Last week the government announced that there was an undergoing review of how college and university students were to be helped to return home.
The University of Rwanda immediately asked students to approach its nearest branches and register. UR reports that the registration of 1661 students indicates that they want to return home after a difficult life due to the postponement of the school year.
On May 11, 2020, students from the faculties of the University of Rwanda in Nyagatare, Rukara, Busogo, Rwamagana, Huye and Rusizi happily boarded vehicles to various destinations from where they will connect with their families.
Everyone was wearing a mask, and at 7 a.m. they were ready to start the journeys after undergoing coronavirus tests and being reminded of measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Students have expressed their gratitude, to the Government of Rwanda for keeping in mind that wherever they were, they should go to their families. 23 Ritco buses have been hired to transport the students home.
The victim was Bapfakurera Théoneste, a Pastor at the Hope of Jesus Church whose church building had previously been closed for lack of requirements.
Muyumbu Sector Executive Secretary, Bahati Bonny, told IGIHE that security personnel and local authorities were alerted of the attack where culprits carried both real and toy guns. They left one of the toy guns at the scene of crime.
He said that the criminals’ aim was to take the life of Bapfakurera since they did not take with them any valuable from the victims. “It was just a plot to kill,” he said.
Bapfakurera’s body was taken to Kacyiru Hospital for examination as the hunt for the criminals gets underway.
This brought the tally of COVID-19 recovery cases in the country to 150, and 135 active cases.
The latest update by the Ministry of Health was from 380 sample tests, the lowest sample since last week.
The country has not registered any death. Rwanda recently eased the COVID-19 lockdown allowing most businesses to resume operations for 15 days.
However, everyone has been urged to put on facemasks in public and in multi-family compounds, to continue washing hands regularly, and to practice physical distancing among other practices.
Citizens are also reminded to always call 114- the toll-free line of Rwanda Biomedical Center, whenever they experience symptoms of the pandemic such as fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath.
The focus of the training was on teaching Drivers how to stay safe, maintain a safe distance while delivering, and how to practice proper hygiene at all times.
Therefore, we have implemented a cashless, no-contact delivery process to protect the health and safety of our Customers, Drivers, and Merchants. All our drivers wear masks and use sanitizers before handing over goods. We currently have a fleet of 50+ Motos for Delivery in Kigali, all of whom are equipped with ICFMs (Intelligent Connected Fare Meters).
Getting delivery boxes has been a big challenge but we hope that, in the coming months, our fleet will expand to 1000 Motos.
After completing our roll-out in Kigali, we plan to roll out the service to other cities in Rwanda. YEGO’s aim is to address a much larger demographic and to enable them to enjoy the online shopping experience.
We have already partnered with over 60 merchants including Restaurants, Groceries, Supermarkets and Pharmacies. We intend to support all SMEs and independent contractors offering different good and services. Although our mobile App and website are under development, financial inclusivity has always been a core value at YEGO.
Today, with a simple feature phone you can place and pay for your order; one doesn’t even need to be connected to the internet!
{{HOW IT WORKS:}}
Simply call a merchant, place your order and pay, and say “I want Yego to deliver my order”. The Merchant provides YEGO with your phone number. Our Agent calls you, confirms your delivery location, and your order is delivered in 60 minutes or less! “We have been testing our service for over a month and have seen that most orders are delivered within 35 minutes!
Moreover, since our drivers deliver only one order at a time (orders are not clubbed), this means your food order arrives warm and fresh. Our Drivers benefit as they get more rides and a chance to earn a fair living.”
{{3 Simple Steps for Merchants: }}
1. A Customer calls the Merchant, places an order, and pays via Mobile Money.
2. The Merchant sends the customer’s phone number to Yego’s WhatsApp.
3. A Yego Driver picks the order and delivers it to the Customer. Metered Charges: The Delivery charges are calculated automatically based on the distance from the Merchant to the Customer. Cashless Payments: Customers can pay with Airtel Money, MTN Mobile Money, MTN Tap & Pay, or Yegomoto Ride-Tap-Pay NFC tags.
Since we insist on cashless payments and support a range of methods, you don’t have to worry about having exact change or risk contracting COVID-19 by handling cash. We wholeheartedly support Rwanda’s Vision to become a cashless economy.
While Rwanda has done a stellar job of limiting the spread of COVID-19, it seems that social distancing will be the “new normal”. We will change the way we eat, access goods & services, and even socialize.
YEGO aims to create a delivery ecosystem that benefits the community by safely delivering meals, groceries, medicines, etc., by our trained drivers.
Supporting the delivery ecosystem benefits local vendors and customers while also helping our Moto Drivers feed their families.
YEGO reiterates its commitment to the national economic strategy on augmenting cashless transactions, enhancing safety and security, driving financial inclusion, creating employment, and facilitating digital literacy to benefit all Rwandans.
The new government measures to contain and prevent the spread of Coronavirus, among others, prohibit movement across provinces and City of Kigali.
Barely a week after two vehicles were intercepted in Kanyinya, Nyarugenge District transporting people, who were sneaking out of Kigali to the Northern Province, another driver was arrested in the night of May 9, smuggling people in and out of Kigali.
Adrien Nshimiyimana, a special-hire driver, was intercepted in Shyorongi Sector, Rulindo District transporting three people to Kigali.
His taxi RAC 287G, was also impounded.
Following his arrest, Nshimiyimana, who admitted to the unlawful acts, narrated how they smuggle people from one region to another.
“I transported two people from Kigali to Shyorongi. In Shyorongi, I exchanged passengers with another taxi-driver, who had transported three people coming to Kigali from the Northern Province,” said Nshimiyimana
He was arrested on his way back, with the three passengers whom they were smuggling to Kigali.
RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera, observed that some drivers of special-hire vehicles have ventured in this unlawful transportation of people across City of Kigali and Provinces, and warned of “repercussions to anyone who will be caught in such risky violations.”
“Besides exchanging passengers, special-hire drivers also use remote roads to smuggle people from one region to another.
We have been able to know these tricks and means used by drivers to violate the government directives through information we receive from the public. This is the same way we got to know of Nshimiyimana’s actions before he was intercepted by traffic Police officers on his way back with two passengers on board,” said CP Kabera.
“These are unnecessary movements can spread Coronavirus from one region to another. We call for personal responsibility to report such people, who come to their communities from other regions, who can be the source of the pandemic in their area,” he emphasized.
Nshimiyimana and the two passengers are currently detained at Shyorongi Police station.
“The focus is not to penalize people but for each and every one to take safety first, abide by every bit of government directives and recommended healthy practices to prevent being infected with the virus or infecting others.”
Among other recommended safety practices against the pandemic include social distancing, wearing face masks, washing hands regularly and avoiding unnecessary movements
The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) reports that on Friday 8 May 2020, in Rweru sector of Bugesera district in the Eastern Province,
“A group of fishermen from Burundi illegally crossed into the Rwandan waters in Lake Rweru. While Rwanda Defence Force was ordering the fishermen to return back to their country, Burundian soldiers intervened from their side and started shooting at RDF; which retaliated.”
The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) suffered no casualties during the gunfire exchange and the attackers returned back to Burundi, said the report.
Lake Rweru’s northern shore forms part of Rwanda’s border with Burundi.
About 300 Congolese had convened at the One-Stop Border Post between Rwanda and DRC, in Rubavu district on Saturday, on their way home but were refused entrance by the Congolese immigration authorities. Similar scenes took place in Rusizi district as some Congolese citizens were returning to the city of Bukavu.
The stranded citizens said that the arrangement for them to be repatriated back home had been made earlier and supported by Rwandan authorities through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation while the DRC Embassy in Rwanda had given them a letter authorizing them to return home.
Even after getting cleared by Rwanda’s immigration, they were denied entry by Congolese border officials; later on, Sunday morning, half of those who had been sitting in at the border were granted entry but more than 150 are still stranded.
One of the affected people, who identified himself as Jean Claude Beya said that they were surprised by the decision to deny them a right to return home, weeks after requesting to be allowed to go back to their country following the measures put in place by the Rwandan government to fight the New Coronavirus outbreak.
“We have been planning our return for days, in partnership with the embassy in Kigali. We made our case known that since work came to a stop due to the lockdown; life had become difficult for us with no income,”
The border cities of Rubavu on the Rwandan side and Goma on the Congolese side, as well as Rusizi in South Western Rwanda and Bukavu in Eastern DRC, share a lot in common with people on both sides co-existing, some working in one city and sleeping in the other.
However, the outbreak of New Coronavirus has affected life in the border towns, with Rwanda opting to close all borders and imposing a lockdown while DRC too limited movements to contain the spread of the virus.
The affected categories of people include Congolese who lived and worked in Kigali as well as those who live or worked in the border towns.
Rwandan authorities and immigration had cleared the people to return to DRC but sources say the Governor of North Kivu ordered the blockade of returning citizens.
“While other countries are repatriating their citizens, we are being denied our right to return home,” Mundapeke a Congolese national said, adding that other people who were caught on the other side of the border while in Rwanda lamented about their businesses in Goma being affected.
Rwanda and DRC currently maintain stable and friendly relations since President Felix Tshisekedi’s ascent to power, with both countries vowing to work together to enhance trade and bilateral ties.
The suspects were arrested in Rugerero Sector in possession of 1000 pellets of cannabis.
They are currently being held at Rugerero Police Station pending further investigations by Rwanda Investigation Bureau.
The Western Region Police Spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Karekezi, who confirmed the arrest, identified the suspects as Eustache Kayinamura, 41, Jean Pierre Nkurunziza, 26 and Félicien Maniraguha, 28, who were caught red-handed.
“The three were arrested following credible information that they were trafficking and distributing cannabis in Rubavu,” CIP Karekezi said.
“We thank those who continue to give no room for drug traffickers, distributors and consumers. These criminal acts fuel other crimes like theft, rape, assault and even murder without forgetting poisoning people. We should all stand up, break silence on dealers who poison our societies.”
Fighting drugs abuse is one of the Rwanda National Police priorities and a number of initiatives have been laid to combat the vice through community policing where majority dealers and users have since been arrested.
Article 263 of the new penal code partly states that any person who, unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances commits an offence, with a sentence ranging from seven years to life in prison, upon conviction, and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.
The money was recovered early Saturday from the suspected thief identified as Hafashimana alias Jado, who was intercepted in Bugeshi Sector.
Hafashimana stole the money from one Dirigeant Hitayezu after breaking into his car and stole the bag, which contained the money and other personal belongings.
Hafashimana hails from Jenda village, Nyirakigugu Cell in Jenda Sector of Nyabihu District, where the money was stolen.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that at about 7 AM on Saturday, Police in Rubavu received information that there was a man, who had a big sum of money in the bag, and suspected him to have stolen it.
“Police officers were dispatched, they located and arrested the suspect–Hafashimana– at about 7:30 AM with the bag containing the money and other items,” CIP Karekezi said.
In the bag was also a smartphone, banking tools including cheques of different banks as well as a passport in the names of Dirigent Hitayezu.
“Hafashimana was responsive during interrogation; he said that he stole the money from a vehicle where it was parked as the owner (Dirigeant Hitayezu) was supplying goods to traders in Jenda. He confirmed that the money indeed belong to the same person whose particulars were found in the same bag.”
The victim, CIP Karekezi said, was located and informed of the recovery of his money and other items.
“Hitayezu was called and the money alongside other personal belongings were later that day handed back to him. The suspect was handed over to RIB at Bugeshi station,” said the spokesperson.
The victim, Hitayezu thanked the Police and residents, who facilitated the recovery of his money and other items.
He said that the money was less Rwf100, 000, which the suspect had already spent buying alcoholic drinks for friends, and other items.
“I didn’t know the person, who stole my money, I was so happy when I received a phone call from Police in Rubavu telling me that they have recovered my money and other important items like passport, banking tools, and phone,” said Hitayezu.
Theft, under article 166 of the penal code, attracts an imprisonment of between one and two years and a fine of Rwf1 million to Rwf2 million, a community service of not more than six months or one of the two penalties.
The cabinet meeting resolutions of April 30 issued, starting on May 4, new guidelinesto be followed.
The guidelines specify that acceptable movements whether by public, private transport or pedestrian resume only within provinces and in City of Kigali. Crossing one province to another is not acceptable. People must wear a face-mask in public at all times; they have to practice social distancing in markets, shops, restaurants, hotels, buses, and while walking; Motorcycles and bicycles are not permitted to carry passengers.
Hotels and restaurants will operate up to 7 pm and follow all health regulations. All movements after 8 PM are prohibited unless one has an emergency. The curfew will last up to 5 AM.
Bars and churches are closed. Meetings in public places and mass gatherings are prohibited. Sports facilities shall remain closed but individual sporting activities in open space are permitted.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, said that some people still engage in prohibited actions and urged them to desist from such “risky and dangerous behaviors.”
“There are individuals and peer groups that still violate these directives. People who go without their face masks or who violate the curfew; wearing face mask, washing your hands regularly, maintaining at least one-metre distance, avoiding unnecessary movements, conducting essential movement only within your region; all these were adopted to ensure your safety. Don’t be forced to ensure own safety; your safety should be your personal responsibility… it starts with you,” CP Kabera said.
So far, more than 1400 people were caught violating the curfew and 1500 others for not wearing their face-mask.
CP Kabera noted that the force is working with all relevant institutions to ensure that these measures are implemented and respected.
“We urge the public to comply with these safety instructions, which are meant to protect and save lives from this pandemic. Remember, protecting yourself and others is your responsibility,” CP Kabera said.
The spokesperson emphasized that in order to keep yourself and others safe, those who are not going to work or for essential services should remain at home, and to report those who travel from other regions to their homes and putting their lives at risk.
CP Kabera added: “Rwanda National Police appreciates the public for its continued support and cooperation during this period, as we collectively fight against COVID-19. We urge the public to call us on 112 or 0788311155 (also on WhatsApp) and give us information on people who violate these directives.”
