As RRA conducts the Taxpayers Appreciation Month launched on 4th November, one of the key activities for this month is the visit to taxpayers at their premises to understand the nature of their business, discuss tax related issues if any, and take note of their recommendation to improve services delivered to them and tax procedures for a business friendly environment.
Mr Ruganintwali asserted that this year, the Taxpayers Appreciation Month is celebrated under the theme “Support Business for economic resilience” and this support starts by listening, to identify areas of weakness and provide guidance.
Alex Karera Kabuto, the Chief Executive Officer of Shema Power Lake Kivu welcomed RRA’s support and the initiative of reaching out to taxpayers and listening, discussing and advising where necessary.
“The tax administration has for instance facilitated this project by exempting all our imported machinery and other raw materials. On our end, we strive to comply with tax laws and procedures and when a misunderstanding arises, they provide a team to help us to solve the issue,” said Mr. Karera.
The execution time for SPLK is estimated to be 36 months. For the last 12 months, the project has paid around Rwf 4 billion in taxes. Mr Karera states that when the project becomes operational, it will be generating an estimated Rwf 5 billion monthly income, with 56 megawatts produced regularly.
Taxpayers’ visits started in Kigali City with BAKHRESA GRAIN MILL (AZAM), VOVA PRODUCTS (Matelas Dodoma), and SPERANZA, then extended in Eastern province when the management visited IMANA Steel. These visits are intended to strengthen relations between the revenue body and taxpayers and thereby improve on the level of tax compliance.
All activities comprised in the Taxpayers Appreciation Month will be concluded by celebrations at the National level on 20th November, 2020 at Kigali Convection Center.
Nyirakabanza was arrested on Tuesday, November 10, in Ryambungira Village of Gakingo Cell in Shingiro Sector alongside her casual employee called Emerence Muragijimana, 22.
Muragijimana was allegedly helping Nyirakabanza in searching for customers and delivery. Muragijimana was also, at the time, negotiating with a guised buyer of the very severe drugs.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Alexis Rugigana, the Police spokesperson of the Northern region, said that ANU trailed Nyirakabanza after getting information that she is a major drug dealer and mainly supplying retailers in City of Kigali.
“A community policing partner in Kigali told ANU about Nyirakabanza’s suspected criminal dealings. ANU later learnt that she had a new consignment of cannabis, they trailed her to Musanze where she was arrested alongside Muragijimana with a bundle containing 6,500 pellets of the drug,” CIP Rugigana said.
“A guised buyer was supposed to pay FRW1.2 million for the 6,500 pellets of cannabis when ANU reined in and arrested the duo red-handed,” he added.
Nyirakabanza, a resident of Musanze, disclosed that she is supplied by big dealers from Gisenyi, Rubavu District before she also distributes to other cannabis retailers in Kigali.
It is said that Nyirakabanza and other members of her family have been dealing in the “very severe drugs” for a while now. A court in Musanze District, last year, convicted Nyirakabanza’s daughter for the same crime after she was found with 300 pellets of cannabis.
CIP Rugigana hailed the community policing spirit of the informer, who facilitated the successful operation.
“Increased successful operations against major drug dealers are facilitated by credible information shared by members of the public. We remind drug dealers that the ultimate price for drug dealing is long term imprisonment if they don’t quit the criminal business of poisoning people, especially the young ones, who constitute the majority of victims,” said the spokesperson.
Cannabis is listed as a “very severe drug” in Rwanda, alongside cocaine, opium and heroin, under the Ministerial Order No. 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation.
Article 263 of the law determining offences and penalties in general specifies that anyone convicted for “severe narcotic drugs” faces a life imprisonment and a fine of between FRW 20, 000,000 and FRW 30, 000,000.
Kaffé sports café at the Kigali Arena will not only cater to visitors to the Kigali Arena but also the entire Kigali community.
This new development comes following a seven-year management agreement that was signed between QA Venue Solutions and the Government of Rwanda to manage the Kigali Arena.
Born in Burundi, Chef Coco Reinarhz, worked as a chef in Belgium, DR Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, and South Africa. He currently owns a top-rated fine dining restaurant called Épicure by Chef Coco in Sandton, Johannesburg.
Inspired by cities in Africa, different styles of dining and diverse palates Épicure restaurant boasts 160 seats including terraced tables and a 40-seater private dining. Épic Bar and Cure Deli compliment the culinary chic.
Following the signing of the agreement between Kigali Arena management and the restaurateur, Chef Coco Reinarhz said:
“We will be able to cater for all kinds of guests, from fusing some of the best African and global cuisines to offering tasty fast foods. My goal is to work with local talents and partners to provide holistic dining experiences. We want people to come with their families and friends and enjoy the overall experience.”
In addition to the sports café, Chef Coco Reinarhz will partner with other food and beverage vendors at the Arena to provide world-class hospitality at the facility.
“Our goal is to have as many people coming here to receive the best quality services. This will keep the Arena vibrant,” he noted.
On his part QA Venue Solutions Director, Kyle Schofield, said:
“This agreement between the Kigali Arena and Chef Coco Reinarhz, is a fulfilment of the promise that we made as QA Venue Solutions to bring world-class amenities to the community that the Arena serves.
As an iconic African Arena, we believe that Kigali Arena deserves facilities that showcase it in the best possible light and we are confident that the partnership with Chef Coco Reinarhz will be a testament to our vision for the Arena.
We want to further invite local, regional and international businesses to partner with us to find the right opportunities to further their business growth through the Kigali Arena.”
QA Venue Solutions Rwanda has partnered with local companies and continues to encourage businesses in Rwanda to engage with the management team regarding opportunities in the venue.
Who is Chef Coco Reinarhz
Coming from two generations of accredited chefs, Coco Reinarhz attended the École Hotelière de Namur in Belgium and Institut Supérieur de Gestion Hotelière in Namur. He then worked in Belgium, Holland, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast and South Africa. He is the owner of Sel Afrique Pty Ltd.
Chef Coco Reinarhz philosophy is that of a modern world culinary citizen who is also an African by birth and choice. He combines classical French training and skill with the panorama of spectacularly expressive but previously overlooked African food in a modern, sophisticated, and utterly delicious manner.
He earned recognition as one of the top restaurateurs in the world. His restaurant ‘Sel et Poivre’ was selected as the American Express Fine Dining restaurant and he also earned the Platinum Award Wine List from Diner’s Club in 2008. He then earned Diners Club Diamond Award for Sel et Poivre Restaurant in 2013.
A member of the elite Chaîne des Rôtisseurs and Disciple de l’Ordre d’Auguste Escoffier, Chef Coco Reinarhz has also co-authored an award-winning cookbook titled ‘To the Banqueting House, African Cuisine and Epic Journey’.
He has shared his passion on SABC1, SABC3, E-tv, CNN, TV5 and BBC Food. He has also been a celebrity chef on hit show ‘Master Chef-South Africa’ and was the main judge for the LB Cook-Off Show on SABC3.
About QA Venue Solutions
QA Venue Solutions was established by an experienced, dynamic group of people whose philosophy is based on developing a new model of venue solutions across the African continent and beyond.
The company comprises a team of proudly African individuals who together possess decades of experience in the events, entertainment, and hospitality industry, in addition to venue management, design and operations.
QA Venue Solutions is proud to have been at the forefront of major sports events in Africa. QA Venue Solutions Director, Kyle Schofield worked with NBA (National Basketball Association) and NBA Africa as Head of Event Operations for the continent, leading the 2017 and 2018 NBA Africa Game Operations.
As the Venue Management for Sun Arena|Time Square – Menlyn-Pretoria – Sun International, a 8,500 -10,500-Seater multi-purpose Arena in Pretoria, QA Venue Solutions managed the calendar, contracts, operations, technical, safety and security aspects of all shows being hosted at the venue.
In 2018 QA Venue Solutions was directly involved in the venue operations for the 2018 NBA Africa Game at the Sun Arena. QA Venue Solution consulted for Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA) to ensure the smooth running of the FNB, Orlando, Dobsonville and Rand Stadiums and as experts in large event production, QA Venue Solutions provided technical direction for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, 2010 FIFA Football World Cup as well as the 2014 African Cup of Nations Cup.
Under QA Entertainment Technology Consultants (Pty) Ltd, QA Venue Solutions has been, and is still involved in, consulting on venue concepts, commercialization, feasibility, operations, and technical requirements for various venues throughout Africa and internationally.
Becoming the fourth Ombudsman in the country, Nirere’s previous duties include being at the helm of the National Human Rights Commission for two four-year terms that completed in May this year.
She also worked in the Parliament in both chambers; as Deputy Secretary-General of the Senate in Charge of Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs, and as a Senior Legal Advisor to the Parliament (Transitional National Assembly) between 2000 and 2003.
The Office of the Ombudsman acts as a link between the citizen, public and private institutions in preventing and fighting injustice, corruption and other related offenses.
The new NIRDA Director-General, Birame, was a senior lecturer at the University of Rwanda (UR) in the College of Science and Technology, School of Science Department of Chemistry.
The post fell vacant in December last year when the former Director-General, Kampeta Pitchette Sayinzoga was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD).
The cabinet also appointed six commissioners of Rwanda Revenue Authority(RRA) including; Felicien Mwumvaneza in Customs Service, Rosine Uwamariya in Internal Audit and Integrity, Felix Majyambere in Legal Services and Board Affairs, Innocent Murasi in Strategy and Risk Analysis, Jean Pierre Hitimana in Finance and Louise Kalisa Ingabire, Commissioner for Technology and Digital Transformation.
At Rwanda Heritage Academy which was specified as Inteko y’Umuco, a new institution which apparently brings on board the academy of language and culture and the national museums, Amb. Robert Masozera, was appointed Director General.
He was actually the director general of Institute of National Museums of Rwanda.
Dr. Jean Claude Uwizeyimana, a linguist and lecturer at University of Rwanda was appointed Deputy Director General at the Rwanda Heritage Academy.
Meanwhile, Solange Tetero and Aimable Twahirwa who is well-known in the local music industry have been appointed Director Generals of Youth Empowerment, and Culture Promotion in the Ministry of Youth and Culture respectively.
The cabinet meeting made a step further towards nuclear energy with the approval of a presidential order relating to accession of Rwanda to the convention on early notification of nuclear accident adopted in Vienna on September 26th, 1986.
They also approved the presidential order ratifying the amendment to the convention on physical protection of nuclear material adopted in Vienna on July 8th, 1997.
The cabinet did not make any change on the measures to prevent COVID-19, but, at a time a new wave of infection is looming, they reminded the general public not to loosen.
The man who died on Wednesday is an 88-year-old resident of Rwamagana District. It was the fifth Coronavirus death in just three days in the area.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Health, on November 11, 2020, 50 new cases came from 2860 sample tests taken that day, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 5312 while seven people have recovered bringing the number of recoveries to 4974.
Of the new cases the prison registered 27 new cases while tests in high risk zones resulted in 12 new cases in Rubavu district, 6 in Kirehe and 5 in Rwamagana.
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 required to continue to comply with government regulations, especially with frequent washing of hands and water and soap, wearing masks when leaving home or in public.
The suspects; Elias Shumbusho, 28, and Jean Damascene Sebahire, 23, were arrested as they crossed into Rwanda from Burundi through a porous border in Nyabikenke cell, Nyanza Sector.
The Police spokesperson for the Southern region, Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire said that the duo was arrested by the Revenue Protection Unit (RPU).
RPU is a Rwanda National Police (RNP) branch attached to Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) to fight smuggling and fraud.
“Revenue Protection Unit had prior information that Sebahire and Shumbusho are notorious smugglers in Gisagara and would on that very day smuggle other goods into Rwanda from Burundi.
During the operation, two other people that had been hired by Sebahire and Shumbusho to carry their goods managed to escape but the two prime suspects (Sebahire and Shumbusho), who are the suspected rightful owners of the smuggled goods, were arrested in the process,” SP Kanamugire said.
Sebahire and Shumbusho admitted that they work with a group of Burundians, and the latter delivers the goods at an agreed spot on the borderline, where they meet to collect.
SP Kanamugire thanked the residents, who reported the acts of smuggling and tax evasion.
“These people conduct their illegal and illicit businesses at night, which is a risk to their lives as they can be killed by evil-minded people, who also use the cover of the night to cause insecurity. But we are also in the period of COVID-19 pandemic, which is claiming lives of people, and such unnecessary movements and illegal cross-border can be the source of the virus,” SP Kanamugire said.
He warned that smuggling, evading taxes and crossing the border using ungazetted routes are all punishable by law.
{{Tax fraud}}
According to RRA, “a taxpayer, who commits fraud, is subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax. With exception to that penalty, the Tax Administration refers the case to the Prosecution service if the taxpayer voluntarily evaded such tax, like through the use of false accounts, falsified documents or any other act punishable by law. In case of conviction, the taxpayer can be imprisoned for a period between six (6) months and two (2) years.”
Under the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods under article 199, are auctioned.
In case a vehicle was used in fraud and smuggling, it is also auctioned and the driver slapped a fine of US$5000.
News of the tragic death of 17-year-old Iradukunda came to light on November 2, 2020, when residents found her naked body in a bean field with ropes around her neck, legs and arms.
The teenager was killed after leaving the wedding of a classmate’s friend who had invited her, who is now in police custody.
The arrest of the suspect in the murder of Iradukunda has been confirmed by the RIB Spokesperson, Dr. Murangira Thierry, who told IGIHE that the culprit was arrested on November 09, 2020, after initiating an investigation into the death of the deceased.
“As investigations unfolded, evidence pointed to a man working at Mpore Clinic in Musanze who has thus been arrested. He was arrested on the ninth of this month, charged with two counts, including child molestation and murder. He is suspected of raping and killing Emerance.”
After the body of the late Iradukunda was recovered, she was taken to Ruhengeri General Hospital for autopsy and later given to the family for burial.
Two days after her funeral, Rwanda Investigation Bureau and Rwanda National Police ordered for exhuming the body to allow more examination in gathering more evidence.
Dr. Murangira explained that it exhuming the body of the deceased was consented by the family.
“Before the body could be exhumed to find other evidence we got nod of her family. We need to do further investigations,” he said adding that within a few days, the case file will be submitted to Prosecution.
The suspect in the rape and murder of Iradukunda is currently being held at the Muhoza Police Station for further investigation.
The minerals had been smuggled into Rwanda from the neighboring DR. Congo.
The driver of the taxi Toyota Carina RAB 669T identified as Damascene Jambo, 45, and one Angelique Umulisa, 35, the alleged owner of the minerals, were also arrested in the process.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson of the Western region, said that the taxi was intercepted at about 11 pm as the suspected smugglers were en route to Rubavu town.
“Earlier that evening, security organs in Rubavu District had received information from residents about consignments of minerals that had been sneaked into Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through a porous border, and kept in a house located in Kanembwe Village of Busigari Cell in Cyanzarwe Sector,” CIP Karekezi said.
He added: “The house was put under surveillance until the suspected rightful owner—Angelique Umulisa—arrived with a taxi she had hired, and loaded the minerals which were concealed in five sacks, into the vehicle. Umulisa was arrested alongside her driver, shortly after taking off as they headed to Gisenyi town. The taxi, minerals and suspects were handed over to Gisenyi RIB station, for further management.”
Following their arrest, Umulisa, who is said to have been engaged in this unlawful mineral business for a while now, stated that she had 150kgs of traumaline.
However, after measuring, it came to light that the five sacks weighed 250kgs.
CIP Karekezi thanked the residents, who provided credible information which facilitated the successful operation.
“There are increased successful operations against smugglers and drug traffickers largely because of the ownership and responsiveness of the people, who provide information,” said the spokesperson.
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 one million Rwandan francs (FRW 1,000,000) and not more than five million Rwandan francs (FRW 5,000,000) 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.
Fourteen of the 20 new cases emerged in the Eastern Province district of
Rwamagana, which have not been among the hotspot districts since the first case of COVID-19 was detected in the country in March this year.
The two deaths were also recorded in the same district, with the Ministry of Health revealing that the two were 45-year old males, passing on condolences to their families.
The Eastern Province districts of Kirehe, Nyagatare, Ngoma and now Rwamagana have registered several cases over the last months, mainly due exposure to cross-border infections, mainly linked to trucks or movement of goods.
The City of Kigali however continues to register few numbers, with just one among the new cases, Huye district in Southern Province has 3 while Kayonza and Kirehe districts have one each.
The total cases so far detected in Rwanda are 5,242, of whom 4,967 or 95 percent have recovered, while 237 remain active cases. A total of 571, 902 tests have been conducted, with 1,293 new tests conducted over the last 24 hours.
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 required to continue to comply with government regulations, especially with frequent washing of hands and water and soap, wearing masks when leaving home or in public.
The operations are aimed at implementing national directives meant to curb further spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that about 100 violators were caught in Landmark Suites located in Kagugu cell, Kinyinya Sector of Gasabo District on Sunday at about 1am, drinking.
“At about 1am on Sunday, Police received information about a large group of young people, who were gathered at Landmark Suites drinking.
Police officers deployed managed to arrest 100 people, most of them drunk, and took them to ULK ground in Gisozi. Many other violators, who were there also drinking managed to escape during the operation,” CP Kabera said.
The hospitality establishment had the previous day on Saturday hosted a wedding party. It is said that some of the invitees stayed back drinking, after the party ended.
“It was a big gathering at the time when everyone was supposed to be home. It is so unfortunate that after about nine months of awareness on the pandemic and prevention directives, we can still witness such serious violations,” CP Kabera emphasised.
Local authorities have since closed the hospitality establishment.
Meanwhile, 73 other violators were found drinking at a bar located in Kimironko Sector also in Gasabo District, and taken to Amahoro stadium
Other 58 were caught in Nyamirambo, Nyarugenge District including 10, who were found holding a birthday party in a home that had also been turned into a bar. They were taken to Kigali stadium.
The stadiums and other designated sites are used to control movements during prohibited movements hours (10pm to 4am) but also to educate those caught in varied violations on the pandemic, government directives as well as safety guidelines.
All the implicated hospitality facilities were closed in addition to fines applied to owners and all those caught in the violations.
CP Kabera warned owners and employees of hospitality establishments as well as the general public against breaching prevention directives and guidelines, putting other people at the risk of contracting COVID-19.
“Such inappropriate human behaviors can be the source of further spread of COVID-19 with the risk of taking Rwanda back to bad days of the pandemic including the lockdown. No one wants that, which means it is the responsibility of everyone to report such violations happening in your neighborhoods or whenever you witness such,” CP Kabera said.
As the government continues to ease and open some of the services, CP Kabera warned that this should not be perceived as an opportunity to operate beyond set safety guidelines but rather a moment to operate with “maximum compliance.”
“COVID-19 is still amongst us and it is spread by the people. We still see new infections and sadly, some people have succumbed to the virus. So, whatever you do and wherever you are running your errands, remember that you can be the source or someone next to you can infect you.
Avoid unnecessary movements, go home early, wear a facemask, wash or sanitize your hands regularly, observe physical distancing, avoid unnecessary or prohibited gatherings and report violators. Fighting COVID-19 is the responsibility of everyone through maximum compliance and reporting violations.”
