The PSF spokesperson, Ntagengerwa Théoneste, has told IGIHE that they are targeting families with heads that were depending on daily incomes and cannot meet their food needs under the present quarantine.
“We are fortunate that the government had started a program of helping in the delivery of the food. This is a time to share and show love to the needy,” he said, adding that on a daily basis, PSF will be delivering food items to designated warehouses in Kicukiro District, Kigali.
“People are giving with sincere passion. What people have brought so far is worth Rwf120 million and still counting. We are not collecting money. We as well ask those who have cash to buy dry food rations including rice, beans, and others,” he said.
On Saturday, March 25, 2020, the government launched a food distribution program to the needy. As of Wednesday 1st April, 82 people had tested positive for coronavirus in Rwanda.
The Executive Director of Nyarugenge District, Ngabonziza Emmy has told IGIHE that the decision was taken to reduce any possible risks that would arise from violation of observing social distance and keeping the one-meter space between the shoppers.
Nyabugogo bus park has already been occupied by food vendors as trucks ferry in produce from different parts of the country.
President Kagame thanked Rwandans and stakeholders in various sectors for their collaboration during the lockdown in observing preventive measures against coronavirus.
To further stem the spread of the virus, the cabinet has extended lockdown for two additional weeks until April 19th, 2020.
As previously announced by the ministry of health, only necessary services including health services, shopping and banking will remain operational while other businesses including bars, pubs as well as places of worship will remain closed.
Farming activities will remain operational during the lockdown while observing guidelines from the ministry of health.
Public and private schools, as well as higher education institutions, will remain closed and employees are required to work from home. All borders will remain closed and travel between cities and districts remains prohibited.
Taxi-moto drivers are not allowed to carry passengers but may offer delivery services. The government of Rwanda recommends the use of electronic services and online banking services to counter the spread of coronavirus.
The ministry of ICT and Innovation informed cabinet about measures which were implemented to keep the education system running including tje promotion of e-learning systems.
The ministry of justice informed cabinet on how Kwibuka 26 commemoration activities will be conducted.
The 27-year old victim was seen being violently beaten by unidentified individuals on allegations that he had stolen a cluster of plantain.
He unfortunately succumbed to injuries on March 29th, 2020 at Gisenyi Hospital where he was being treated.
Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera has confirmed that investigations are underway.
Police announced they have apprehended two suspects, Niyonzima Jean Baptiste and Bitwayiki Jean Bosco but their accomplices, Bipfakubaho François and Nshimiye are still on the run.
CP Kabera said that three suspects are on the run including the plantation owner where the victim was assaulted.
“Two accomplices in the assault escaped authorities but we are certain they will be apprehended and justice will be served.”
CP Kabera reminded Rwandans that it is unacceptable to take the law into your own hands and that only relevant authorities should be called upon to address crimes.
Rwanda Convention Bureau (RBC) recently announced that due to the outbreak of coronavirus, many meetings which were scheduled throughout the year had been postponed or cancelled.
Nelly Mukazayire, RCB Chief Executive Officer said “The outbreak of coronavirus has imposed some changes and at least 20 meetings which were scheduled this year have been postponed. We are currently discussing the way forward with organizers.”
The announcement from RBC made a lot of people wonder whether CHOGM had also been postponed while the world is still seeking for a cure or vaccine against coronavirus.
On March 31st, 2020, the Commonwealth secretariat stated via Twitter that they are collaborating with the government of Rwanda to find a platform and discuss the way forward with CHOGM.
“CHOGM is scheduled in June 2020 but we are still discussing with Commonwealth member countries and the government of Rwanda to find a solution regarding the unforeseen coronavirus pandemic.”
Clare Akamanzi, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) recently stated that Rwanda is confident CHOGM will not be affected by the coronavirus pandemic. “We are confident that in June, the pandemic will have been stemmed and we intend to make a final decision regarding CHOGM by April, 2020.”
CHOGM will be held at Kigali Convention Centre and Intare Arena in Rusororo while forums will be held at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village, Kigali Serena Hotel and Ubumwe Grande Hotel.
CHOGM is scheduled from June 22nd to June 27th, 2020 and is expected to conclude trade agreements in the construction, sports and entertainment sectors worth $700 million. The meeting will host between 5000 and 8000 delegates.
Even with blanket nationwide adoption of stringent mitigation efforts, between 100,000 and 240,000 Americans could face death in the coming weeks in a cascading nationwide ordeal, according to modeling explained by senior members of the President’s emergency task force Tuesday.
It is in the nature of the presidency, that the commander-in-chief sometimes has to deliver grave news to the nation.
George W. Bush had to narrate the horror of the 9/11 attacks in 2001. Ronald Reagan movingly eulogized shuttle astronauts after a 1986 disaster. And John Kennedy kept his nerve to address the nation during a showdown with the Soviet Union over Cuba that threatened to erupt in nuclear war.
But no president for many decades has had to level with his country over such a sudden impending loss of American life in a medical emergency as Trump is now being forced to do — after apparently coming to terms about the extent of the crisis himself.
It was not the first time that administration experts modeled the staggering possible death toll. But the combination of the President’s unusually serious demeanor and the ominous curve charts of his top public health officials struck a note of alarm missing from Trump’s previous knockabout briefings.
The stark spectacle of a president, especially one who spent weeks dismissing the virus, warning of the imminent demise of so many Americans encapsulated the scale of the crisis.
“I want every American to be prepared for the hard days that lie ahead. We’re going to go through a very tough two weeks,” the President said in the White House briefing room.
Trump’s briefing mostly lacked the elements of self-congratulation and false hope that have characterized his heavily criticized leadership in the crisis.
To begin with, during his marathon two-hour briefing, he mostly ceded the stage to his credible lieutenants Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx, who convinced him of the seriousness of the situation over the weekend.
There have been many false dawns when Trump has failed to match the gravity of a moment during his tenure. Past behavior suggests he may struggle to maintain his unifying tone at a moment of unique national peril.
And the harrowing potential scale of the looming tragedy already have some, like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, saying lives might have been saved had Trump not spent weeks denying the severity of the approaching pandemic and adopted more aggressive actions to prepare.
Usually, cargo trucks from Mombasa port pass through Uganda and Rwanda before reaching Burundi.
The government of Burundi has decided it will not allow any more cargo trucks from Rwanda to enter its territory. The decision received negative feedback from traders as it contradicts the East African Community (EAC) resolution to ease the movement of people and goods between member countries during the COVID-19 crisis.
Ministers of health and EAC coordinators agreed that member countries will be allowed free movement across borders after thorough coronavirus testing.
The Rwanda Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has written to Kenya and Uganda informing them that cargo trucks that were heading to Burundi were denied entrance.
The letter reads: “The government of Burundi has denied entrance of cargo trucks from Rwanda despite EAC measures to allow movement of goods during the pandemic.”
“Following Burundi’s decision, with immediate effect, Rwanda will not be allowing cargo trucks carrying goods to Burundi to pass through its territory.”
Since last week, cargo trucks that were carrying goods to Burundi have been stranded in the no man’s land between Rwanda and Burundi. The letter from the ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation shows that 23 cargo trucks have been denied access to Burundi’s territory as of March 30th, 2020.
Truck drivers have tried negotiating with Burundian authorities but to no avail.
On March 28th, 2020, two trucks heading to Burundi via Nemba border in Bugesera, Rwanda were denied access to Burundi’s territory. They were discharged and goods were packed onto Burundian trucks. One other truck is still stuck at the border until today.
On March 27th, 2020, at Ruhwa border post, two other trucks were denied entrance. At Akanyaru border post, a few other cargo trucks were stuck and drivers were negotiating with Burundian authorities to be granted access.
On March 29th, 2020, 8 trucks that were carrying goods to Burundi were intercepted at Mirama Hills no man’s land between Rwanda and Uganda.
On Tuesday, March 31st, 2020, Rwanda granted refuge to 6 Burundian citizens who were denied entrance by their government. As announced by the directorate general of immigration and emigration, the 6 Burundians have been stranded at the border since March 27th, 2020.
The 6 Burundians include a family of 5 with one member who came to Rwanda for chemotherapy and another Burundian citizen who was traveling from Kenya to Burundi via Rwanda.
Tharcienne Hashazinka had been staying in Rwanda for months while his son was being treated for cancer at Butaro Hospital. The family of 5 tried all they could to cross over to Burundi but were denied entrance.
An official at the directorate general of immigration and emigration stated that the 6 Burundian citizens were granted refuge at a hostel in Huye district and are under a 14-day mandatory quarantine as a preventive procedure against coronavirus.
Burundi’s decision to impose a total blockade is against EAC’s recent resolutions to allow movement of goods between member countries. Citizens who were stranded in foreign countries before the lockdown were allowed to liaise with the embassy of Burundi to be granted entrance but the government of Burundi failed to respect the agreement.
On March 20th, 2020, the government of Rwanda resorted to implementing a complete lockdown on air travel to curb the spread of the virus since it was shown that most infected patients had a recent travel history. Only cargo and emergency flights were allowed to keep operating.
RwandAir confirmed it will resume cargo carriage to facilitate trade and import of necessary goods including drugs.
Yvonne Makolo, RwandAir Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer said that passenger aircrafts will not be used for cargo transportation but rather freight haulers and “RwandAir is streamlining its operations to facilitate air freight during the pandemic.”
Air freight schedules will be announced by the end of this week. In a period where most airlines across the world are facing bankruptcy, cargo transportation is a solution that might help RwandAir stay afloat and at the same time ease international trade during the pandemic.
Other export goods such as tea, coffee, and flowers which make a large percentage of Rwanda’s earnings will also be transported.
Reports say that Dr. Kampale, a Congolese national, was found dead in his apartment on March 28th,2020.
Dr. Theobald Hategekimana, CHUK Director General said Kampale was found dead on Saturday.
Marie Michelle Umuhoza, RIB Spokesperson confirmed the death of Dr. Kampale but said that further investigations are underway to establish what caused his death.
Basumba cell executive secretary Gashegu Justin said the bodies were found on Monday but suspect them to have been struck dead on Saturday as one of the victims was talking on the phone.
“These men used to come to carry out lumbering here from Kabatwa. On Saturday they did not return home, but yesterday their wives came to look for them and we found their bodies near the bridge”
Bodies of the deceased were found late as residents were observing the ‘stay at home’ guidance to control the spread of coronavirus, a Gashegu said.
