The CEO of Mara Phones Rwanda Eddy Sebera explained that the donation is a gesture is meant to protect customers and employees as well.
“Mara Phones had suspended activities for two months following measures put in place to contain the spread of Coronavirus. We have donated 40,000 face masks to support Government’s efforts,” he said.
The face masks made in Hong Kong in China have been handed to Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) to be distributed to beneficiaries.
Funds to buy the face masks came from Mara Phones employees and board committee’s contributions.
Located at Plot No. 2166 Kigali Special Economic Zone, Ndera, Gasabo District, Kigali, Mara Phones Rwanda Factory, is first Africa’s high tech smartphone factory inaugurated last year in October.
The #INFORAFRICA Alliance aims to respond to the challenges faced by Africa in tackling the coronavirus pandemic. The campaign engages with hundreds of opinion leaders, celebrities and influencers to deliver preventive and lifesaving messages across the continent as well as supporting initiatives which fight the disease, create a positive impact on local communities and contribute to achieving resilience against the impact of the disease.
The #INFORAFRICA campaign already has the support of a variety of African influencers including African music legend Awilo Longomba, British-congolese comedian Eddie Kadi, British-Ivoirian superstar Afro B, journalist, activist and author Isha Sesay, Grammy award winning singer Mohombi, Nollywood superstar Destiny Etiko, Ghanaian actor John Dumelo, soccer players Tresor Lualua and Yannick Bolasie.
In addition to the global awareness campaign, #INFORAFRICA aligns with the efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO), African governments and their national health authorities to provide accurate information in order to stop the spread of the pandemic on the continent. Funds mobilised will be directed towards reputable agencies such as the United Nations Foundation Solidarity Response Fund and the Africa Union Partnership to Accelerate COVID-19 Testing (PACT). These funds will be used to support frontline efforts such as purchase ventilators, testing, personal protective equipment and hygiene kits (soaps, hydro-alcoholic gels, disinfectants).
Speaking on the launch of the campaign, Eddie Kadi, said: “As the virus spreads away from African capitals, #INFORAFRICA, this unique continent-wide campaign, the first of its kind, will help amplify crucial life-saving messages to stop the pandemic across Africa. In such unprecedented times, artists and influencers must do their part and come together as a community to deliver messages of hope and unity to the very people who supported them during the course of their journey”.
As a prominent media platform in Africa, StarTimes has put a lot of efforts into raising awareness on the outbreak. It will keep doing so by disseminating the #INFORAFRICA influencer messages so their voices can reach more people on the continent, beyond African capitals.
StarTimes Vice-President Luis Lu said: “Today is a special day for Africa, even more special this year as the world is going through an unprecedented crisis. As the coronavirus is still threatening the continent, StarTimes is honored to join the #INFORAFRICA Alliance to bring people together and help them keep safe.”
{{ABOUT THE #INFORAFRICA CAMPAIGN
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The #INFORAFRICA Alliance against the coronavirus aims to respond to the challenges faced by Africa in tackling the pandemic. The campaign will engage with hundreds of opinion leaders, celebrities and influencers to deliver preventive and lifesaving messages across the continent as well as supporting initiatives which fight the disease, create a positive impact on local communities and contribute to achieving resilience.
{{ABOUT STARTIMES}}
StarTimes is the leading digital TV operator in Africa, serving 13 million DVB subscribers and 20 million OTT users in 30+ countries. StarTimes owns a 600+ channels’ content platform combining African local channels (75%) and international channels (25%, including Chinese channels 1.5%). The company’s vision is “To ensure that every African family can access, afford, watch and share the beauty of digital TV”.
www.startimestv.com
Munderere was arrested in Rubavu Sector, Rukoko Cell due to information provided by residents.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Karekezi, the police spokesperson for the Western region said that they got information that the suspect was looking for a client, and organize an operation to arrest him.
“When we heard that Munderere was looking for a buyer, we posed as buyers and arrested him red-handed. Munderere didn’t disclose the source of the narcotics but named his boss, who is still at large,” CIP Karekezi said.
Local residents said that Munderere is part of the ring that traffics the narcotics into the country from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and distributes it to local suppliers in different parts of the country.
The spokesperson warned that the police are aware of all the tricks that drug dealers are using, adding that the ownership of the public continues to play a major part in dismantling rings.
“People, especially the youth are engaging themselves in this black business for money, we urge them to look for other beneficial and legal businesses instead of indulging in criminal activities.”
Article 263 of Rwanda penal code stipulates that any person who, unlawfully, produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances commits an offense, with a sentence upon conviction, ranging between 20 years and life in prison, and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.
Nkurunziza’s death was announced Tuesday, June 9, by government spokesperson Prosper Ntahorwamiye. He succumbed to a cardiac arrest at Karusi Fiftieth Anniversary Hospital in central Burundi, where he had been hospitalized since June 6.
In his Twit, President Kagame said that the government of Rwanda sends condolences to the Burundian people including the first family.
“On behalf of Gov’t and my own behalf, I send our condolences to the Gov’t and People of Burundi for the passing of President Nkurunziza. This also goes to the family of the President. God Bless!” – President Kagame tweeted.
In her official Broadcast as the head of UNMISS Police Component, Vuniwaqa expressed her heartfelt sympathies and grief with the bereaved family.
“It is with deep regret that I must inform you of the untimely passing of Mbabazi ENID, a member of Rwanda FPU-1 [Formed Police Unit-One] deployed in Malakal,” the Police Commissioner said in her official broadcast.
She explained that PC Mbabazi, who was a member of FPU-1 hybrid contingent of 240 Police officers in Malakal, became ill on May 19, 2020 and initially received medical treatment within UNMISS before being medically evacuated back home for further treatment.
Unfortunately, the 24-year old PC Mbabazi succumbed to COVID-19 pandemic on June 2, 2020 at the King Faisal Hospital.
In her broadcast, Vuniwaqa said: “I acknowledge with profound appreciation the contribution of Officer Mbabazi ENID towards the protection of civilians and building durable peace in South Sudan since her arrival in the Mission in December 2019.
On behalf of the UNPOL Senior Management and the entire UNPOL component, I extend my sincere sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Mbabazi ENID for the loss of their loved one. She will be missed. May her beautiful soul rest in peace.”
The Day marked on May 29, every year, was designated by the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 57/129, to pay tribute to all the women and men, who have served as military, police, or civilians in UN Peacekeeping operations.
The Day also serves to honor their courage, sacrifice, professionalism, dedication, and to pay tribute in the memory of those, who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.
The celebrations held at the UNAMID Mission’s Headquarters in Zalingei, was conducted in accordance with the World Health Organisations (WHO) guidelines to prevent the spread of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
With few people at the venue, others joined the celebrations virtually, including the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) to UNAMID, Mr. Jeremiah Nyamane Kingsley Mamabolo, who presided over the event.
Other officials that graced the Day include UNAMID Deputy Joint Special Representative, Anita Gbeho, Acting UNAMID Police Commissioner Sultan Temuri, Deputy Force Commander as well as other senior leaders from both Police and Military components.
Rwanda maintains Individual Police Officers (IPOs) in UNAMID, who act as trainers and mentors, among other peacekeeping duties
At 5 pm, Monday, the first group of 79 arrived at Kagitumba One Stop Border Post crossed and handed to Rwanda by Uganda Immigration authorities, followed by another 51. This handover ceremony was overseen by immigration officials from both countries. It was also witnessed by officers from Rwanda National Police and Rwanda Defence Force, among others.
Looking exhausted and weak, members of the group said they had been detained in Uganda for lengthy periods during which they were subjected to torture, mistreatment and violation of rights such as being denied consular visits.
Reports say some were separated from their children while others lost their valuables.
Though the Ugandan Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the released had been pardoned by President Yoweri Museveni, majority of the returning Rwandans said they had served and completed their sentences.
Innocent Hakizimana, one of the released Rwandans, said that he was jailed at the beginning of 2018 and sentenced to two years which he had completed upon his release.
They will be tested and quarantined for the compulsory 14 days in line with measures to prevent the spread of New Coronavirus.
The Rwanda Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dr. Vincent Biruta said that Rwanda emphasized key concerns to Uganda, mainly rotating around Rwandans who continue to be arrested, tortured and detained incommunicado in Uganda.
“As you might be aware, we have raised these issues with Uganda on different occasions, including the continued arrest and torture of Rwandans who are held in unknown detentions, sometimes releasing them after a long time.
“There are issues relating to continued aggressive media propaganda targeting the Government of Rwanda and the country’s leadership and many other issues which we have previously discussed in different meetings. The last summit gave a direction on how these issues can be addressed,” Dr. Biruta said.
Last week following the meeting of the 4th Ad Hoc Commission, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Vincent Biruta said that despite some progress made in the implementation of February 21 Heads of State summit resolutions, challenges remain in place despite Uganda committing to release 130 Rwandans.
“This is a good step, but there are other issues we raised which they need to work harder on to address, mainly the aggressive media campaign against Rwanda and the arrests which haven’t stopped, much as they are planning to release some people next week,”
He said that every week there is a Rwandan arrested and tortured in Uganda, pointing out that this must stop with immediate effect.
“For that to happen, we need to have political will. If there is no political will, then we will not get anywhere. We agreed that there is need for political will on both sides and if there is an issue that needs to be addressed, it is frankly discussed and resolved,” Dr. Biruta insisted.
He pointed out that Rwanda has appreciated actions such as deregistration of terrorist outfits such as Self-Worth Initiative which masquerade as NGOs while mobilizing and plotting against the government of Rwanda.
Dr. Biruta said that though the outfit was deregistered, it still operates Rwanda National Congress (RNC) cells in Uganda, something he said goes against the Government of Uganda previous commitment of disbanding the activities of the said criminal organization.
There are other 310 Rwandans, who Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa said committed capital offenses remain in detention. Rwanda said they should be formally charged and permitted consular visits as Rwanda is doing to Ugandan citizens jailed in Kigali.
The operation was conducted jointly by Ndera Police Station, Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) and local authorities.
The distillery located in Cyaruzinge cell produces illicit brew called Agasusurutso. The owner is still on the run.
Olivier Mwizerwa from RSB said the distiller was counterfeiting Agasusurutso, which is normally produced by a licensed dealer.
The counterfeiter, Mwizerwa said, was using ginger, sugar, spirit and water, among others, which are harmful for human consumption.
“The colour, alcoholic content and smell change when you mix these raw materials and have ill-effects on consumers. This is against the recommended standards,” Mwizerwa said.
“It has been established that when you consume such concocted products, you are likely to go blind especially because of the added spirit.
The packaging itself can be dangerous. They were packaging it in plastic bottles and the raw materials they use can not be mixed with plastic products because it can be the source of cancer,” he added.
RSB specifies that “only food grade processing aids recognized as safe for human consumption shall be used during the manufacture.”
Other standard requirements include labeling as a prerequisite; the name of the products, physical and postal address of manufacturer; net contents in milliliters or liters; ethyl alcohol content; date of manufacture and expiry date; storage instruction; statutory warnings; and list of ingredients in descending order.
Angelique Uwinkindi, the acting executive secretary for Ndera said the district had warned the producer against the illegal acts but he switched to operating in the night.
She added that there were reports of violence in families and communities in Ndera caused by abuse of these illicit drinks.
Jean de Dieu Twagirimukiza, a local resident collaborated Uwinkindi’s message saying that he lost control and battered her wife after consuming the illicit brew, which prompted his spouse to leave him.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie-Gorette Umutesi, the Police spokesperson for City of Kigali said the operations against illegal distilleries and dealers have been going on for a while and scores have also been arrested in Nyarugenge and Kicukiro in connection with the act.
“We are working with the local communities, RSB and local leaders to identify and arrest distillers and sellers of these illicit drinks,” said CIP Umutesi.
She added that Police and RSB first intercepted a consignment of the illicit drink in Nyarugenge market and they traced the source to the distiller in Ndera.
Anyone convicted as a “major dealer” in narcotic and psychotropic substances faces between seven years and life imprisonment.
All drinks with alcoholic content above 45 percent or with unknown alcoholic content is considered as a psychotropic substance.
