This was during the press conference, which highlighted the security situation in the year under review.
“Increased operations, strengthened community policing and working with different groups facilitated successful response to attacks in some parts of our country, fighting drugs, protection of vulnerable groups like children,” said CP Kabera.
In 2019, RNP secured a total of 226 local and foreign events, including Youth Connekt, ICASA, Global Gender Summit, spiritual pilgrims and trade shows, among others.
According to the security report, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, theft, assault, child labour and defilement are some of the crimes that topped the list in 2019.
Over 287, 380kgs of cannabis, 15755 litres of kanyanga (crude gin) and 359,800 litres of locally distilled illicit brew were seized last year.
More than 2,100 drug dealers were also arrested, with majority in Burera, Gicumbi, Kirehe, Rubavu, Rusizi and Nyagatare districts.
76 suspected thieves including those behind 366 recovered school computer laptops, were also arrested in the same period.
Disasters related to fire (380 cases), floods, landslides and mine collapse (93 cases) were also among security challenges faced last year.
{{Road security}}
There was a reduction in road traffic accidents by 17 percent, with 4,661 accidents registered in 2019 compared to 5,611 accidents recorded in the previous year.
Pedestrians were the majority victims with 223 fatalities, 184 motorcyclists and 130 cyclists.
The reduction in accidents was largely due to increased public education on road safety especially through Gerayo Amahoro, law enforcement and adopting IT-related services in traffic.
At least 309, 970 traffic tickets were issued to motorists who violated traffic rules; 186,636 vehicle roadworthness inspections, and 412 driver’s license tests were conducted last year.
“Rwanda National Police initiated and enhanced IT services in traffic such as e-ticketing, cameras, speed governors and online driver’s license testing centres; these continue to play a large part in traffic control and prevention of fatal or serious accidents,” said CP Mujiji.
Fatal accidents resulting from human behaviours such as speeding, drunk-driving, use of phone were reduced by 42 percent, which is attributed to Gerayo Amahoro campaign.
Last year, RNP established 18 online driver’s license testing centres in different parts of the country. The centres provide a platform on daily basis for those doing tests for provisional license.
More 10 centres are expected to be opened this year.
CP Kabera further appealed to the public to utilize the available Police communication channels to report bad services and crime.
These include 110 marine, 111 fire and rescue, 112 emergency, 113 traffic, 997 anti-corruption and 3511 abuse by Police officer.
CP Kabera also disclosed that a separate campaign dubbed ‘Rengera Umwana’ aimed at protecting children (against child labour, teen pregnancy and delinquency…) will also be part of RNP public education programmes this year (2020).
The year 2020 is arriving. From China’s capital Beijing, I would like to extend my New Year wishes to you all!
In 2019, we sweated and we toiled as we pressed ahead with concrete efforts for achievements. Thanks to our steady pursuit of high-quality development, China’s GDP is expected to edge close to 100 trillion yuan with the per capita figure reaching the level of 10,000 U.S. dollars.
Significant breakthroughs have been achieved in three tough battles.
Coordinated development in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region, the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the Yangtze River Delta, all accelerated. Ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River basin have become national strategies.
About 340 impoverished counties and more than 10 million people have been lifted out of poverty. Our lunar probe Chang’e-4, for the first time in human history, landed on the far side of the moon; the Long March-5 Y3 rocket was successfully launched; the Xuelong 2 icebreaker set sail on its maiden voyage to the Antarctic; the construction of the global network of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System is sprinting towards the finish line; the commercial application of 5G technology is accelerating; the Beijing Daxing International Airport “phoenix spread its wings”… all these achievements are the result of the efforts and sweat of those who strive in the new era, and they demonstrate extraordinary Chinese splendor and Chinese strength.
Over the past year, reform and opening-up has continuously generated vigor for development. The reform of Party and government institutions has been successfully completed.
We have set up another batch of pilot free trade zones, and expanded the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone.
The Science and Technology Innovation Board was launched smoothly. We have cut taxes and fees by more than 2 trillion yuan, and raised the individual income tax threshold.
Many types of commonly-used medicines have seen their prices drop, while cheaper and faster internet connection has enabled faster flow of information. Garbage sorting is leading the new trend of a low-carbon lifestyle.
This year we have also streamlined the work of officials at the grassroots level. New changes are taking place everywhere and the country is taking on a fresh look.
Over the past year, we have steadily pushed forward reforms in our national defense and military systems.
The armed forces have taken on a new look of a strong army in the new era. We held a grand military parade on National Day, celebrated the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Navy and the Air Force, and also hosted the 7th Military World Games.
The country’s first self-developed aircraft carrier was commissioned. The people’s army will always serve as a great wall of steel that guards our motherland. Let’s salute those loyal soldiers who safeguard our home.
The most memorable moment of 2019 was the celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
We cheered for the glorious achievements the People’s Republic has made over the past 70 years, and were overwhelmed by the sheer force of patriotism.
The formations during the military parade were powerful, and the mass pageant thrilling. Tiananmen Square was turned into a sea of happiness.
All of China was arrayed in red with proud smiles on all faces as the song “My Motherland and I” played throughout the streets and alleys. Patriotic feelings brought tears to our eyes, and patriotic spirit forms the backbone of the Chinese nation.
All these merge into a surging current that sings an ode to New China and inspires us to work harder in the new era, filling us with boundless energy.
Over the past year, I have visited many places. Construction of Xiong’an New Area is progressing, Tianjin Port is booming, Beijing’s sub-center is thriving, grasslands in Inner Mongolia are splendid, the Hexi Corridor, after thousands of years, is teeming with new life.
The winding Yellow River, where the sky is high and waters are wide, sometimes turbulent, sometimes calm; on both banks of the Huangpu River, there is plenty and prosperity, and ribbons of light shine in the night.
Everything is flourishing across our motherland. I traced the routes of China’s revolution to strengthen my original aspiration.
From Yudu in Jiangxi Province where the Red Army gathered for their Long March, to the Revolution Museum in Xinxian County in Henan Province, the former capital of the Hubei-Henan-Anhui revolutionary base, from the Monument to the West Route Army in Gaotai, Gansu Province, to the revolutionary memorial site in the Fragrant Hills in Beijing, all these places aroused many feelings and thoughts in my mind.
Our original aspiration and mission are our inexhaustible source of motivation during our Long March of the new era.
As usual, no matter how busy I was, I spent time visiting people in the countryside. People shared many of their innermost thoughts with me, and I always keep them in mind. I have also received letters from villagers of the Dulong ethnic group in Gongshan, Yunnan Province; residents of Xiadang township, Shouning County in Fujian Province; soldiers of the Wang Jie Squad; the graduate students of the Class of Champions at Beijing Sport University; and children and senior volunteers from Macao.
In my reply letters, I applauded the achievements they had made and sent my best wishes.
Over the past year, many people and their stories touched us deeply. Zhang Fuqing has kept a low profile and stayed true to his original heart despite the great contributions he’s made to the nation; Huang Wenxiu dedicated her youth and life to poverty alleviation; 31 fire fighters sacrificed their lives in the line of duty in Muli, Sichuan Province; Du Fuguo sacrificed himself to protect his teammates; and China’s Women’s National Volleyball Team won the World Cup in an eleven-match winning streak. Numerous unsung heroes, with neither complaint nor regret, with dedication. Ordinary people living extraordinary lives.
In the year of 2019, China continued to open its arms wide to embrace the world. We hosted the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, the Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition, the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations, and the second China International Import Expo, showcasing a civilized, open and inclusive China to the rest of the world.
I held meetings with many heads of state and government, sharing with them China’s proposals, promoting friendship and deepening consensus. A few countries joined hands with us. The number of countries that have diplomatic ties with China now stands at 180. We have friends in every corner of the world.
2020 will be a year of milestone significance. We will finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and realize the first centenary goal. 2020 will also be a year of decisive victory for the elimination of poverty.
The bugle has sounded. We shall all of one heart “add oil.” The greater the difficulties, the further we advance, strengthening our weak links even more and laying a more solid foundation to win the hard battle against poverty with determination, to lift all impoverished rural residents and counties out of poverty by current standards as scheduled.
Several days ago, I attended the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland and felt heartened for the prosperity and stability in Macao. The successful practice of Macao indicates that the principle of “One Country, Two Systems” is fully applicable, achievable, and popular. In recent months, our hearts have been concerned about the situation in Hong Kong.
Without a harmonious and stable environment, how can people live in peace and enjoy their work! I sincerely wish Hong Kong well and our Hong Kong compatriots well. Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability is the wish of Hong Kong compatriots and the expectation of people of our motherland.
Human history, like a river, runs forever, witnessing both peaceful moments and great disturbances. We are not afraid of storms and dangers and barriers. China is determined to walk along the road of peaceful development and will resolutely safeguard world peace and promote common development.
We are willing to join hands with people of all countries in the world to build together the Belt and Road Initiative, and push forward the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and make unremitting efforts for the creation of a beautiful future for mankind.
At this moment, many people are still at their posts, many people are safeguarding peace and security, and many people are working tirelessly. Your hard work is greatly appreciated.
Let’s seize the day and live it to the full, and greet the arrival of the year 2020 together. I wish you all a happy new year!
According to the Ministry of Education, the first term for the academic year 2020, kicks off on Monday, January, 6.
Students started heading to school this Friday depending on the proximity of the schools.
Friday, January, 3, is reserved for students going to schools in Muhanga, Kamonyi, Nyanza, Huye, Rusizi, Nyamasheke, and the City of Kigali.
All students going to schools in Eastern and Northern provinces will depart Saturday.
Sunday is for students going to schools in Ruhango, Gisagara, Nyaruguru, Nyamagabe, Karongi, Rutsiro, Ngororero, Rubavu and Nyabihu.
However, students joining Senior One and Senior Four were given a week-long extension to their holidays following the release of their national exam results early this week. They will begin on January 13, to allow them time to prepare for the new term.
Commissioner of Police (CP) Rafiki Mujiji, the Commissioner of Traffic and Road Safety Department, assured the public that traffic police were prepared to facilitate traffic movement for the upcoming academic year and urged drivers to respect traffic rules.
“We urge transporters to facilitate students to get to school in time. Students are required to put on school uniform for easy identification, and be at bus stations early,” CP Mujiji said.
He further urged drivers to drive responsibly without rushing or violating road safety standards.
“As usual, don’t overload, regulate your speed and put your phone away when driving.”
CP Mujiji noted that transportation of students should be done in a smooth manner with no “violations and interruptions.”
“Transporters shouldn’t violate road safety standards like over speeding to rush for more trips, which can result into accidents,” CP Mujiji reiterated.
“As an institution charged with public safety, RNP is mandated to ensure that students travel back to school safely, and that other passengers proceed with their businesses without major interruptions,” said CP Mujiji.
“Some drivers have a tendency of speeding so that they can make many rounds, this is completely unacceptable… it’s exposing people’s lives to risks. As usual, Police officers are there to ensure drivers follow road safety standards.”
He appealed to transporters to also ensure that their vehicles are in proper mechanical conditions, and urged passengers to refuse any bad driving or violation of traffic rules and regulations, which put their lives in danger.
The general public and students in particular can report bad driving or any other traffic violations by calling 112, 113, 0788311110 and 0788311155.
The police announced the number of penalties on January 3rd, 2020 in a press conference that focused on road security measures that were implemented in 2019 as well as those planned for 2020.
The Commissioner of Police for Traffic and Road Safety Department, CP Rafiki Mujiji said that it is the norm that a drunk driver receives money penalties and gets imprisoned for 5 days while further investigation is being conducted.
“2597 drunk drivers were arrested for exceeding the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limits which is set at 0.08% in Rwanda. 12,744 others were punished due to speeding while 30,042 drivers were penalized for not respecting the annual mandatory vehicle inspection.”
The law states that drunk drivers receive a penalty of Rwf 150,000 and a 5-day imprisonment. Drivers who defy speed governor policies receive a Rwf 200,000 and if they are caught speeding, an additional Rwf 50,000 is charged.
Research shows that alcohol and other drugs impairs drivers’ vision and mental capacity and can result into accidents, fatal injuries and/or death.
Rwanda National Police confirmed that although there are many causes of accidents, implementing measures to prevent drunk driving can considerably reduce the rate of road accidents.
RNP reported that from January to September 2019, 532 people were victims of road accidents while 705 were severely injured, 1007 had minor injuries and up to 1200 properties were destroyed.
The acceptable limit of blood alcohol content in Rwanda is currently 0.08% but the government is considering reducing it to 0.04%.
The ‘Connect Rwanda’ challenge was launched in November 2019 by MTN Rwanda CEO, Mitwa Kaemba Ng’ambi. It aims at distributing smartphones citizens who cannot afford them in Rwanda.
Individuals and different institutions across the country participate in the challenge through social media by pledging a number of smartphones they will be providing and tagging other people to participate as well.
BRD pledged 500 smartphones on Monday, 30th December 2019 after the Ministry of Infrastructures donated 730 smartphones.
In a tweet by Claver Gatete, the Minister of Infrastructure in the Rwandan Cabinet, he said: “Joining the Connect Rwanda challenge, the Ministry of Infrastructure and affiliated agencies pledge to give 730 Mara Phones to unconnected households, plus another 730 solar home systems, which come with a charging system.”
On Tuesday, 31st December 2019, Paula Ingabire, the Minister of ICT and Innovation announced that the challenge had led to people pledging at least 31,000 smartphones so far.
However, adding the 500 smartphones that will be provided by BRD and the 730 smartphones from the Ministry of Infrastructure, the total number has now reached 32,000 smartphones.
Several institutions across the country have participated in the challenge including Rwanda National Police (RNP) that pledged 1200 smartphones.
The smartphones that will be distributed will allow owners to select a language of choice between Kinyarwanda, French, and English.
The smartphones will have pre-installed applications including Irembo, Banking, health and education services as well as Smart Nkunganire System (SNS), a supply chain management system built by BK TecHouse Ltd in collaboration with Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) to digitalize the end to end value chain of the Agro-Input Subsidy program.
The smartphones will assist poor families in accessing government services without having to go through or be assisted by a third party.
Mara Phones are in two types with Mara X sold at Rwf 139,000 and Mara Z sold at Rwf 180,000.
To support the challenge, Mara Phones will provide a discount on Mara X from Rwf 139,000 to only Rwf 100,000.
CAX is a pan-African summit for the creative ecosystem devoted to creativity in the fields of music, art, design, fashion, literature, culture, publishing, film and television.
Present will be different public figures from around Africa and the whole world.
Idris Elba, one of the most famous actors all over the world, will give a talk. He is best known for such films as “American Gangster”, “Daddy’s Little Girls”, and “Pacific Rim”. In Rwanda, he is specifically known for the film “Some time in April” which is based on the Rwandan 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Among other celebrities expected at the summit is the Senegalese-American singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and actor Akon who also co-founded the Akon Lighting Africa project which aims to provide solar electricity in Africa.
The Nigerian music video director, filmmaker and cinematographer Clarence Peters (family name: Clarence Abiodun Peters) too will give a talk in the summit. Aged 36, he is the founder and CEO of Capital Dream Pictures some of whose most popular songs include such songs as Burna Boy’s “Gbona”, Wizkid’s “Soco”, Runtown’s “Mad Over You”, Simi and Falz’s “Soldier”, Simi’s “Love Don’t Care”, Patoranking’s “Available”, Tiwa Savage’s “Eminado”, and many more.
Among other speakers of the summit is Djimon Hounsou, a Beninese-American actor, and model who rose to prominence with his roles in films such as “Without You I’m Nothing”, “Amistad”, “Gladiator”, “Blood Diamond”, and others.
The Nigerian musician, entrepreneur, and television personality D’banj (born Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo) too will give a talk at the summit. Aged 39, D’banj became popular in Rwanda in 2008 for his song “Fall in Love”.
The French musical duo Les Nubians, composed of sisters Hélène and Célia Faussart, will perform at the summit. They are best known for their Billboard R&B Single “Makeda”.
on January 2, 2020 Rayon Sports had announced that the team, Changchun Yatai Fc, wanted to buy Sarpong at $650,000.
According to Nkurunziza Jean Paul, Rayon Sports’ spokesperson, the Ghanaian 23 years-old Sarpong has left for China for football medical tests.
He said, “ He has gone to China. We are done with talks with the team. He is going to do a medical test.”
Nkurunziza told IGIHE that Rayon Sports will get $150,000 for the transfer.
Michael Sarpong started playing for Rayon Sports in September 2018, coming from Dreams FC, Ghana.
In the last Rwanda National Football League tournament, he scored 16 goals and had already scored 6 goals in the first season of the league in its year 2019/20.
After the Burundian Jules Ulimwengu who was transferred in the last football year, he becomes the second to be transferred by Rayon Sports to China.
The project aims at improving the trustworthiness typical of Rwanda’s financial sector.
Dr. Uwera Claudine, Minister of State in charge of Economic Planning in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) announced to the parliament that FIC will be a separate entity and will not be reporting to the Central Bank of Rwanda.
She mentioned that “Article 4 of the law of 2018 provides that financial intelligence is done by a unit in charge of another institution in charge of fighting money laundering and terrorism financing .”
Prof. Omar Munyaneza, MP and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on National Budget and Patrimony said that FIC will be monitoring activities related to money exchange and other activities including money laundering.
“FIC will provide reports about money laundering, terrorism financing and weapons of mass destruction and also propose measures and penalties to fight against them.”
The law approves that once the financial intelligence center will be set, it will have the right to access institutions’ financial transactions and electronic data stored on servers and share that information if necessary.
FIC will be established to address gaps that were identified in law No69 /2018 of August 31st, 2018 on prevention and punishment of money laundering and terrorism financing regarding non-conformity to international standards.
The incident occurred on the night of Wednesday, 1st January 2020 in Kiruhura village, Kagenge cell, Mayange Sector, located in Bugesera district.
Sebarundi Ephraim, the Executive Secretary of Mayange Sector told IGIHE that Ndayambaje was immediately apprehended after he committed this vile act but that luckily, the twins were rescued before they died.
“He was very drunk. We caught him red-handed as he attacked the two twins with a machete thinking it was his wife. We rescued the children and immediately brought them to receive medical care at ADEPR Nyamata hospital.”
Sebarundi urged Mayange residents to alert authorities about families with conflicts in time in order to prevent such unfortunate incidents.
Ndayambaje has been arrested and is currently held at Nyamata Police Station while his two children continue to receive treatment.
Kayumba Malick, Minisante spokesperson told IGIHE that on Christmas the births recorded from government-owned hospitals and dispensaries were 826.
On December 26th, 2019, Dr. Nkubito Pascal, Muhima Hospital Director General told IGIHE that 31 children were born in the hospital including 19 born from health centers operating under Muhima Hospital.
Records from the Ministry of Health show that in all private and public hospitals and health centers across the country, 26,253 babies are born in one month, 319,460 per year and 875 per day.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) had predicted only 933 children would be born in Rwanda on New Year.
UNICEF shows that on average, the number of births in countries with a high density of population on January 1st, 2020 are around 392,078. Those countries include India(67,385), China (46,299), Nigeria (26,039), Pakistan (16,787), Indonesia (13,020), The United States(10,452), Democratic Republic of Congo (10,247) and Ethiopia (8,493).
UNICEF reported that children mortality is still high and that the causes of death can be prevented. On average, in one year, 2.5 million babies are stillborn.
Rwanda has made strides in reducing children mortality and in November 2019, the Ministry of Health announced that in 7 hospitals in Rwanda, there were no stillborn for the year 2018/19.
Statistics show that the number of obstetricians and midwives have increased in Rwanda from just 1 assigned to 66,749 women to 1 assigned to 4064 women in 2017.
National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) reported that in 2019, the Rwandan population was 12,374,397.
