kigali, a 62-year old woman from Kigali, a 61-year old man from Gatsibo district and another 66-year old man from Karongi district.
Among others, 122 have been tested positive out of 3409 sample tests while 30 have recovered.
The statement released last night shows that new patients were found in Kigali: 69, Gakenke: 18, Rusizi: 8, Rubavu: 7, Huye: 5, Nyamasheke: 4, Nyamagabe: 3, Muhanga: 2, Karongi: 2, Kamonyi: 1, Gatsibo: 1, Nyabihu: 1 and Nyagatare: 1.
Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 patient on 14th March 2020.
Since then, 8250 people have been tested positive out of 725,804 sample tests of whom 1795 are active cases, 6369 have recovered while 86 have succumbed to the virus.
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 body was first seen by children collecting firewood in the forest near the University of Rwanda, Huye campus who alerted residents.
Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has started investigation to establish cause of the death. One of residents said the body had started rotting.
They suspected that the deceased person might be a potter called Cyuma who worked in Huye town.
The mayor of Huye district, Sebutege Ange has told IGIHE that investigation is underway.
“The dead person has not yet been identified but RIB has started investigation to establish the truth,” he said.
Huye residents appeal on officials to reinforce security at the road below the University of Rwanda, Huye campus where people have been reported killed or looted in the evening hours.
In December last year, another unidentified young man aged 27, was stabbed to death in the same area.
Sebutege explained that residents’ complaints are reasonable whereby several measures including the installation of lights on the aforementioned road are put in place to strengthen security.
The court has made the ruling today and requested the prosecution to investigate if the suspect has no sexually transmitted diseases.
The court explained that outcomes from investigations will help to determine the severity of the punishment if the suspect is found guilty.
If found guilty and if investigations show that the suspect has mental health problems, he will not be subject to any punishment but rather will be taken to health facilities for medical attention.
Article 85 of the Law No 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offenses and punishments and stipulates that ‘a person is not liable to punishment if he/she had intellectual disabilities by the time he/she committed the crime’.
Outcomes from investigations will be heard on 14th January 2020.
Appearing in court at the previous hearing, the suspect confessed to have committed the crime and prosecution sought a life sentence for the 19-year-old man.
Prosecution said that defiled children are in the age bracket of 7 and 14 from Nyamabuye cell, Gatsata sector of Gasabo district where the suspect lives.
The suspect reportedly lured the boys with car toys he made.
The case went to the public when a child claimed to have suffered from anus pain and told grandmother that a neighbor who defiled him didn’t provide a promised toy.
Other victims revealed the truth that the case was reported to local leaders.
The suspect is alleged to have defiled the 17 children between August and October this year.
Children were taken to Isange One Stop Center at Kacyiru for medical attention.
The foodstuffs and sanitary items were donated yesterday by Private School Teachers’ Association (Syneduc).
Each of the 200 teachers received a sack of rice, 5 liters of cooking oil and two bars of soap. Majority of the beneficiaries include teachers from nursery and primary schools who have not yet returned to work since Coronavirus emerged in Rwanda in March 2020.
Ukwitegetse Deborah, a teacher at Les Paradis des Anges primary school in Muhazi sector revealed that she has been hit hard as she was laid off as the pandemic hit hard.
“Receiving such support is a great gesture that the country takes care of us. We appreciate the kind gesture. The food items will help us to feed our families as we wait for the situation to return to normal and resume work,” she said.
Ufitabe Emmanuel another teacher, explained that he has been hard up during the pandemic and worked as a mason helper to feed his family.
“The foodstuffs will help our families and give us courage,” he said.
The executive secretary of Syneduc in Rwanda, Nkotanyi Abdon Faustin said the gesture is meant to help teachers who have not yet returned to work to meet some basic needs.
“We have supported 200 teachers in Rwamagana, Ngoma and Kirehe districts. The foodstuffs including rice, cooking oil and bars of soaps are worth Rwf5.5 million,” he noted.
The house located in Akagarama village, Bushobora cell of Remera sector in Gtasibo district was handed over to Mukangwije yesterday.
The house with cemented floor built from funds raised by DASSO members comprises of 3 rooms, sitting room, chairs, beds and beddings, a kitchen and bathroom as well.
Mukangwije expressed delight for the donation giving relief to live in a safe place in her advanced age.
“I express my appreciation to the good leadership under the stewardship of President Paul Kagame for making it possible to get the decent shelter during my advanced age. I wish them all blessings from above,” she told IGIHE.
Rugiranka Gaspard, the representative of DASSO members in Gatsibo district explained that they support government initiatives aimed at relocating people from risky zones.
Gatsibo district vice mayor for social affairs, Kantengwa Marry has commended DASSO members for the kind gesture and residents who provided any form of support through community work to complete the house.
The grand mother also received other items including mattresses, African print wrapper and a goat.
During the ceremony held yesterday, Munyeshyaka who once served as the Minister of Trade and Industry committed to increase awareness of BDF activities among targeted beneficiaries and maintain the reputation of the institution striving to uplift people from poverty.
Munyeshayaka was appointed by the cabinet meeting held on 14th December 2020 while Rosalie Semigabo was nominated to deputize him.
They all took over yesterday pledging to consolidate gains and continue supporting the mandate of the institution mainly supporting SMEs projects, thus enabling the creation of more jobs.
As he took over, Munyeshaka Vincent urged all BDF staff to work together to deliver excellent services.
“All BDF employees should concert efforts and work together with dedication to keep supporting citizens’ development,” he said.
Munyeshyaka explained that more efforts will be expended in awareness campaigns to demystify wrong perceptions about services of the institution.
“There was a problem whereby people thought that BDF can do everything making it difficult to match the institution’s capacity with people’s desires. We have a great task to reveal available means and explain how they will be utilized,” he noted.
During the event, Rwigamba Eric also took over from the outgoing Director of BDF Board Committee, Rugamba Egide.
“Every staff should understand his/her responsibility to contribute to improved welfare of Rwandans and supported citizens’ progress through concerted efforts,” said Rwigamba.
Rugamba Egide explained that a lot have been achieved educating people how to run income generating projects and urged successors to root on that to take the institution to greater heights.
BDF has so far supported over 35,000 projects worth over Rwf 96 billion since it was launched in 2011.
RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera said that there are increased movements within prohibited hours, majority passengers traveling to and from upcountry.
“There are increased movements since December 23, of people going or coming from upcountry. Unfortunately, these people seem to have forgotten that there are directives, which must be followed in all aspects, even during this festive period, including prohibited movement hours—8pm to 4am,” CP Kabera said.
He added: “Today, we are seeing passenger service vehicles on roads transporting people within the prohibited movement hours. Let it be clear that 8pm is the time when everyone should be home not the time to be going home. The festive holidays did not change anything as far as the directives are concerned. Transporters and passengers should plan accordingly to ensure that no one is on road by the top of the hour, the same with bus park management.
We will not arrest anyone before 8pm. However, when time clocks, be it the driver or passenger in vehicle, bus stations or in parks, those on foot or motorcycle, bicycle will be stopped on the road, taken to provided centres and penalized accordingly. Bus parks or vehicles are not accommodations for violators.”
He advised transporters to issue tickets calculating the time when their passengers, driver and vehicle will be at the final destination before 8pm. He equally advised passengers to plan and start their journeys early to ensure that they get to their final destinations in time.
“How do you issue a ticket or board a vehicle, for example, heading to Huye from Nyabugogo at 6pm, knowing that you will not arrive in time, putting into consideration that some passengers will also have to commute from drop points to their respective destinations? It comes back to early planning by both transporters and passengers.”
On December 24, due to thick congestion in Nyabugogo bus terminal, concerned institutions devised measures including establishing new boarding and arrival venues to deal with the issue of congestion and to ensure COVID-19 prevention guidelines, such as physical distancing, are adhered to.
CP Kabera explained that this was a “one day advisory” calling upon the general public to plan their schedules accordingly, understanding the length of their journey, and to take trips that allows them to reach to their final destination by 8pm.
