The new cases found yesterday are from Kigali :8, Musanze :8, Rubavu: 4, Rusizi:3, Gicumbi:2, Nyagatare: 1, Gatsibo: 1, and Burera:1.
5480 equivalent to 92.5 % of all cases have recovered while active cases are 391. The Government of Rwanda has strengthened COVID-19 preventive measures and expects to deploy dogs in identification of COVID-19 patients next month.
Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 case on 14th March 2020. 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 community work worth Rwf 500,000 was held on Saturday November 2020 in Taba village of Murama cell in Kinyinya sector.
The gesture is part of Rotary Club’s initiatives to contribute to inclusive development.
During the community work, members of Rotary Club along with Rotaract members from University of Rwanda’s College of Education and School of Finance and Business planted 20 ornamental trees, built a kitchen backyard garden and prepared the ground upon which a garden for local early childhood center will be developed.
The Assistant District Governor – District 9150, Jeannette Rugera said the community work was meant to provide a favorable environment with all requirements for learners as the school is completed.
She explained that the kitchen garden will contribute to the provision of balanced diet for children.
“These activities will enable a conducive learning environment with fresh air and provision of balanced diet. We are delighted for the activity as partners for the district and the Government in general,” she noted.
Gasabo district is constructing over 900 classrooms to facilitate studies while adhering to COVID-19 health guidelines once completed.
The Director for Good Governance in Gasabo district, Jonas Shema hailed the contribution of Rotary Club to the promotion of education highlighting that new classrooms will reduce overcrowding and long distances from homes to school.
Among others, Rotary Club committed to provide water tanks, desks and hand washing facilities to EAR TABA, a school with primary and early childhood center under construction.
Rotary Clubs members who participated in the community work were from different clubs Kigali Virunga, Kigali Doyen and Kigali Mont Jali additional to Rotaracts (Rotary Club junior members from universities) from College of education (former KIE), SFB, African Leadership University and Kigali City.
Rotary Club Rwanda comprises of six clubs including Musanze, Kigali Mont Jali, Kigali Virunga, Kigali Doyen, Gasabo and Butare with 122 members.
Rotary Clubs intervene in the provision of safe water, promoting quality education, prevention of pandemics, eradication of poverty, environment protection, striving for durable peace and promoting citizens’ livelihoods.
As for ordinary trade principles, the more customers increase the faster progress is attained. This is however contrary to environment protection principle whereby increased numbers might lead to losses. This requires strong measures to promote tourism and protect biodiversity in the ecosystem as well.
Figures show that Akagera National Park recorded 15,000 visits annually from 2010 until 2019 when numbers increased significantly to 50,000.
The management of the park recently informed partners that the park sometimes would record higher visits beyond its capacity in the last four months of the year which posed risks to the park and visitors.
“One of strategies to reduce the high rate of visits and related consequences to the park without affecting revenues to preserve the park is the revision of prices. The new policy intends to mobilize visitors to spend long time. We have witnessed this especially during this period of recovering domestic tourism and needs reinforcement,” reads in part the park’s statement.
{{Doubled prices }}
New reforms include increasing prices to visit Akagera National Park and offering discount when a visitor spends the second and the third night. There will be no extra payments from the 4th until the 7th night.
As per new entry fees to be effected on 15th January 2021, a Rwandan or member of East African Community (EAC) will pay US$16 (Rwf 15,000) up from US$7.50 (Rwf 6,500) per day or night.
A person spending two nights in the park will pay US$24 (Rwf 22,500) and Rwf 30,000 entry fees for three nights.
Effective January 2021, entry fees for international visitors has been fixed at US$100 from US$50 per night. If the visitor is to spend two nights, the entry price is fixed at US$150 and US$200 for three nights.
Children aged 5 and under are free of charge, no entry fee or activities fees apply. Activity fees rates for children are applicable for 6 – 12 year olds. 13 year olds and above pay adult rates for entry fees and activities.
Children between 6 and 12 from Rwanda and EAC will pay US$11 (Rwf10,000) up from US$4 (Rwf3,500). The price for two and three nights is respectively fixed at US$16 (Rwf15,000) and US$21 (Rwf20,000).
Prices for cars have also been reduced. A small car registered in Rwanda or EAC will be charged US$10 down from US$12 (Rwf10,000) while large vehicles carrying tourists will be charged US$20 down from US$24 (Rwf20.000).
Prices for small and large cars out of EAC remained the same at US$40 and US$100.
{{Group fees and annual passes }}
Usually, a group of over 20 Rwandans would get Rwf 1500 discount per individual, thus paying Rwf5000 entry fees each.
The new pricing has extended the discount for adults and children. Groups of Rwandan Nationals of more than 20 people automatically receive a group discount of 2,000 Rwf and will be charged at Rwf 12,000 per adult and 8,000 Rwf per child.
As for annual passes, the price for an individual from Rwanda or EAC remained the same at Rwf 95,000. The price has however been increased from Rwf 115,000 to Rwf 150,000 for two persons and Rwf150,000 to Rwf205,000 for a family.
Annual passes for foreigners living in Rwanda or EAC has increased to US$300 from US$250. The price has been fixed at US$500 from US$400 for two people and US$700 from US$600 for a family.
There will be no further charges for already booked passes.
The revised prices do not concern accommodation fees at Ruzizi Tented Lodge and Karenge Bush Camp which remained at US$25 and US$40 respectively for half and whole day.
Akagera National Park is home to the big five on the continent including Lions, Rhinos, Elephant, Buffalo and Leopard.
Apart from the presence of over 482 bird species, the park is also home to various wild and aquatic animals.
Dual Clinical Practice refers to clinical work, which may be undertaken physically within or outside public health facilities and within or outside providers’ contracted hours of public sector employment. Furthermore, a worker is able to receive remuneration on a contractual basis within their same respective public health facility.
“The Ministry of Health recognizes that dual clinical practice is beneficial in the health sector, conversely with the capacity to enforce regulations that allow patients to get health care services in public health facilities,” said Dr Daniel Ngamije, the Minister of Health.
A set of modalities have already been set in the Dual Clinical Practice to ensure that health practitioners have reasonable workloads and clients still get quality services.
According to the Ministry’s statement, Medical doctors and dental surgeons will do dual clinical practice in their appointed public health facility on a contractual basis after allocated working hours.
They, however, are allowed to provide services in one private health facility during their days off and weekends. Under specific circumstances and after assessment, the Minister of Health may authorize a Medical Doctor or a Dental Surgeon to practice in an additional public hospital.
Also, to ensure that services provided do not compromise the quality of care and patient safety, the number of patients managed and procedures performed in dual clinical practice shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of those performed during the normal working hours.
The Ministry of Health, after assessing requests from health facilities, shall allow them to start operating dual clinical practice. Health facilities will also be required to set up an electronic system to monitor visits, acts, procedures, and generated incomes.
The Ministry of Health shall commission an independent assessment of the Dual Clinical Practice implementation after the first six (6) months to inform policy review and decision making.
In Nyabihu District, one Francois Niyonzima, 34, was intercepted in Mukamira Sector, on November 27, trafficking 30kgs of cannabis on a motorcycle.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that Niyonzima, a commercial motorcyclist operating in Musanze District and a resident of Kinigi Sector, is part of the drug trafficking syndicate, whose role is to transport the narcotics mainly from Rubavu to other destinations in different parts of the country.
“Niyonzima, was on the list of drug traffickers. On November 27, Police received credible information that he was headed to Kigali from Rubavu District with two bundles of cannabis on a motorcycle,” CIP Karekezi said.
He added: “A Police roadblock was mounted in Mukamira, Nyabihu District, but Niyonzima was stubborn and violent… he refused to stop when officers stopped him. They trailed him but he threw one bundle of cannabis in the road to cause mayhem and to lead the Police vehicle, which was trailing him, into an accident; however, his plan did not work.
During the chase, residents intercepted him, but he was armed with a machete and tried to harm them. Fortunately, realised that he was outnumbered and Police officers were armed. He gave-in and was taken into custody.”
CIP Karekezi disclosed that law enforcement organs have since identified two other members of the same syndicate, including the alleged rightful owner of the narcotics in Kigali.
“We know Niyonzima got the narcotics from another supplier in Bugeshi Sector in Rubavu, at a place called Kubukombe. We also know that he was hired by one Dieudonne Nshimiyimana to deliver the narcotics to him in Kigali. Nshimiyimana was actually with Niyonzima in Rubavu and was riding ahead of him (Niyonzima), acting as a spotter. When he realised that Niyonzima had been spotted by the Police, he fled prior.”
Available information indicate that Nshimiyimana had paid Niyonzima Frw40,000 to transport the narcotics to Kigali and it was the second time that the duo was working together in the same criminal deal, having succeeded in their first attempt.
Niyonzima was handed over to RIB at Mukamira station for further legal process.
“Most of the successful operations include major dealers on the list compiled with the help of the general public and local leaders. Operations are continuous with the ultimate goal of breaking chains of supply and to kill the consumption market through awareness.”
Elsewhere, in Kirehe District, Police foiled trafficking of two sacks of cannabis weighing 72kgs, which were being sneaked into Rwanda from Burundi through Akagera River in Gahara Sector.
“Four people, who were trafficking the sacks of cannabis, abandoned them and fled back to Burundi after seeing Police officers,” CIP Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said.
The four drug traffickers said to be Burundi nationals, he said, were reported by local authorities in Murehe Cell of Gahara Sector.
In this week alone six big drug dealers have been arrested.
On November 23, another taxi-moto operator was intercepted in Jomba Sector, Nyabihu District transporting about 10,000 pellets of cannabis.
Four other suspected drug traffickers, who are members of the same chain of supply, were arrested the following day in Nyabihu and Kigali with combined 6500 rolls of cannabis.
The Ministerial Order No. 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorization classifies cannabis as a “very severe drug.”
The law determining offences and penalties in general in Rwanda, especially in its article 263, provides an imprisonment of between 20 years and life, for anyone convicted for very severe narcotic drugs and a fine of up to Rwf30 million.
The cardinals were installed in a ceremony, known as a consistory that was markedly slimmed down because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ceremony held on Saturday was attended by in-service Cardinals and 11 cardinal-elects among 13 recently appointed by Pope Francis on 25th October 2020.
Cardinals from Brunei and the Philippines could not travel and will receive their ring and biretta from a papal delegate.
Instead of the usual thousands, only 10 guests per cardinal were allowed in St. Peter’s Basilica as the pope gave the men their ring and traditional red hat, known as a biretta.
Nine of the 13 are under 80 and eligible under Church law to enter a secret conclave to choose the next pope from among themselves after Francis dies or resigns.
It was Francis’ seventh consistory since his election in 2013. He has now appointed 57% of the 128 cardinal electors, most of whom share his vision of a more inclusive and outward-looking Church.
Thus far, he has appointed 18 cardinals from mostly far-flung countries that never had one, nearly all of them from the developing world including Antoine Kambanda becoming Rwanda’s first ever cardinal.
While Europe still has the largest share of cardinal electors, with 41%, it is down from 52% in 2013 when Francis became the first Latin-American pope.
With each consistory, Francis has increased the chances that his successor will be another non-European, having beefed up the church in places where it is either a tiny minority or where it is growing faster than in the stagnant West.
The nine new electors come from Italy, Malta, Rwanda, the United States, the Philippines, Chile, Brunei and Mexico.
In his homily, Francis told the men to keep their eyes on God, avoid all forms of corruption, and not succumb to a “worldly spirit” that can accompany the prestige and power of their new rank.
Everyone in the basilica except the pope wore a mask. Each new cardinal removed his own when he knelt to be invested.
Four non-electors over 80 were given the honor after a long service to the church.
The most prominent is Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, an Italian-American who has worked around the world and is one of the church’s top experts on immigration.
Rwanda’s Cardinal, Kambanda is expected to continue exercising his role as the Archbishop of Kigali Diocese though he is elevated in high rank of Cardinal.
Rwanda becomes the 24th African country with a Cardinal.
Kambanda was born on 10th November 1958. He is among Rwandans ordained priests by Pope Jean Paul II on 8th September 1990 during his visit to Rwanda.
Pope Francis had appointed Kambanda Bishop of Kibungo Diocese in May 2013 and later in 2018 Archbishop of Kigali Diocese.
{{Names of new Cardinals installed by Pope Francis}}
– Archbishop Marcello Semeraro,73, Italian, prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
– Archbishop Antoine Kambanda, Rwandan, 62, Archbishop of Kigali.
– Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, American, 72, Archbishop of Washington D.C.
– Archbishop Jose F. Advincula, 68, Filipino, Archbishop of Capiz.
– Archbishop Celestino Aos Braco, 75, Spanish, archbishop of Santiago, Chile.
– Archbishop Cornelius Sim, 69, Brunei, apostolic vicar of Brunei
– Archbishop Augusto Paolo Lojudice, 56, Italian, archbishop of Siena, Italy.
– Father Mauro Gambetti, 55, Italian, custodian of the Franciscan convent of St. Francis in Assisi.
New cardinals over 80 years old and being honoured for their long service to the Church. They cannot enter a conclave.
– Bishop Felipe Arizmendi Esquivel, 80, Mexican, bishop-emeritus of San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico.
– Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, 80, Italian, archbishop, former ambassador, expert on immigration.
– Father Raniero Cantalamessa, 86, Italian, long-time preacher of the papal household
– Father Enrico Feroci, 80, Italian, pastor of the Divino Amore sanctuary in Rome.
The Church’s Code of Canon Law states, “Those promoted as cardinals are men freely selected by the Roman Pontiff, who are at least in the order of presbyterate and are especially outstanding for their doctrine, morals, piety, and prudence in action; those, however, who are not yet bishops must receive episcopal consecration” (Canon 351).
An earlier text in the Code describes the tasks that fall to cardinals. It remarks cardinals elect the pope and provide assistance when the pontiff summons them together to discuss matters of particular importance.
Cardinals also assist the pope in less visible ways, such as when they serve as the administrative directors of various Vatican offices.
Established in 2010, Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) was the result of merging the former National Prisons Service and the Executive Secretariat of National Committee of Community Services as an alternative penalty to imprisonment.
RCS has transformed into an institution that rehabilitates inmates into more responsible citizens upon release.
During celebrations held yesterday, RCS Commissioner General, CG George Rwigamba explained that the institution has over the past ten years achieved a lot including expansion of prisons, revising inmates correction strategies and providing them with Mutuelle de Sante.
“We have expanded activities over the past ten years that we currently have 13 prisons. One of them is Nyagatare Juvenile Prison designed to meet human rights requirements. In the meantime, four new prisons were constructed and renovated many more. Before, prison infrastructures were old, small and lacking essentials to correct inmates appropriately,” he said.
The institution is also proud to have changed mindsets that prisons are no longer perceived for painful penalties but rather a chance for correction whereby inmates acquire different skills for survival as they are reintegrated in the community.
However, RCS says, inmates’ transformed livelihoods should not give room for offenses.
Anastase Nabahire, the Justice, Reconciliation, Law and Order Sector Secretariat Coordinator in the Ministry of Justice who represented the Minister of Justice during the ceremony hailed RCS contribution in shaping inmates’ behaviors and equipping them with different skills.
Since inception, RCS increased prison warders from 1000 to 2000.
As of today, Rwanda has 13 prisons accommodating over 75,000 inmates.
The handover took place this Saturday at RAF headquarters in Remera in presence of Germany ambassador in Rwanda, Dr Thomas Kurz and RAF President , Fidèle Mubiligi.
Received kits include starting-blocks, shotput, discus, javelin and baton relays.
Dr Thomas Kurz revealed that the donations align with efforts to support athletics in Rwanda and assured continues support in different areas.
“It is part of existing partnership. Even though some activities were suspended due to COVID-19, we hope they will resume next year and continue training coaches like we did last year in November. Some coaches are given scholarship for training in Germany and hope to continue doing so,” he said.
The President of RAF, Fidèle Mubiligi explained there was a gap before receiving the equipment.
“We had shortage of such equipment yet available ones are outdated. It will help us to prepare our athletes to get familiar with better equipment and use them accordingly during international competitions,” he said.
RAF also revealed that these equipment will enable to organize more competitions that were suspended over scarce resources.
In Kigali, one Kennedy Ngirabakunzi was arrested in Intwali Village, Rwampara Cell of Nyarugenge Sector in Nyarugenge District, in possession of 40kgs of Cassiterite.
Ngirabakunzi had allegedly acquired the minerals from another suspected illegal mineral dealer in Rutonde Cell, Shyorongi Sector in Rulindo District, according to the Police.
“Following information from a resident that Ngirabakunzi is an illegal mineral dealer and had acquired some quantities of Cassiterite from another mineral dealer in Shyorongi, he was intercepted in Nyarugenge with 40kgs. He was at the time transporting the precious minerals on a motorcycle, which was also impounded,” said Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali.
Four others were arrested in Kamonyi District. They include the trio of Jean de Dieu Ndahimana, Sandrine Niyoniringira and Tito Hagenimana, who were arrested in Rukoma Sector with 26.5kgs of coltan; and Samuel Mugisha, who was arrested in Kayenzi Sector where he was found mining.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that the separate operations had been planned and targeted individuals and groups listed as illegal minerals dealers.
“Ndahimana, Niyoniringira and Hagenimana were on the list of illegal minerals dealers in Kamonyi. On Wednesday night, Police received information that Ndahimana and Niyoniringira had brought new consignments of minerals at their homes in Bugoba and Mwirute cells, respectively.
During the Police search at about 5am on Thursday, officers recovered 20kgs of coltan from the house of Niyoniringira and 6.5kgs in the house of Ndahimana,” said SP Kanamugire.
“Later that early morning, Police officers directed their operations at the coltan concession in Rukoma, from where they got the minerals. They caught their accomplice Hagenimana at the site with a generator, spades, torches and a weighing scale, which they were using in illegal mining as well as a motorcycle, which they were using to transport the minerals,” he added.
Meanwhile, Samuel Mugisha was arrested at a mining concession located in Kayenzi Sector, Bugarama Cell in Buhurura Village.
“Besides dealing in minerals or conducting mining illegally, the two concessions in Rukoma and Kayenzi are no longer in use. They were closed over safety concerns and entering in these tunnels is like committing suicide. Targeted operations against these unlawful and life-threatening activities are continuous,” SP Kanamugire 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 orders confiscation of any seized minerals or quarry in storage, trading or processing without a license.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that the illegal gathering was reported by residents in the area.
“Residents had reported that this specific religious group converges in the forest every Thursday. Reacting to this information, security organs and local leaders, on Thursday, went to the forest where the 42 people were found gathered, praying. Majority of them are members of ADEPR Church from the sectors of Gishubi, Mamba and Muganza,” said SP Kanamugire.
The violators include 28 women and nine men, with five children. 32 violators are residents of Muganza Sector; seven came from Gishubi Sector while three others are from Mamba.
“They were close to each other, no social distancing and only nine of them wore a facemask. They were fined for the violations, but were also enlightened on the pandemic, the way it’s transmitted or spread, national directives and health guidelines that must be followed,” the spokesperson said.
He thanked the residents, who reported the unlawful gathering and reminded the general public that Coronavirus is a serious and deadly virus spread by people due to their inappropriate behaviours and actions that are contrary to the directives and safety guidelines.
