The cataclysms include floods, thunderstorms, and hailstorms that, as well, destroyed farmlands and infrastructures.
In total, 3117 hectares of crops have been affected by the disaster between January and April this year, with 124 roads and 64 bridges collapsing, disrupting the daily development activities of the people. Over 3,082 homes were damaged, and thousands of families were displaced.
Minema reports that across the country, 3227 domestic animals including 60 cows have been killed in the disasters, 36 schools were destroyed, a health center, 12 churches, 10 administrative buildings, 13 water infrastructures, and a market.
In addition, 61 power infrastructures were damaged, causing disruptions in electricity supply in some parts of the country. The total flood damage will cost the country about $ 13 million. Every year Rwanda loses at least $ 43 million, due to floods and droughts.
The National Meteorological Agency, Meteo Rwanda, said that in the second half of this month, between 11 and 20 May heavy rainfall is expected.
Beauty salons and barbershops are among the businesses with a green light.
Needless to say, while getting a fresh haircut, getting your hair braided and other services, it should be done with utmost safety precautions.
Here are some COVID-19 risks and safety tips for Beauty Salons and Barbershops:
Use pre-booking. Walk-in appointments should be discouraged, ask customers to call-ahead or use online booking if you use one.
Symptom checking. If possible, check temperatures of staff and/or customers before they enter.
Social distancing rules still apply, except during services. Salons and barbershops should still maintain social distancing – keeping individuals one meter apart.
Customers and stylists be not less than one meter apart while services are performed.
Haircutting stations should be spaced, at least one meter.
Kick up your cleaning efforts. With COVID-19, step up your cleaning efforts. Sterilize tools and ensure stations are wiped down in between each client.
Wear face-masks. Both customers and employees should wear face-masks.
Practice safe hand washing and hand sanitizing. Ask clients to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer upon entering the salon. Employees should wash their hands in between all clients.
Let’s be safe by practicing safety practices. Individual responsibility and following all recommended healthy practices is key to beating the pandemic.
Mathieu Ndayisaba, 21, and Ildephonse, 30, were arrested in Gasarabwayi Cell after the victims reported the fraud, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said.
CIP Twizeyimana explained that the victims were tricked to believe that the suspects are collecting money to help those who were affected by disasters in the area.
“The victims are from different associations. Every member contributed between Rwf25, 000 and Rwf28, 000. Some of the associations’ members became suspicious and asked their local leaders the main cause for contributions,” Twizeyimana said.
He added: “After the local leaders realized that they are conning people, they immediately reported to Police. Law enforcement organs worked together to trace and arrest the two suspects to face justice. The suspects are also members of the associations they fleeced.”
“Besides the money they collected lying it is meant for helping vulnerable people, they also conned more than 50 others alleging that they are preparing development projects for them.”
CIP Twizeyimana advised the general public to be vigilant when it comes to pay their money.
He also warned people to refrain from “unlawful shortcuts to prosperity.”
Clause One of article 174 of the law determining offences and penalties in general in Rwanda, defines fraud as deception, obtaining another person’s property, whole or part of his/her finance by use of false names or qualifications, or offering positive promises or threats of future misfortunes.
Clause Two of the same article provides a term of imprisonment of between two and three years, and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million but not more than Rwf5 million, upon conviction.
RRA Commissioner General Bizimana Ruganintwali Pascal, who was presented with the grant, thanked the East Africa Business Council, saying that the advocacy work for the Office of Revenue and Customs emphasizes humanity.
“Customs employees welcome people of different kinds[…] will allow them to work safely knowing that they are protected from COVID-19, so they can provide better service,” he said.
EABC spokesperson Karera Denis said that in collaboration with the private sector, they found that the business acceleration program should go hand in hand with the prevention of COVID-19; recipients and service providers must be protected at all times.
The EABC expects to continue such activities to support the various sectors of the business community, which will be in line with the existing capabilities.
According to figures released by the National Agricultural Export Development Board, NAEB, between January and March 2020, tea exported was 9,317,436 kilograms valued at $ 27,691,861.
Statistics for 2019 show that in the first five months of this fiscal year, which began in July 2019, profits from tea farming had risen 8% to $ 36.08 million.
From July to November 2019, Rwanda’s tea production increased by 12%, and exports increased by 4%, compared to the same period in 2018.
Between July and November 2019, 12,017 tons of tea were produced, more than 10,769 tons produced during the same period in 2018.
At the same time, it was also shown that processed Rwandan tea increased by 4%, from 12,180 tons obtained in 2018 to 12,617 tons in 2019. At the same time, in 2019, exported tea earned $ 36,088,761, equivalent to an increase of 8%, up from $ 33,562,294 in the previous year.
NAEB figures show that the goal is by 2024, Rwandan tea will bring in $ 209 million.
The Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, recently announced that due to Coronavirus, exports will face a slump.
He said that on the market today, coffee prices are stable even though it is not the time for production, only tea prices are declining on the market.
By reducing the gap between exports and imports, Rwanda plans to continue to develop its products in Rwanda, urging Rwandans to buy them to replace imports.
Minister Dr. Ndagijimana said that Rwanda’s economic growth rate is currently expected to rise by 8% as expected, with figures currently being revised from 5.1% to 3.5%. “now we are close to 2% even if it didn’t end well”.
The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)2019 statistics report released on Tuesday, May 12, indicates that the City of Kigali ranks in second position after South Africa’s Cape Town.
City of Kigali attained the same position in for 2018 after climbing one position up on the list the year before.
ICCA’s rankings are based on the number of association meetings taking place regularly (annually, biannually), rotating between at least three different countries and with at least 50 participants.
Every year, the association ranks cities and countries following stringent guidelines.
“This is great news and proof that the MICE strategy is generating value for Rwanda,” commented Nelly Mukazayire, the Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Convention Bureau, the national MICE agency.
“We shall continue to identify and work better with our local associations and other stakeholders to help the destination do better in the ICCA rankings in the years to come.”
Tourism is the largest foreign exchange earner in Rwanda. With over 10,000 rooms in Kigali and 50,000 square meters of meeting space, MICE contributed 20% of all tourism revenues, amounting to US $56 million and 38,745 delegates, according to RCB; revenues for 2019 were projected to increase to US $88 million.
With the COVID-19 disease outbreak, 20 association meetings previously scheduled between March and April were halted, drawing national income back by US $10 million or 10 percent of estimated revenues in 2020.
Among the major meetings in Rwanda that were disrupted by the COVID-19 outbreak, include the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which was slated for June but was pushed forward due to the outbreak.
In global city rankings for 2019, Paris came top, followed by Lisbon and Berlin; all the top five cities are European.
In country rankings, USA holds the top spot, remaining the titleholder for the last two decades while the top 20 countries remain unchanged.
ICCA comprises of over 1,100 member companies and organizations in almost 100 countries and territories worldwide.
Niringiyimana, who was arrested Monday, is among the prime suspects in the recent separate cases of theft in Huye and Nyanza districts.
In one theft case, Niringiyimana together with his accomplices still at large, allegedly stole two generators in Huye, Rwaniro Sector in Mwendo Cell before stealing Rwf50, 000 from an elderly woman in Nyanza.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Southern region Police spokesperson, said that Niringiyimana was arrested due to information provided by those who witnessed the theft.
“They stole the generators and money in the same night. Fortunate enough, a neighbour of one of the victims, managed to get their identities and shared the information with the Police,” CIP Twajamahoro said.
He added: “Niringiyimana has been handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau at Rusatira and law enforcement are still searching for his accomplices.”
CIP Twajamahoro thanked residents, who called the Police after witnessing the crime and called for continued partnership and real time information sharing on such wrongdoers.
Theft, under article 166 of the law determining offences and penalties, is punishable with an imprisonment of between one and two years, and a fine ranging between Rwf1 million and Rwf2 million; community service of up to six months or one of these penalties.
Information on the death of the 29-year-old woman was first provided by a resident who was going to cultivate his garden and found a headless corpse in his garden.
Rulenge Sector Executive Secretary, Mapendo Gilbert, told IGIHE that the woman’s decapitated body was found in a bush but without ahead.
He said they were still searching for the culprits. Muhawenimana, who lived in a rented house and provided casual labour is survived by two children.
The body of the deceased was taken to Kibungo Hospital for autopsy.
The four leaders, being Their Excellencies President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda; President Uhuru Kenyatta of the Republic of Kenya; President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the Republic of Uganda and President Salvar Maryardit Kiir of the Republic of South Sudan, decided that partner states adopt a harmonized system for certification and sharing of COVID-19 test results.
The leaders took note of the current status of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the region and commended the ministers responsible for health, trade, transport, and EAC affairs for their initiative in adopting a regional approach to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a subsequent announcement, the four Presidents also took note of the regional response plan and directed the ministers responsible for health, trade, transport and EAC affairs “to ensure that it complements the partner states’ national COVID-19 response plans.”
The heads of state commended partner states, the World Health Organization (who) and African Centre for Disease Control (ACDC) for the efforts being made towards addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, and the steps taken to contain the disease and prevent further spread in the EAC region.
EAC heads also agreed to undertake bilateral engagements to address cross-border challenges and recognized findings of the EAC Secretariat mission that assessed the situation on clearance processes at the borders during the pandemic.
The Presidents directed partner states to prioritize regional value/supply chains to support local production of essential medical products and supplies including masks, sanitizers, soaps, coveralls, face shields, processed food and ventilators as part of efforts to combat COVID-19 in the region.
Also, in the post-COVID-19 period, countries are also directed to support agro-processing and value chains as an import substitution measure and establish special purpose financing schemes for small and medium enterprises, to cushion them from the negative effects of the pandemic.
The leaders agreed to establish special purpose financing schemes for small and medium enterprises, to cushion them from the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The statement from the meeting says “The Heads of State designated the ministers responsible for Health, Transport and East African Community affairs to be the focal persons for the regional COVID-19 response under the leadership of the Ministers of Health,”
The Heads of State directed the focal persons to immediately work on a regional mechanism for testing and certification of truck drivers prior to their departure at the point of origin and every two weeks, and report to the Heads of State.
They agreed to meet regularly to address the response efforts. And they expressed the need for flexibility in the application of the EAC rules and procedures when faced with a crisis such as the current pandemic.
The trial of Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) soldiers and civilians accused of raping three women after beating them up kicked off in Kigali with prosecution asking the military high court to send them on remand pending further investigations.
The case involves five non-commissioned soldiers, at rank of Private, identified as Pvt Patrick Ndayishimiye (the patrol leader), Pvt. Fidele Nishinwe, Pvt. François Gatete, Pvt. John Gahirwa and Pvt. Theoneste Twagirimana.
The case also involves two civilian accomplices namely Donat ‘Rajab’ Ntakaziraho and Mukamulisa Diane who have also commissioned community-based night patrols officials in Kangondo 1 cell where the alleged crimes happened on different dates in the month of March 2020.
During the 5-hour hearing of a 30-day remand hearing, six suspects were present in court and all denied charges leveled against them with consultation of their defense lawyer, Moses Sebudandi. One suspect, Diane Mukamulisa was missing on grounds of her maternal rights to take care of her newborn baby.
Military prosecution led by Captain JB Maniraguha presented evidence from the victim’s testimonies and investigation reports conducted by the military teams on several incidents in which the suspects are accused of the six counts.
Prosecution says that both Patrick Ndayishimiye (the patrol leader) and Fidele Nishinwe were directly involved in committing all six charges especially raping three women at different occasions, and being involved in physically assaulting suspects in a place where they were not assigned duty.
Prosecution alleges that Patrick Ndayishimiye was at the time of the crime, the group commander. Some of his colleagues testified against him on physically assaulting and harming Joseph Niyobuhungiro and Ngabonziza Shema who were found in the houses of the female victims.
“Patrick also has a criminal record of theft and was in 2018 released after serving a one year sentence. In his affidavit he methodically confesses and narrates how he raped one, Madeleine Uwamariya as evidenced by testimonies from his colleagues (Gahirwa John and Gatete François),” the prosecution said.
It is also said that his counterpart Nishimwe, also raped two women, starting with Chantal Uwamariya and Angelique Cyuzuzo on two separate occasions.
“We have testimonies of citizens who were able to identify the two suspects during an identification parade that was done soon after,” Prosecutor Maniriguha said.
On other suspects Donat ‘Rajab’ Ntakaziraho and Mukamulisa, Pvt. Twagirimana Theoneste, the Prosecutor Captain Maniriguha said that they were present during the crimes and concealed information about what had transpired.
The prosecutor asked the court to remand the suspects for 30 days pending further investigation, though, he said, they already have enough evidence that pins the suspects.
The accused Ndayishimiye and Nishimwe defended themselves saying that they have never been assigned to the Kangondo zone and on the said dates in which the citizens accuse them of committing the crimes, they were in the Kami Barracks on other duties.
“In the month of March I didn’t get assigned in Kangondo but I used to pass by the area doing surveillance work. I am surprised prosecution says it was me who committed the crimes yet the description of the uniforms and soldiers identified by residents do not match my description,” Patrick Ndayishimiye said.
He added that during the patrols he used to be assigned to the areas of Batsinda and Utexrwa where he worked with many other soldiers who are not in court.
In his defense, Nishimwe also said that he does not know the area and never stepped in Kangondo zone.
“ I only knew the name when I was arrested and paraded among suspects who were accused of committing these crimes. I am innocent,” Nishimwe said.
Their defense attorney, Sebudandi intervened saying that the prosecution accusations are not in line with the penal code and also that the fact of being present during a crime doesn’t make one an accomplice unless they assisted in one way or the other.
“For example the so-called terror group would be valid if there was intent or purpose and evidence that the accused had met and planned on their actions. We cannot call some of my clients as accomplices just because they were there,” Sebudandi said.
On the case of rape, he said he agrees with the investigation (testimonies) collected by the prosecution but there must be more evidence to prove this happened.
The lawyer dismissed the theft charges saying that there must be more evidence to show it really happened.
From that background, he asked the court to immediately release one suspect, Twagirimana Theoneste because “there is nothing leveled on him either in testimonies of victims or evidence of prosecution.”
This thinking was also backed by one of the suspects, Donat ‘Rajab’ Ntakaziraho who told court that Twagirimana actually was the only soldier who tried to stop his patrol commander (Ndayishimiye Patrick) from beating citizens but in vain.
“That tall soldier (Twagirimana ) is innocent. He asked Ndayishimiye why he was canning citizens with no reason but this didn’t make any difference,” Ntakaziraho said.
After listening to all sides and requests of both prosecution and defense team, Military Judge Major Gerald Muhigirwa assisted by three other judges ruled that the reading of the case outcomes will be pronounced on Wednesday, May, 13.
