The activity that was scheduled from 28th December 2020 has been postponed to the beginning of next year.
“The National Electoral Commission would like to inform the general public that picking candidatures for aspirants seeking to join districts’ advisory committees scheduled on 28th December 2020 has been postponed,” reads the statement released by NEC.
The Executive Secretary of the National Electoral Commission, Charles Munyaneza has told IGIHE that the exercise has been postponed because the commission didn’t have enough time to mobilize people for participation due to COVID-19.
“We didn’t have enough time to run activities aimed at mobilizing citizens to participate in elections following the recent cabinet meeting. We have pushed the exercise ahead so that we can get at least two weeks, thus candidates will submit have enough information before submitting forms of candidatures,” he said.
Munyaneza explained that the postponement won’t affect dates for advisory committees’ elections scheduled on 22nd February 2021.
Mayoral elections scheduled from 2nd and 3rd March 2021 have been also postponed to 5th March 2021.
The upcoming elections will begin with the selection of districts’ advisory committees among whom the executive committee comprised of mayor, vice mayors for economic and social affairs will be elected.
The advisory committee is made of members selected at sector level, members from National Youth Council and the coordinator of National Women’s Council at district level.
Others include the coordinator of the National Council of Persons with Disabilities at district level and the President of Private Sector Federation in the district. Women representation in the district’s advisory committee is supposed to be 30%.
Today, SBL has put 7 brands in the market with SKOL Malt being the first brand brought to the Rwandan market, it then introduced SKOL Gatanu, Virunga Mist and Virunga Gold, SKOL Panache, SKOL Lager, SKOL Select and just last Friday Virunga Mineral Water and Virunga Sparkling Water “the first Rwandan mineral water in a returnable glass bottle”.
The company has always been in production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic malt-based beverages until 2019 when the Government of Rwanda voted the Law N0 17/2019 of 10/08/2019 relating to the prohibition of single-use plastic items in the country; SKOL as a company with a commitment to environment sustainability and contribution to Government’s agenda on prohibition of single-use plastic items, decided to invest in a Mineral Water production line, that is now fully operational.
SKOL Brewery Ltd has a reputation of not only offering high quality products to its consumers but also giving pleasure and much fun through different promotional and marketing activities held throughout the years such as the SKOL World Cup Village, SKOL New Year’s Village, SKOL Lager Comedy Nights, Gikundiro Promotion, and more.
SKOL Brewery Ltd is involved in various Corporate Social Responsibility activities like local talent development through cycling teams – SACA and Fly Cycling Club, SKOL FXBVillage a program with the ambition to uplift its beneficiaries from extreme poverty, providing medical support to vulnerable families around the Brewery, and more.
It has also been sponsoring cycling since 2012 through Tour du Rwanda, Rwanda Cycling Cup, and football with Rayon Sports F.C. since 2014; and signed a sponsoring partnership with Arsenal F.C. in 2018.
SKOL Brewery Ltd goal is to not only make profits, provide Pleasure and Perfect products to its consumers but also to contribute to People’s development, wellbeing of its employees and the Rwandan community in general, while respecting the environment at all stages as states its slogan “Pleasure – People – Perfection”. This is also recognised by the awards won – 2018 Best Taxpayer, Best Investor and among Top Taxpayers in 2019; and its investment in a waste-water treatment plant.
The victims include residents of Rugeyo and Gisunzu villages in Kageyo cell of Mwili sector.
IGIHE has learnt that a cow belonging to a resident died of unknown disease on Thursday last week and the sector veterinarian agreed with residents to bury the cow. He prohibited them to eat the meat of the carcass to avoid any possible associated sickness.
It is said that residents shortly exhumed the cow, washed fleshes and sold meat to buyers in two neighboring villages.
They were not affected immediately after eating exhumed meat but started feeling bellyache and caught with diarrhea on Monday.
The executive secretary of Mwili sector, Bright Nsoro has told IGIHE that 42 residents have been taken to health facilities after developing health complications connected to eating exhumed meat.
“20 of 42 people have been attended to and discharged while 22 are still admitted at Kageyo Health Center,” he explained.
Nsoro appealed on residents to avoid eating untested meat and respect advice from veterinarians.
“No one knows the disease killing the cows. Sometimes, a sick cow is injected with various drugs for a long period before dying that its meat might be poisonous.That is why we recommend residents to buy meat from authorized butcheries instead of buying from un-kwon sources,” he noted.
All residents who ate the cow are showing symptoms of belly pains, vomiting and diarrhea among others.
Dr. Nsabimana made the pledge to the Senatorial Standing Committee on Economic Development and Finance as the latter assessed the competencies of officials appointed by the cabinet meeting recently.
The areas of priority were revealed yesterday during an extra-ordinary session of Senate that also approved seven heads of different institutions appointed by 14th December cabinet meeting.
These include Dr. Nsabimana Ernest , the Director General of RURA; Dusenge Byigero Alfred, the CEO of Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC); Gashumba Jeanne Pauline, the CEO of Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), Vincent Munyeshyaka, the CEO of Business Development Fund (BDF) and Félix Nshimyumuremyi, the Director General of Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA).
Others include Dr Rose Mukankomeje, the Director General of Higher Education Council (HEC) and Paul Umukunzi, the Director General of Rwanda TVET Board (RTB).
As they interacted with the Senatorial Standing Committee on Economic Development and Finance, these leaders committed to deliver on efficiency and fix existing gaps.
The Director General of RURA, Dr. Nsabimana Ernest expressed readiness to improve efficiency in public transport services, address the problem of inadequate infrastructure, buses, and roads for public transport as well as fixing irregular public transport fares.
He also expressed interest in providing solution to higher tariffs for water and electricity and telecommunications services experiencing network problems.
The CEO of WASAC, Dusenge Byigero Alfred pointed out the absence of board committee since 2018 among issues hindering performance of the institution.
He committed to improve efficiency in funds mismanagement and scale up efforts in water and sanitation services.
The CEO of BDF, Vincent Munyeshyaka revealed that he is aware of gaps indicated by the Auditor General which he will leverage to improve performance.
The Director General of Rwanda TVET Board, Umukunzi Paul committed strong collaboration with relevant institutions to identify and prioritize skills needed at the labor market and update school curricula as well.
Among others, the Director General of HEC, Dr Rose Mukankomeje committed to draw emphasis on promoting quality education within all schools and update standards that new schools have to meet before authorization.
The contest was a once in a lifetime opportunity for Rwandans to stamp their creativity onto the Kigali Arena, one of the most famous African sporting and events venue.
The logo that won the contest will not only be used in the Arena but also on all online, print, merchandise and visual collateral.
As he announced the winner, QA Venue Solutions Director, Kyle Schofield said: “For the logo that we chose, we looked at the criteria that we gave at the very beginning on the contest. We wanted to get a logo that was simple, relevant and easy to apply. The logo that we selected not only fit those criteria but it also have us the identity that we were looking for.”
“We are confident that the Kigali Arena brand will continue to grow, and the logo that we now have will match the heights we intend of taking Kigali Arena too. Moving forward, we shall work with Axel to create the different applications of the new logo as we create the new Kigali Arena corporate identity. We are confident of the partnership between Kigali Arena and Axel,” he added.
Explaining the inspiration for the logo, winner Axel Kalisa said that inspiration came from the architectural design of the Kigali Arena.
“We made everything from scratch, whether the drawing or the digital creation process,” he explained.
To take part in this contest, contestants visited the Kigali Arena website on www.kigaliarena.rw and completed the Official Entry Form. The winning entry was chosen by a judging panel which included representatives from the artistic community, Government of Rwanda and the Kigali Arena management.
The deadline for submission was 20, November 2020 (4:00 pm Kigali time).
{{About Kigali Arena}}
Rwanda has been consistently ranked the second most popular destination in Africa for hosting international conferences and events by the ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) and the award-winning Kigali Arena is one of Rwanda’s world class venues.
Inaugurated in August 2019 and managed by QA Venue Solutions, the multi-purpose Kigali Arena has, among other events, successfully hosted renowned R&B star Ne-Yo in a sold-out concert as well as the FIBA Afrobasket 2021 Regional Qualifiers.
This fabulous a 10,000 seating capacity Arena can host live concerts, sporting events, beauty pageants, gala dinners, product launches, exhibitions and much more. With the Arena comes a host of meeting rooms, open spaces and VIP Suites. With its state of the art facilities, Kigali Arena is the ideal home for Africa’s events and sport industry.
The violators include 14 young women and two young men.
The birthday party for a certain Deborah Shema was held in the night of December 19, in Niboye Sector, Kicukiro District.
It came to light after some concerned members of the public reported the violations.
The party included a silent disco.
Deborah Shema told journalists that the party had been organized before the new directives were issued, during the period when she thought there were no “tough restrictions.”
“We organised my birthday party before December, and it was to include a silent disco. I invited 16 of my friends but I do not know how our photos were leaked for the Police to know about it. Everyone, who attended the party was called by the Police on Tuesday and we are all here,” Shema narrated.
She added: “We knew what we were doing was prohibited, but we did not know that anyone or the Police would know about it since even the music was silent… not even the neighbours would suspect anything; at least that is what we thought.”
To Annet Kyatengwa, who also attended the party, she regretted being part of it even when she was well aware that what she was doing was contrary to the Government directives and putting lives at risk of catching and spreading the COVID-19.
Equally, Arlette Iribagiza advised other young people to suspend such social gatherings for their safety. No doubt that such parties put their lives at risk.
All the 16 violators were also subjected to COVID-19 tests. As of Wednesday afternoon, when they were paraded, their test results were yet to be released.
At Amahoro stadium, they were also enlightened on the pandemic, Government directives meant to prevent further coronavirus spread but also fined accordingly.
Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera warned that every violator will be held accountable, even if the violations are brought to light days or weeks after.
“We are in a fragile period where only one person can lead to mass spread of COVID-19, further killing many people. No one should allow such gatherings in their neighborhoods. Please report them,” CP Kabera said.
“These people came from different places. They did not know their status, meaning either of them could be infected and easily infect others.
They tried to secretly hold the party but as usual it came to light because of the responsiveness of some members of the public. Even if the prohibited gathering or celebrations were held last week and Police gets to know about it today, we will locate and arrest you,” he warned.
He reminded the general public that such gatherings and celebrations are prohibited.
“If you cannot postpone your party or wait for safer days ahead, do it with your internal family members but do not invite anyone from outside.”
“The Police is working with other entities from local government, health, community policing groups and members of the public to enforce the directives especially in the forthcoming festive period, and ensure that any violator is held accountable.”
The traffickers were intercepted in Ryeru Village, Ryeru Cell of Rwempasha Sector after they crossed into Rwanda from Uganda with the products through a porous border.
Other seized goods include 14 litres of banned illicit gin locally known as Kanyanga, food flavours and lotions.
The Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana said that a group of about 20 smugglers and traffickers had crossed into Rwanda at about 10pm, through an illegal border point in Ryeru village.
“They were intercepted by the security personnel on patrol and their trafficked goods including bags of plastic bags, lotions, food flavours and jerrycans of illicit gin seized in the process,” said CIP Twizeyimana.
According to the spokesperson, the group of traffickers had earlier been reported by the residents.
“We understand Ryeru is used by drug dealers and smugglers but due to the strong community policing in the area, Police gets information from residents on individuals engaged in criminal activities,” CIP Twizeyimana said.
“In October, three people were arrested in Ryeru, Rwempasha Sector trafficking over 20, 000 pieces of plastic bags. Similar operations conducted in the area in the recent past also arrested scores of drug dealers and smugglers. We thank the local residents, who have stood up against such criminal acts and supporting security operations with credible information.”
He further warned that such criminal dealings can also lead to the spread of the COVID-19 across borders.
In July, Police in Nyagatare town also seized 18, 600 pieces of the non-biodegradable products and arrested the alleged owner. Three other people were arrested in September in Matimba Sector, also in Nyagatare with four sacks of plastic bags.
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 dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.
On the other hand, kanyanga is listed among simple narcotic drugs under Ministerial Order Nº 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorization.
Article 5 of the Ministerial Order defines simple narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, precursors and unauthorised drinks as alcoholic drinks produced without complying with standards and other laws; chemical substances whose original intended use has been altered, and applied as narcotic drug.
Anyone convicted for simple narcotic drugs under article 263 of the law determining offences and penalties in general, face between seven and ten years in prison and a fine of between Frw5 million and Rwf10 million.
GroFin clients in Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Ghana are also benefitting from €5,2 million in funding from the Investing for Employment (IFE) facility. GroFin is partnering with IFE, which is a subsidiary of the German Development Bank (KfW) and forms an integral part of the German Government’s Special Initiative on Training and Employment (“Invest for Jobs”).
Under the Invest for Jobs brand, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) offers a package of measures to support investment activities that have a high impact on employment in Africa, of which IFE is one key pillar
GroFin is a multinational, private developmental finance institution committed to the successful development of SMEs to create sustainable wealth, employment, and economic growth. It provides funding to the underserved market of small and growing businesses that often struggle to access funding from traditional financiers.
Rwandan entrepreneurs have received 40% of the total €5,2 million in funding and these local beneficiaries have commended GroFin for its support in aiding their recovery, enabling them to sustain their operations, and to protect employment.
Wilson Gafurama, managing director of GroFin client RGL Security, explained that some of its business activities were halted due to COVID-19, while some of its clients failed to pay their debts to the company. He thanked GroFin for interventions that helped the company to return to normalcy. RGL has over 3000 employees.
“Some clients halted their operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We used to work with 400 institutions, including gaming companies. Some suspended their activities without clearing payments,” he said.
GroFin assisted RGL by conducting an assessment to gauge the impact of COVID-19 on the business and enabled it to access IFE grant funding to pay its employees for two months.
“It is in this context that GroFin came to us and analysed our business. In November, they provided two-month salaries for our employees,” Gafurama noted.
“It was the first time we received grant funding since the establishment of the company. We were overwhelmed to see a financial institution willing to provide over Rwf 200 million in funding to us. This made an immense contribution to the company’s smooth operations and wellbeing of RGL employees,” added Gafurama.
Dr Ubarijoro Sowaf, managing director of Ubuzima Polyclinic, says his business has enjoyed a good partnership with GroFin for the past eight years and benefitted from deepened support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I have received funding to mitigate the effect of COVID-19, which helped me to pay employees and clear outstanding debt. The ongoing partnership I experienced with GroFin is highly commendable. We used the Rwf 173 million in funding to mitigate effect of the pandemic by repaying an Rwf 100 million loan, to buy hospital equipment needed on daily basis and to pay employees for six months,” he said.
Wenceslas Habamungu, managing director and owner of Ecoplastic, a recycling business producing plastic bags in Mageragere in Nyarugenge district, says GroFin has helped the company in the areas of business advisory and training.
“Working with GroFin has tangible and mutual benefits. Unlike some banks, GroFin never abandons its clients and continues equipping you with soft skills and tangible support until your business is successful and sustainable,” he said.
“GroFin provides loans and then further assists in managing these funds for free. This is something that would normally be a paid-for service. This shows how advantageous it is to with work with GroFin as they provide all necessary support for business growth,” added Habamungu.
Christian Bugabo, the Investment Executive who heads up GroFin Rwanda, says the funding provided through GroFin’s partnership with KfW is aligned with national efforts to support economic recovery amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The funding is aimed at supporting recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic which has shaken businesses across the board, including entrepreneurs. You must find the right partner in difficult times. The funding was greatly needed to prevent these entrepreneurs from halting their activities and to help their businesses to regain strength to create more job opportunities as the pandemic slows down,” he said.
Bugabo says GroFin will continue to walk with beneficiaries on their journey to regain growth. “We are optimistic that their operations will progress further. GroFin will sustain closer collaboration with beneficiary companies and provide all the necessary support for their businesses to thrive,” he reiterated.
Headquartered in Mauritius, GroFin offers financing and support to SMEs in 14 countries in Africa and the Middle East. It is supported by 34 international finance institutions, development organisations, and private funders who have committed nearly $535 million in capital.
GroFin has been operating in Rwanda for 13 years – since 2007. To date, it has invested $24 million to support 56 entrepreneurs in the country. This paved the way for the creation of 4033 jobs, of 32% of which are held by women and 75% of which are held by unskilled or semi-skilled workers.
GroFin provides loans ranging between $100,000 (over Rwf 98 million) and $1,5 million (over Rwf 1,4 billion) to help them increase profitability, create jobs, and contribute to national economic development.
Newly connected residents attest that electricity paved the way for income generating activities and transformed livelihoods.
“We used to work in darkness during evening hours that security of our security was compromised. Electricity has however changed the situation. We are no longer exposed to security haphazard, we easily recharge phones and listen to radios without interruptions,” said Umutoni Francine from Mubuga business centre in Rwabicuma sector.
Ngendahimana Vincent, a teacher at Groupe Scolaire Mubuga explained that electricity has facilitated quality education enabling them to impart ICT and computer skills easily.
“We used to focus on theoretical parts but electricity has become a game changer that students are acquainted with practical skills,” he said.
Nsengiyumva Eric, a student revealed that they would experience difficulties to revise studies using lanterns yet they didn’t have enough kerosene. “With electricity, I can revise studies, attend to home works and study without complexities,” he explained.
The mayor of Nyanza district, Ntazinda Erasme said that a lot of efforts were expended in the provision of electricity over the past five years that saw the district recording a remarkable improvement.
“Newly electricity installations covered 272 km. This improved electricity access from 12 to 42% currently. We also extended road lights from 10 to 30 kilometers,” he explained.
Ntazinda has revealed that at least 70% households will be connected to the main grid by 2024.
“This year alone, we have a mega project dubbed ‘Cyabakamyi’ that will extend electricity to 6000 households. The project will cover different sectors including Mukingo, Cyabakamyi, Busasamana, Rwabicuma and Nyagisozi, “he said.
Ntazinda underscored that the project complements other small projects implemented in partnership with Rwanda Energy Group (REG) to extend electricity to other households. Among others, a factory to manufacture electricity cables is under construction in Nyanza district to help the country meet demand locally.
The latter is expected to be completed in February 2021 with annual production capacity between 4500 and 5000 kilometer-long cables.
The Deputy Commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety department, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Gerald Mpayimana highlighted that 90% of road accidents are caused by pedestrians and motorcyclists violating traffic rules.
Severe accidents inflicting injuries also reduced to 600 from 800 of 2019.
ACP Mpayimana cited distracted driving and over speeding among other major causes of road accidents.
He encourages motorists and pedestrians to be cautious especially during these festive seasons when curfew hours have been extended pushing drivers to over speed when they are late to return home.
“We remind passengers to be vigilant, avoid crossing the road before observing moving vehicles from all sides for own security,” said ACP Mpayimana.
