Rwanda Forensic Laboratory (RFL) replaced Kigali Forensic Lab (KFL), created in 2005, which was since 2015 run by the Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Prosecution providing three services- forensic toxicology, drug and chemistry, and documents examination and fingerprint analysis.
From the end of March this year, Rwanda Forensic Laboratory which was launched on 7th June by the Minister of Justice, Johnston Busingye, started providing other additional services such as DNA forensics, ballistics, forensic pathology, and digital forensics.
Speaking to IGIHE, the Director General of Rwanda Forensic Laboratory, ACP François Sinayobye said the Laboratory can now offer ballistic tests and results when applied for by individuals.
“Since we started operations as RFL, we have done 172 DNA tests of which 110 are paternal. The other tests carried out are related to murder and sexual abuse,” said ACP Sinamenye.
The increase in the number of paternal tests applications is among other reasons due to Rwandan Government’s drive to pursue suspected criminals who defile children and deny them and the drastic reduction in the cost of DNA paternal tests compared to when DNA samples were sent to Germany.
While it cost about more than one thousand US dollars abroad mostly in Germany, it now costs only Rwf267,035.
“People have started understanding the importance of services we deliver. It is a laboratory that came at the right time as it came with solutions to problems that were raised due to lack of evidence after crimes. This will boost the good justice delivery which is necessary for good governance,” ACP Sinamenye added.
Since March this year, RFL has carried out 61 documents tests, 37 fingerprint tests, 25 forensic toxicology tests, 1028 autopsies, two ICT and cyber-related tests and 3030 tests related to violence.
ACP Sinayobye further revealed plans by Rwanda Forensic Laboratory to introduce the Biometric Data Bank which will serve to get DNA samples of suspected criminals without having to first test them.
He made the remarks as the world celebrated the International Mining Day.
When he was asked on quarrying in Rwanda, this official said: “It is clear that quarries can generate production on a national level because of the taxes and levies they pay, but because investing in the sector is easy, local government institution meddles with quarrying including registration under more than one operators.”
He added that when you want to speculate about the potential of minerals present in an area, you face challenges including resistance from would-be relocated residents with the support of mayors. ”Local authorities make it difficult when you want to relocate the residents. They tell them to make it difficult. In such circumstances, you stop what you were doing, and the investor leaves. This also affects the people who would get jobs and the country loses. They (authorities) instead give the quarries to people known to them,” he says.
Asked by IGIHE whether mayors are also involved in the issue, Uwimana briefly responded: “Yes, they are.”
He said that, in some cases, an investor may call the mayor to tell him the problem he has encountered, but the mayor declines to take their calls for two months.
The Chief Executive Officer in Mines, Petroleum, and Gas board, Francis Gatare said that some delays are at times experienced as the newly revised law on quarrying put the powers of issuing permits at different levels; national, district and sector levels, but he also admits that there are really still issues in quarrying.
Governor of the Northern Province, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi said that when someone meets the requirements, their permits should be expedited.
“When you apply for the permits and meet the requirements, you should not be delayed, we are going to have a meeting and identify the reason why they refuse to give them permits. I will tell local government leaders, that mining benefits us especially that when it is done properly, it creates jobs and income for the country,” he said.
However, he noted that there are some leaders who give permits to people who do not meet the requirements to the detriment of the environment.
When the plenary session received a report of the Social Affairs and Human Rights Commission on the process of identifying and monitoring the activities and functions of the Government in terms of implementing capacity-based curricula in primary and secondary schools, on December 4, 2018, the president of the commission, Senator Gallican Niyongana explained that the commission found out that the capacity-based curriculum has been implemented and that students, educators, and officials appreciated it.
However, he said that there are still some challenges to be addressed in order to achieve capacity-based learning and teaching.
“The commission examined the general structure of school infrastructures and found out that many schools have old buildings, have no doors and windows, with damaged desks that have not been repaired,” he said.
He added that the commission found out that many schools do not have enough toilets in comparison with the number of students. He said, in some cases, one school has more than 1000 students and less than 10 toilets which are also unhygienic.
Having heard other issues that were highlighted, the Senate plenary session made decisions that should be submitted to the Government to achieve basic requirements of education based on capacity and willingness.
The Senate requested the government to “prepare within six months, a curriculum based on a survey of issues in all schools, which will be done by respecting standards, establish needed budgeting and how the curriculum implementation can be funded.
The Senate also requested the government to establish school governing bodies in accordance with the law and to establish a monitoring process to know whether they carry out their mandates, which should be undertaken within a period of not more than three months.
The third decision is to solve, in less than one month, the problem of delays in capitation and school feeding grants. Also, the Senate demanded that the government provides the grants at the beginning of the academic year.
The fourth is “to allocate basic materials for education secondary and university schools to help prepare students properly and empowering the schools where the students hone their teaching career.”
It is for the third time that Rwanda has attended such a fair that is taking place in ‘Palais des Festivals’, the only building that hosts world cinema exhibition on a global level. Cannes is renowned for being a meeting point of world’s cinema celebrities.
ILTM presents the world’s most desirable destinations, luxurious accommodations, convenient transport facilities, and unique travel experiences. The exhibiting companies are hand-picked and must possess a good reputation as the fair to demanding international tourists directed.
It links buyers, sellers, and high-level tourism stakeholders. It is organized throughout the world in groups of Africa, Asia, South America, Cannes, Arab countries and China.
In all times that Rwanda has attended, it was represented by private tourism sellers from Rwanda, assisted by the Government of Rwanda through RDB.
A team of Rwandans who are attending the tourism fair is comprised of Robert Gakimbiri of Primate Safaris, Rosette Chantal Rugamba of Songa Africa and Amakoro Lodge, and Elise Milenge of Charleston Travel and Tours.
There are also Manzi Kayihura of Thousand Hills Africa, Robert V. of Wilderness Safaris, Uber Wilderness Safaris, Mwaka of Uber Luxe Safaris, Habba A. of Akagera Aviation, Claudine Rubagumya and Linda Mutesi of RDB.
On the first day, Rwanda, as one of the sponsors as seen on the clothes worn by the participants, was given a first opportunity to show the international media where it stands in touristic activities and encouraging them to publicize the country.
Linda Mutesi representing RDB, in her speech, explained comprehensively the development of tourism in Rwanda, by showcasing the uniqueness and achievements of the sector which portray Rwanda as a beautiful destination in terms of high-quality tourism.
Mutesi also encouraged sellers of travel who are converging in the fair to visit Rwanda and invest money in the country.
Rwanda’s tourism revenues hit $438 million in 2017, with an increase of $34 million compared to 2016.
Increase in tourism incomes is justified because the country reintroduced more species of animals Akagera Park. The animals fall under five major species: rhinoceros, lions, buffalos, elephants, and leopards, the animals believed to attract many tourists.
While it appears that the number of foreign tourists visiting Rwanda’s beautiful parts is high,
RDB in late 2016 launched a domestic tourism campaign dubbed Tembera u Rwanda, loosely translated as “Explore Rwanda”, aimed at encouraging Rwandans and foreign nationals living in Rwanda to go out and explore the country more, in a bid to spur growth in the sector.
That Rwanda is ranked high in terms of hosting international meetings and tourism profits increase, is also thanks to the fact that foreigners get visas on arriving in the country.
Meanwhile, the fact that the national carrier, RwandAir, has many destinations worldwide, and hence facilitating more people to come to Rwanda, is also a source of tourism development.
In April 2018, in Rusororo and Masaka sectors, more than 37,000 bodies of Tutsis killed in the genocide were found in different pits.
IGIHE has learned that five more houses are also believed to have been built on pits where the Tutsis killed in the genocide were thrown are to be demolished.
Rusororo Sector executive secretary , Alfred Nduwayenzu, told lGIHE that the owners of the houses will be compensated.
“It is true. There are five houses thought to be built on the graves where Tutsis killed in the genocide were thrown. One is in Kariyeri, four others are in Gahoromani,” he said.
He added that the value of the houses will be established sooner such that demolition and extraction of remains are completed this month.
Survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis in this area say that they are deeply disturbed by the fact that there are people who have declined to give information about the location of the graves where the bodies were thrown so that victims are given befitting burial.
Emmanuel Nduwayezu, representing Ibuka in Rusororo Sector, requested residents who know where the bodies were thrown to report. “We constantly encourage them to provide information because it is not a problem,” he said.
The activity officially took place at UR- Nyarugenge Campus and other campuses and at IPRCs countywide.
The Minister of ICTs and Innovation, Paula Ingabire launched the activity that will see 14,000 Positivo i5 brand laptops given to Rwandan students from first to fourth years pursuing bachelors and diploma programmes sponsored by the Government of Rwanda.
The activity at UR- Huye Campus was officiated by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, Claudette Irere while Dr. Eugene Mutimura, Minister of Education presided over the same at IPRC Kigali giving laptops to students.
The Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire said that ‘the program to give laptops to students on loan was initiated in 2017 but it later stopped after the beneficiaries complained that they had no capacity to help them in studies which impelled the Ministry to urge the manufacturers to change them and make more effective ones.”
“I assure you the laptops we have given you are effective and have the capacity you expect them to have,” Minister Igabire told students.
Ingabire added that in case any laptop gets faulty, they’ll be repaired at IPRCs.
Iris Kanobana, one of the students who received laptops said: “Most of the times, we are sent notes on emails which require us to print them as we had no computers and it was costly. Now it will become easier and my laptop will help me keep my documents safely.”
The companies will not be able to work with RPPA within six months up to five years.
According to the law on public procurement, for any item bought for over Rwf100 000, the government procurement authority must offer tenders and invite bidders through competition.
In order for a company to enter the competition, it must first fulfill the requirements, including the ability to provide what it is competing for.
Harriet Umutesi, an investigation officer at RPPA, says that the companies are exposed so as to prevent other government institutions from working with them.
“The main reason for publishing the companies is to reduce the number of people who do not abide by their contractual obligations and frauds. Some companies forge bank documents among others to win tenders, “she says.
She adds that when a company feels that it has been mistreated, it is allowed to sue so to restore its public image.
“You may appeal through court and, when you win, we will return your name on this list. We suspend the companies based on information, and there are cases of companies that we removed from the list on court’s order,” she explained.
Below are some ten companies that were blacklisted:
In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, the Admissions and Communications Manager at Kepler, Sylvia Uhirwa said “Kepler is not a university. It is instead a non-government organization working with a US university. At Kepler, we combine the in-person facilitation and career training with online courses provided through College for America, a platform of SNHU.”
Uhirwa says that Kepler, established in 2013, aims to provide quality higher education to those who could not otherwise afford higher education in Rwanda.
Kepler does this through a loan given to students who, with the consent of their parents, sign a contract pledging to pay it back five years after they secure employment.
For admissions, potential students must apply online then those selected are invited to take a test and are interviewed by Kepler staff.
Once the potential students are admitted into the program, Kepler pays for all tuition and accommodation. In addition, Kepler provides each student with a monthly stipend for daily basic needs and offers laptops on loans to assist in the students in their academic studies.
“This contributes greatly to the development of the country as the student studies without worrying about tuition and upkeep,” added Uhirwa.
Kepler Rwanda program offers Bachelor of Arts in Management, Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Bachelor of Arts in Healthcare Management in a three-year program.
166 Kepler graduates have entered the labor market including those who studied at the Kigali Campus and others who were enrolled at Kiziba Campus in Karongi District.
The application deadline for the next cohort ends December 31, 2018
For more information regarding registration and admission, one can visit Kepler’s website, [www.kepler.org->www.kepler.org] or call +250789773042. You can also visit the campus Kepler’s office in Kimironko-Zindiro, Kigali near Kwa Mushimire.
The launch of Mercedes-Benz Actros took place at Kigali Convention Center and was attended by ABG partners, esteemed customers, management from Mercedes-Benz and ABG management.
Attendees had time to test the newly launched Actros, which is fuel efficient and promising high return on investment. The launch is yet another milestone for ABG, bringing easy access to Rwandans who would find it difficult to purchase genuine spare parts locally.
Speaking at the launch of the new Mercedes-Benz Actros, the Managing Director of AKAGERA BUSINESS GROUP (ABG), Vinay Gorajia considered the achievement as “another milestone and history of AKAGERA MOTORS with over 20 years of presence in Rwanda.”
Currently, AKAGERA MOTORS represents brands like MERCEDES-BENZ, FUSO, MCV, FOTON, TOYOTA, KIA, NISSAN, and MAHINDRA.
Mr. Gorajia assured that “ABG is committed to becoming your trusted business partner in transport and logistics needs. Not only from the aspect of selling you products but the long-term relationship of servicing the products for you so that all the cost of ownership is as low as possible, which will translate into a very good financial position for your company.”
“Asset management is one of the key factors that many companies struggle with because of the cost of ownership from maintenance and fuel consumption point of view. This is a key element we are going to be focusing on in 2019 with the most recent upgrades and how we can assist you,” he added.
Mr. Gorajia explained that the management of a company should be able to concentrate its full resources on the primary objective and outsource other services to the experts, noting that brands like Mercedes-Benz will benefit customers given that it is a renowned company for robustness whether in passenger or commercial vehicles.
“Today, AKAGERA MOTORS is taking the commitment to you, our valued partners, that AKAGERA MOTORS will strive to give the right product for the right application where the total cost of ownership is the lowest and life cycle of the product in your fleet will have the highest resale value when it is time for disposal. If your vehicles are maintained under the right conditions, you will definitely get the highest resale values,” he noted.
{{Efficiency, Reliability & Robustness
}}
Torsten Bauerheim, Head of Sales and Customer Service at Mercedes-Benz Trucks said that more than 120 years after investing in the first truck and now after 20 years of the proven Actros, it is time to enter into a new dimension of heavy-duty trucks in Rwanda’s market. “We are proud to present our newly developed product range to you. The new Actros, a synonym with efficiency and reliability and robustness worldwide but especially in Africa,” he said.
He explained that the Actros are equipped with new standards, displaying beauty with complete new functional and aerodynamic cabins, which is the biggest change inside. The Actros stands for robustness, versatility, high residual values, user-friendly and genuine spare parts availability which makes Mercedes-Benz a worldwide and in Africa and in Rwanda known and valued.
Bauerheim commended the strong partnership with ABG facilitating access to Mercedes-Benz vehicles in Rwanda.
“All together we deliver you the best to the cost of ownership. You prove every day that business and our trucks are successful together. All this would not be possible without great cooperation with AKAGERA MOTORS our valued distributor for Rwanda. We are proud of our relationship with ABG as a strong network is the basis of our business. We move to enter into a new dimension,” he noted.
{{Construction & Transportation
}}
Rodrigue Kajio, Regional Sales Manager at Mercedes-Benz Trucks covers sales of Mercedes-Benz in 20 countries. West and Central Africa took participants through Mercedes-Benz journey, which in 1995 was the first truck manufacturer to test and introduce a truck electronically controlled, Actros MP1 and kept upgrading with the launch of MP2 in 2002 and MP3 in 2008.
Kajio described the Actros truck as reliable and provides economic advantages in addition to its reliability, efficiency, and robustness.
“After 20 years of classic Actros, Mercedes-Benz has decided to move into a new dimension. Today what we are presenting in Rwanda are the new Actros and Arocs. The Actros stands for long transport and the Arocs is set for the construction industry. These are the two trucks we are bringing today into Rwanda.”
“We are in a world where the transport and fuel cost is going high. So the transporter is not able to make profit anymore. The promise of Mercedes-Benz is to provide a more profitable truck for the transporter.”
“The new Actros and Arocs are trucks consuming less fuel, more reliable, feature the Power Shift 3 engine and eliminates all negative influences of the drivers on the truck. So the maintenance costs are improved. This is the way Mercedes-Benz as a company can allow the transporter to save more money in their pocket.”
{{Fuel Efficiency
}}
Ravi Gorajia, the Vice President and Technical Director of AKAGERA BUSINESS GROUP told Hope Magazine that the launched Actros is updated with a new design, technologies and is different from the previous Actros models; being fuel-efficient, robust and promising return on investment.
“They are specifically designed for heavy loads and for transporting short and long distances. It is very powerful and fuel-efficient. It has the new Mercedes-Benz Power Shift 3, the engine management system and the computer that controls the system knows the terrain,” he said.
Mr. Gorajia explained that 8 to 10% of the fuel is saved hence reflecting one’s finances.
The end result for your business is an economical mode of transport that one can have. It is technologically advanced, new designs, robust, strong and has a very beautiful ergonomic design inside and outside with top balance sides. “There are several factors making this vehicle unique. Mercedes-Benz gives you a product for the right application that is going to last practically as long as you want it to last,” said Mr. Gorajia noting that the new development eases servicing to new and existing owners.
“We have many transporters here in Rwanda who have a good fleet of Mercedes-Benz. We would like to partner with them and support them in after sales service and we cannot do that if we are not authorized, distributors. That is why we have been working with Mercedes-Benz to create a joint venture between the two companies to give our customers who have been using Mercedes-Benz for a long time in Rwanda but have been lacking after sales service support, now they can buy them here in Rwanda.”
{{More Models
}}
AKAGERA MOTORS also has passenger vehicles and plans to bring more models in the future based on customer needs. “It is a long-term investment and relationship we want to create with our customers. We are here for the customers and whatever they need we will provide them,” explained Mr. Gorajia.
{{Technical}}
The Actros enables you to make more profits when out and on the road with many fuel-saving technical innovations and custom made service offers such as Service Contractors or Extended Warranty packages. The Actros is easier and safer to drive and more outstandingly capable than any other truck that’s gone before.
The truck has been built to deliver top performance even in the most extreme conditions with reliability expected from Mercedes-Benz.
The Actros is equipped with leading Mercedes-Benz vehicle technology and components tested under the toughest conditions. This applies to engines, gearshifts, transmissions and drives axles as well as frames, chassis, suspension, and cabins. Everything is perfectly coordinated in order to meet all requirements reliably even in extreme conditions and difficult terrain. Compelling the quality that is immediately apparent the first time you take to the wheel and which will continue to bring benefits for many years to come.
All components of the powertrain on the Actros are ideally coordinated and produced exclusively by Mercedes-Benz.
The Actros has a powerful cylinder in-line engine: the 12.8-liter OM 460.
Mercedes-Benz Power Shift 3: The Actros enables superior dynamic response, simple handling and low fuel consumption: the automated transmission comes as standard. It ensures precise gear selection, short shift times, high driving comfort and optimal economy. Various driving programs provide a convincing shifting strategy appropriate to the individual driving situations and the load carried at the time. Each driving program consists of three transmission modes: standard, manual and the specific mode selected with the driving program.
With its automated and intelligent shifting, Mercedes-Benz Power Shift 3 protects the powertrain, significantly reducing maintenance and operating costs and thus contributing to the profitability of your business.
{{Clutches:}} The Actros features a new single or double-disc clutch incorporating overload protection with a warning system which is designed for vast levels of torque up to 3,000 Nm. The wear-free turbo retarder clutch is also available. This offers maximum performance when moving off maneuvering with particularly high gross combination weights.
{{Rear Axles:}} The weight optimized drive axles on the Actros boost low frictional loss and extremely smooth running. Fuel-efficient hypoid drive axles are designed for axle loads of up to 13 tons or further optimized planetary axle loads of up to 16 tons. Vehicle and powertrain configurations are additionally available ex-factory, which enable permissible weights of up to 68 tons, 80 tons and 120 tons or as a heavy haulage vehicle up to 250 tons.
{{Engine}}: Boost not only high power but also a reliable and durable design. The OM 460 features particularly robust technology with pump-line-nozzle injection system.
The high power of the engine brake and retarder boost the available brake power, reduce wear and improve economic efficiency.
The Actros is equipped with an improved engine cooling system, which keeps you going no matter the heat. Due to this asset, the truck receives a higher engine output even during high ambient temperature or altitude.
{{Protection:}} The air intake was dust optimized with a cyclone air filter, which collects up to 80 percent of dust and large particles inside the rubber valves. This means a reduction in maintenance cost due to reduced soiling of the paper filter and longer filters change intervals.
{{Extensively Tested:}} All Actros components come in particularly durable, repair and maintenance-friendly design and boost the high degree of reliability. This is ensured by extensive testing at the Mercedes-Benz Development and Testing Center in Worth for example where worldwide road conditions are simulated, enabling trucks to be tested under the toughest conditions.
{{Low Fuel & High Efficiency:}} With significant fuel savings, the Actros with its new 6–cylinder in-line engine is a particularly economic proposition. Further fuel savings can be achieved by changing from a manual shift to Mercedes-Benz Power Shift 3.
{{Euro III:}} Concealed beneath the cabins are heavy-duty 6-cylinder in-line engines with a displacement of 12.8 or 15.6 I. Their closely graduated outputs range from 265Kw (360 hp) to 425 (578 hp). All of the engines are durable, perform highly efficiently and accelerate impressively from low revs. On top of this come technical highlights such as full electronic control and with the OM 473, the unique X-pulse injection system with pressure boosting and the asymmetric turbocharger.
{{Brakes:}} In addition to the proven electronic braking systems with dis-engage-able ABS, ASR, Brake Assist and hill holder, powerful, wear-free engine brakes provide added safety. The Actros can additionally be fitted with the wear-free continuous High-Performance Engine Brake. This three-stage brake system offering up to 480kW of brake power reduces wear on the service brake while enhancing safety, the Actros can be equipped with the new high-performance secondary water retarder. This retarder offers increased brake power, higher average speeds on downhill stretches and less weight than conventional oil retarders.
{{Aerodynamically Efficient}}: The design of the Actros has been optimized right down to the finest details in order to reduce wind resistance. Engineers have developed a special cabin variant with an aerodynamically-optimized design and therefore low fuel consumption: The Streap Space cabin features such as the door extensions, aerodynamic attachments and tire pressure monitoring also save fuel.
{{Body Mounting Capability:}} The frame with the consistent 50mm hole pattern provides the basis for the Actros’s high body mounting capability. Other assets include a wide range of wheelbases, frame overhangs and end cross-members selectable ex-factory and a broad selection of tank variants. These include the combination tanks for diesel and hydraulic oil. Good body-mounting capability is additionally supported by the parameterizable special module and pre-installations and consoles, which are available ex-factory.
{{Safety & Assistance}}: In addition to the electronic braking system with dis-engage-able ABS, ASR, Brake Assist and hill holder, the high standard of safety is also supported by Stability Control Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Attention Assist and Roll Control Assist Systems such as Active Brake Assist, the bi-xenon headlamps, the rain/light sensor, the co-driver mirror with a maneuvering function and the tire pressure monitoring system help the drive to mitigate accidents.
{{Active Brake Assist:}} The fourth generation of the system assists the driver by carrying out a full brake application in response to stationary and moving objects and partial braking in response to pedestrians in motion; in this way, it can reduce the severity of accidents or even prevent them.
{{Diverse Cabins:}} The cabins combine especially fuel-efficient aerodynamics with outstanding interior space and storage space. Up to 22 cabin variants in widths of 2,300mm or 2,500mm, three cabin lengths (S, M and L cabins), a level floor or an engine tunnel height of 170 or 320mm, headroom of up to 2,130mm and six roof shapes – the Actros is always able to offer a suitable cabin for your needs.
{{State–Of-The-Art:}} The newly designed workplace, with a cockpit that is ideally suited to the driver’s needs, offers optimum working conditions because everything is arranged ergonomically and within easy reach. From switches and stowage compartments in the dash support to the gearshift, which is now operated via the steering-column lever. The multifunction steering wheel can be adjusted via a foot-operated switch and moved to a virtually vertical position for getting in and out.
Other cases include people who tamper with meters to steal electricity or use illegal methods to connect households.
Besides dangers exposed on them as it can cause accidents that sometimes result in deaths, electricity accessories items thefts also cause losses in public revenues as money invested in connecting the nation to electricity is not returned which impedes the general population from getting benefits of taxes they pay adequately.
It also often causes unexpected power outages which affect the population’s daily works and businesses.
Stanley Nkubito Kamugisha, Head of Energy Efficiency and Revenue Protection Unit at REG told IGIHE that in the last 10 years, over 3000 people were arrested over electricity accessories theft and meter by-pass and recovered stolen power items worth Rwf3 billion.
Despite the item recovery, the electricity items can no longer be reused as they were damaged.
{{Thefts in Districts
}}
Last year, 20 people were arrested in Kayonza District in connection with the theft of electricity but only five of them are in prison while all the others fled justice, according to the REG Manager in Kayonza, Jackson Muhoza.
These include those who used to illegally connect households to electricity and meter bypass. Kayonza District lost Rwf22 million to electricity theft while stolen power items including cables resulted in a Rwf40 million loss.
Martin Mutsindashyaka, the REG Branch Manager in Nyarugenge District of Kigali City says that arrested in electricity theft activities were seven people in 2016, three in 2017 while another five people have been so far arrested in this year.
Stolen electrical items in Nyarugenge in 2017 were worth Rwf 1.687 billion while electricity stolen in August this year was worth Rwf15 million.
This year has seen 21 individuals in Musanze District accused of a role in the theft of electricity and power items with two of them handed imprisonment sentences while three others are still being investigated by Rwanda Investigation Bureau.
Electricity thefts have seen Musanze District lose over Rwf6 million this year according to REG Branch Manager in the District, Joel Nsabimana.
The REG Branch Manager in Gicumbi District, Fulgence Nkundabakuze said this year, six people were caught in thefts of electricity as they consumed power they didn’t pay for a year while two months ago, four people were caught stealing power items.
Gicumbi District lost over Rwf2,5 million to power thefts while items including 11 meters stolen were worth Rwf11 million.
Nkubito says REG connects every household located in 37 meters from the electricity crossbar and consumers pay in installments in case they can’t afford power lumpsum payments which should stop people from stealing electricity.
He urged people to stop stealing electricity as REG has got the technology that detects thefts.
{{Measures
}}
The Head of Commercial Cycle Performance Unit, Aime M.Uwanyirigira, said “REG has taken measures to stop losses caused by the theft of electricity and its accessories working closely with local leaders and customers.
Uwanyirigira said REG has set Rwf50,000 amount as a reward for someone who will share information about power thefts.
“We will keep working with local leaders as they are the ones who mostly give us information. We will also work with security agents not forgetting the general public so that offenders should pay for their wrongdoings,” says Joel Nsabimana, the Branch Manager in Musanze District.
Nsabimana urged Rwandans to seek electricity services only from Rwanda Energy Group and pay all the fees on its official bank account and know that all the money paid for electricity services in cash is a bribe. He urged people to report corruption attempts by calling the free line 3535 or send SMS to +250788310606.
Article 51 of the new law determining general offenses and penalties that was recently published in the official gazette punishes fraudulent consumption of electricity.
