Places of worship are required to accommodate 50% of their capacity and respect all COVID-19 control measures including social distancing, washing hands, and wearing of face mask.
Under the newly issued guidelines, the Ministry of Local Government has revealed that ‘faith-based organizations can organize religious gatherings for more two days of choice per week and inform local leaders from the sector in which a church is located’.
The two days will be additional to existing proclaimed days of worship especially, Friday for Muslims; Saturday for Adventists and Sunday for other churches.
Burial and wedding ceremonies will also continue to be observed anytime respecting COVID-19 guidelines.
The guidelines also indicate that religious gatherings for people in advanced ages from 65 and above should be exclusively held except those leading church services.
Children from six and above have been also allowed to go to pray together with their siblings or parents.
Baptism and other sacraments will be ordained respecting COVID-19 health guidelines.
Ambassador Rwakazina is Rwanda’s ambassador to the Holy See with residence in Geneva, Switzerland. She also represents Rwanda to the United Nations and various organizations.
During the ceremony, other ambassadors from nine countries including Denmark, Estonia, India, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Mauritania, Uzbekistan and Zambia also presented letters of credence to represent their countries.
After presenting credential letters to Pope Francis, Amb. Rwakazina held bilateral talks known as ‘Concordat’ with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin which focused on strengthening bilateral relations between Rwanda and the Holy See.
A concordat is a convention between the Holy See and a sovereign state that defines the relationship between the Catholic Church and the state in matters that concern both the recognition and privileges of the Catholic Church in a particular country and with secular matters that impact on church interests.
Diplomatic relations between Rwanda and the Holy See were established 56 years ago but were profoundly affected with involvement of members of the Catholic Church in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Rwakazina’s presentation of credentials comes only a week after Cardinal Antoine Kambanda was installed cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory held on 28th November 2020.
{The forest is under the conservation of the University of Rwanda, Huye Campus.
Those arrested on Thursday, December 3, are Bernard Twahirwa, 49, Alexis Nshimiyimana, 26, and Paul Ntayomba, 42.}
Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that the trio was reported by the local night security patrol—Irondo.
“At about 6pm on Thursday, members of Irondo in Taba Village, Cyarwa Cell in Tumba Sector, while on duty, saw Twahirwa and Nshimiyimana carrying trees. They followed them to the home of Ntayomba where a heap of trees was found,” SP Kanamugire said.
He added: “At first, the suspects argued that they got the trees from their forest, but they later disclosed that they got the trees from the protected university forest in Tumba, where we later found that more than 100 trees were cut. However, the suspects together with other people, who were armed with machetes, tried to harm the Irondo personnel. The local security personnel called the Police and the three prime suspects were taken into custody.”
Twahirwa and Nshimiyimana were selling the trees to Ntayomba. The suspects were handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau at Ngoma station.
The spokesperson warned of increased operations against human practices that destroy the environment such as charcoal burning, construction and cutting trees for sell.
Article 44 of the law on environment, prohibits cutting trees in forests or protected areas like national parks or burning them.
Article 59 of the same legal instrument stipulates that any person, who causes death, destroys protected plants, harvests or damages them, commits an offence.”
Upon conviction, the offender is liable to an imprisonment term of not less than three years and not more than five years and a fine of between Rwf1 million and Rwf3 million
The upgrading of the school with infrastructures facilitating people living with disabilities was funded by the Unites States through the management of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).
The ceremony that took place yesterday was also attended by US ambassador in Rwanda, Peter Vrooman.
Some of completed activities include the construction of 12 new classrooms, renovating 7 classrooms, building 30 latrines, and establishing water supply system at the school.
AFRICOM also took part in the renovation of Groupe Scolaire Tyazo located in Western Province.
Minister Uwamariya lauded US support observing that it is a way of investing for the future.
“The support to the education sector reflects on the country’s development,” she said.
The ceremony coincided with the International Day of Persons Living with Disabilities celebrated on 3rd December.
The school which also received books; accommodates 1026 pupils including 658 girls and 378 boys.
In October, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced five-year plan to provide Rwf 605 billion funding to support different development initiatives in Rwanda where a huge amount will be designated for education projects.
The objective of the service is to allow convenience and easy access to Airtime stock for electronic recharge to MTN resellers, while supporting and giving additional value to the agents’ point of sale.
Speaking about this partnership with Seamless Distribution Systems AB (SDS), MTN Rwanda’s Chief Sales & Distribution Officer, Norman Munyampundu said: “This service will be very useful when resellers in the trade run out of stock or have insufficient balance to complete a recharge transaction. This borrowed credit is automatically recovered upon the next stock purchase by the reseller.”
This service is expected to increase active electronic airtime resellers at a time when business recovery and stability is key.
MTN Rwanda has also enhanced its Electronic Recharge Services (ERS) platform that will see MTN Agents self-serve by replenishing their Airtime Stock accounts via MoMo. Agents will no longer have to wait for motorists to physically deliver stock to them, the process is now fully digital.
“The Reseller Microcredit and Airtime stock replenishment via MoMo are two solutions that we are introducing in the trade as a continuation of our channel digitization initiatives. Our commitment is to the customer first and we believe this will positively impact their experience,” added Munyampundu.
In February 2020, MTN made a crucial milestone in its path to digitalisation by phasing out the use of physical airtime vouchers in the channel in favour of a fully digital solution.
Commenting on the development, MTN Rwanda CEO, Mitwa Ng’ambi expressed delight for making 100% of MTN Airtime sold in the market digitally.
“With the expansion of our agent network coupled with the improved airtime replenishment service, we are confident that this will position us to effectively drive our ambition of Leading Digital for a Brighter Rwanda,” she said.
{{About MTN Rwanda }}
MTN Rwanda is the market leader in the mobile telecommunications industry in Rwanda. Since 1998, MTN Rwanda has continuously invested in expanding and modernizing its network and is now proudly Rwanda’s No 1 Internet Network. MTN Rwanda offers superior services to its subscriber base, including innovative propositions such as personalized voice and data offers with MTN Irekure. The company is also the front runner in Mobile Financial Services in Rwanda with Mobile Money, MoMoPay and MoKash Loans and Savings.
Dr Nsanzabaganwa who is the current Deputy Governor, National Bank of Rwanda, revealed her commitments following her secondment to the position by the Government of Rwanda.
“I thank the Government of Rwanda, President Paul Kagame for seconding me candidate for African Union Commission Deputy Chairperson position. If elected, I commit to driving efficiency and accountability as well as financial sustainability, and to personally represent the moral authority and integrity the AU stands for,” she revealed in a tweet.
Her candidature was announced on Thursday evening during a ceremony in which the Minister of Foreign Affairs and regional coopeation, Dr Vincent Biruta hosted members of the African Diplomatic Corps for dinner.
The position is currently held by a Ghanaian, Quartey Thomas Kwesi who took office in 2017. Like the Chairperson of the African Union, the deputy holds the office for four-year term, renewable once. Their term will come to an end next year.
The current AU Commission chairperson, Faki Mahamat stands many chances to remain the only candidate for the position. He will, however, be required to win two thirds of votes by head of states from member states to stay in office.
It will be the first elections after approving AU steering reforms led by President Paul Kagame.
The reforms incorporate clauses that gender balance should be respected in the leadership of African Union Commission, which means, Mahamat should be deputized by a woman if reelected.
To this end, majority candidates for the Deputy Chairman of the AU Commission are women (5 out of 8) including Dr Nsanzabaganwa.
The Deputy Chairperson of the AUC assists the Chairperson in the execution of his or her functions to ensure the smooth running of the Commission and is in charge of administration and finance.
Dr Nsanzabaganwa, 49, introduced as Rwanda’s candidate to deputize Mahamat has longstanding experience qualifying her fit for the position.
She holds honorary doctorate received from Stellenbosch University in South Africa for her contribution to Rwanda’s development.
Dr Nsanzabaganwa is the Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda since May 2011. Prior to that, she served as Minister of Trade and Industry (2008-2011) and Minister of State in charge of Economic Planning in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (2003-2008).
She is a holder of a PhD in Economics, and a Doctorate of Commerce Honoris Causa, both obtained from Stellenbosch University, South Africa. She is an influential voice in financial inclusion in Rwanda and on international scene as well as a passionate actor in women’s economic empowerment and financial inclusion.
Among others,she is also a member of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion’s Gender Inclusive Finance Committee, an alumna of Women’s World Banking African Advisory Council, and Founding Member and Chairperson of New Faces New Voices Rwanda. She is a wife and mother.
With this funding received from Sweden , AFR Phase III Strategy will focus on deepening financial inclusion and resilience of unserved and underserved groups such as women, young girls and boys, people with disabilities, smallholder farmers and refugees.
The strategy will also support businesses to access finance for their growth and meaningful jobs creation.
It will also help AFR to continue playing its catalytic role to influence the financial sector to innovate and adopt technology to accelerate financial inclusion, economic growth and the cashless agenda as well as playing a significant role as knowledge broker for the financial sector while at the same time developing the capacity of market actors to take this on in the future.
Ms. Christina Wedekull, the Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in Kigali, Rwanda, disclosed that this funding commitment to AFR is well aligned with the Swedish Development Cooperation commitment to support an inclusive and sustainable development.
Inclusive economic growth and job creation is fundamental for marginalized groups especially when mitigating the effects of covid-19. Further digitalization and a thriving financial sector is key moving forward and the private sector is an engine that needs to be fueled.
Mr. Jean Bosco Iyacu, the Acting Country Director of Access to Finance Rwanda, highlighted that the funding demonstrates the increased confidence towards the institution’s collective efforts of supporting the financial sector to be robust, innovate and inclusive.
“The funding will support AFR to strengthen the depth and breadth of the financial system, catalyse economic transformation through efficient capital allocation and support meaningful financial inclusion and resilience of the underserved segments of the population,” he said.
Her candidature was announced on Thursday evening during a ceremony in which Dr Biruta hosted members of the African Diplomatic Corps for dinner.
The position is currently held by a Ghanaian, Quartey Thomas Kwesi who took office in 2017. Like the Chairperson of the African Union, the deputy holds the right for four-year term renewable once. Their term will terminate next year.
President Paul Kagame recently revealed that Rwanda supports the candidature of Moussa Faki Mahamat, the current Chairperson of the African Union Commission for the second tenure.
He made the revelation as he took part in the Second Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union, Regional Economic Committees and the Regional Mechanisms alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa who chairs the AU and Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chair of the African Union Commission.
As he concluded his remarks, Kagame said: “I wanted to join the President of Tchad, my brother President Déby, in support of Moussa Faki, who has come back as the candidate running for chair of our African Union Commission. I also join in support of Dr Ngozi as the candidate for the director-general of the World Trade Organization.”
Mahamat, former Tchad’s Minister of Foreign Affairs was elected to chair the African Union Commission in January 2017.
Dr Nsanzabaganwa, 49, introduced as Rwanda’s candidate to deputize Mahamat, holds honorary doctorate received from Stellenbosch University in South Africa for her contribution to Rwanda’s development.
She is the Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda since May 2011. Prior to that, she served as Minister of Trade and Industry (2008-2011) and Minister of State in charge of Economic Planning in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (2003-2008).
Dr. Nsanzabaganwa is a holder of a PhD in Economics and a Doctorate of Commerce Honoris Causa, both obtained from Stellenbosch University, South Africa. She is an influential voice in financial inclusion in her country and on international scene as well as a passionate actor in women’s economic empowerment and financial inclusion.
Dr. Nsanzabaganwa is also a member of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion’s Gender Inclusive Finance Committee, an alumna of Women’s World Banking African Advisory Council, and Founding Member and Chairperson of New Faces New Voices Rwanda. She is a wife and mother.
The figures were revealed yesterday during the ‘Police High Council’ held at Police headquarters in Kacyiru and chaired by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Johnston Busingye.
The council was also attended by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza and Deputy IGPs; Juvenal Marizamunda in charge of Administration and Personnel, and Felix Namuhoranye for Operations.
It brought together RNP leadership, heads of departments and territorial units, regional, and district commanders, among others. It also tackled other aspects related to the response to COVID-19, force discipline and welfare.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza said that the Council held towards the end of the year provides a platform to assess what has been achieved, where the force stands and the future prospects in terms of provision of security for the people and their property but in consideration of the law.
He explained that the welfare of Police officers, service delivery, continuous while training aimed at improving skills, acquiring modern policing equipment, infrastructure development are also given emphasis though some members are held accountable for indiscipline cases.
Despite the efforts to further improve the welfare of Police officers, some of them exhibit acts of indiscipline such as soliciting bribes. In this year, 425 Police officers were held accountable for various cases of indiscipline (corruption, desertion, drunkenness, theft and poor services). This number, however, indicates a downward trend from 587 Police officers dismissed from the force in 2019,” noted IGP Dan Munyuza.
In the provision of services, Minister Busingye challenged Police officers to always respect human rights and operate within the limits of the law, adding that whoever acts contrary is held accountable.
“Anyone, who engages in criminal acts, however small or big the crime is, affects the rights and wellbeing of the people; Rwandans have showed, through various platforms, that they cannot stand injustice. When a crime is committed, responsible institutions should act swiftly, comfort victims and bring suspects to book,” he said.
Crime prevention is the catalyst to peace, he said, adding that this should start from households, support efforts to ensure that all children are in school, young people educated to start small income generating activities and to be custodians of the law rather than being lawbreakers.
He pledged the government’s continued support towards Police professional services through training and advanced policing equipment.
In the past days, there has been a spate of public outcry in recent days criticizing some police officers for breaking the law as they enforce lawful orders that includes shooting civilians.
The latter saw President Paul Kagame issuing instructions to police top management to completely address the issue.
Later on, Police Spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera said that it was inappropriate for the police to use excessive force, and that the police are going to make efforts to inform Rwandans of how such people are being prosecuted.
He cited examples of police officers who shot dead civilians in Nyanza District and beat a resident of Rwamagana to death, all of whom were being prosecuted.
“Police officers involved in the recent incidents of brutality have been arrested and investigations are ongoing,” CP Kabera said.
“A police officer who shot people to death on March, in Nyanza on a motorcycle, was arrested, is being prosecuted. He is in prison, but people don’t know what happened next.”
Police officer who recently beat a resident of Rwamagana District, Karenge is in courts litigation. Also, another one who recently shot to death a resident of Zaza in Ngoma is under investigation. He further added that in addition to legal penalties, police officers are subject to disciplinary action including those that mistreat members of the public, those who harass citizens, those who provide poor services, and those who neglect duty, among others.
CP Kabera says that Police has the mandate to punish its members that police personnel with punishments lasting over six months are dismissed.
Mistakes attracting dismissal in Rwanda’s Police include desertion for over 15 days, possession of explosives with the intention of destabilizing security, corruption, drunkenness, theft and poor services among others.
56 of police members dismissed in August are officers including three senior officers and one at the rank of commissioner.
The list of 17/08/2020 Presidential Order dismissing Officers from Rwanda National Police includes Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mutsinzi Eric, and three Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), SSP Vuningoma Alex, SSP Kabanda Emmanuel and Kamali Celestin.
ACP Eric Mutsinzi Spokesperson in Northern Province, commander of Police Battalion on peacekeeping mission in South Sudan in 2016.
SSP Kabanda also served as Police Spokesperson of Traffic Police. In January 2019, he was among 140 police forces on peacekeeping mission in the Republic of Central Africa holding the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police.
Nine Chief Inspector of Police (CIP), Twenty Inspector of Police (IP) and 23 Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) are also among sacked officers.
The Police High Council held at the Rwanda National Police (RNP) General Headquarters in Kacyiru, is the supreme organ of the force that convenes partly to lay out priorities to be undertaken to further professionalize the force in light of the current security trends and evolving policing landscape.
The Council held in consideration of the COVID-19 health and safety guidelines was also attended by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza and Deputy IGPs; Juvenal Marizamunda in charge of Administration and Personnel, and Felix Namuhoranye for Operations.
It brought together RNP leadership, heads of departments and territorial units, regional, and district commanders, among others. It also tackled other aspects related to the response to COVID-19, force discipline and welfare.
Minister Busingye observed that the “last 20 years of RNP in policing were maximized.”
He, however, added that the resolutions adopted by the Council should continue to improve the services meant to ensure sustainable safety and security for the people living in Rwanda and their property.
“What is talked about here and the recommendations adopted should be depicted in your actions,” Minister Busingye said.
He observed that residents of Rwanda continue to appreciate and enjoy services offered by the security organs, which he said, is derived from sacrifice in the accomplishment of tasks at hand.
“Although there is security in Rwanda, there is still a lot to be done to fulfill our mandate; to address the security threats related to cross-border and cyber crimes,” he said.
He lauded the force’s efforts exhibited in responding and preventing further spread of the COVID-19, especially through awareness on the pandemic and the sacrifice Police officers continue to make in spite of the fact that some of them become infected with the virus in the process of service.
The Minister further noted that the work of the Police requires partnership with other entities and the people. He called for enhanced efforts in raising awareness to make community policing an effective tool for the citizenry to be responsive in ensuring own security and real time information sharing.
In the provision of services, Minister Busingye challenged Police officers to always respect human rights and operate within the limits of the law, adding that whoever acts contrary is held accountable.
“Anyone, who engages in criminal acts, however small or big the crime is, affects the rights and wellbeing of the people; Rwandans have showed, through various platforms, that they cannot stand injustice. When a crime is committed, responsible institutions should act swiftly, comfort victims and bring suspects to book.”
Crime prevention is the catalyst to peace, he said, adding that this should start from households, support efforts to ensure that all children are in school, young people educated to start small income generating activities and to be custodians of the law rather than being lawbreakers.
He pledged the government’s continued support towards Police professional services through training and advanced policing equipment.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza said that the Council held towards the end of the year provides a platform to assess what has been achieved, where the force stands and the future prospects in terms of provision of security for the people and their property but in consideration of the law.
{{Force discipline}}
“The welfare of Police officers, service delivery, continuous training aimed at improving skills, acquiring modern policing equipment, infrastructure development; all these are given emphasis,” IGP Munyuza said.
He added: “Despite the efforts to further improve the welfare of Police officers, some of them exhibit acts of indiscipline such as soliciting bribes. In this year, 425 Police officers were held accountable for various cases of indiscipline (corruption, desertion, drunkenness, theft and poor services). This number, however, indicates a downward trend from 587 Police officers dismissed from the force in 2019.”
{{Crimes}}
At least 49,204 crimes have been registered between January and November this year. The leading crimes are assault (14,278), theft (11,871), drug related crimes (4,011) and defilement with 4,067 cases.
According to the Police Chief, a total of 45,380 people were also arrested in the 49,204 registered crimes in these eleven months, and handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).
Among them, 18,673 were arrested over assault, 17,221 over theft, 5259 drug dealers and 4,227 were arrested over defilement.
“The number of suspects is high because, in most cases, crimes like assault, theft and drugs involve more than one person,” he said.
{{Road Safety}}
IGP Munyuza said that RNP continues to take different actions meant to further prevent accidents and improve road security.
Between January and November this year, at least 561 serious accidents were registered across the country resulting into 609 fatalities; down from 622 serious accidents recorded in the same period last year claiming 684 lives.
The construction of new Automobile Inspection Centres in Huye, Musanze and Rwamagana, each with the capacity of 200 daily inspections, he said, are part of the efforts to curb road accidents.
“We are planning to install 507 CCTV cameras on different roads in the country. The first phase of 210 cameras will be completed by the end of this year and the second phase of 297 to be completed by July next year,” IGP Munyuza said.
He thanked President Paul Kagame for the guidance and continued support to increase the capacity and capabilities of the force.
The Police Chief outlined quality services, force discipline and welfare, capacity building, community policing and fighting corruption, among others, as the key priorities of the force to further fight crimes and improve on safety and security in the country.
