In an announcement made public on Sunday, RGB called on leaders of faith-based organizations to enforce these safety measures in places of worship and urged worshippers to adhere to the guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus.
The guidelines include promoting awareness among congregants about the risks of the Marburg virus, setting up handwashing stations with soap and water or appropriate sanitizers, and conducting temperature checks for everyone entering churches and mosques.
Additionally, the guidelines call for the safe administration of Holy Communion to prevent transmission, advising against physical contact with individuals showing symptoms of Marburg, touching their belongings or the body of someone who has died from the virus.
Conducting farewell rituals for the deceased in churches or mosques has been prohibited. The guidelines also discourage large gatherings or funerals that could increase the risk of transmission.
According to the Ministry of Health, as of Sunday, 12 people had died from the Marburg virus out of the 49 reported cases. Twenty-nine individuals are receiving treatment, while eight others have recovered.
Marburg is a highly contagious disease that causes severe fever and can be fatal. It is caused by a virus and shares initial symptoms with other illnesses, such as malaria and typhoid.
The primary symptoms of the Marburg virus include high fever, severe headaches, muscle pain, extreme fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The besieged Kenyan second-in-command, widely reported to have fallen out with his boss, William Ruto, pleaded with the Head of State to pardon him if he and his spouse, Dorcas Rigathi, had done anything to offend him.
“I want to say to my brother President William Ruto, if, in our zeal to work, I have wronged you, please find it in your heart to forgive me. If my spouse, in her duties with the boy child, has wronged you in any way, please find it in your heart to forgive her,” Gachagua pleaded during a church service at the National Prayer Altar in Nairobi.
Gachagua also made a similar passionate appeal to members of Parliament in an attempt to make amends ahead of the consideration of his impeachment motion.
In an apparent reference to his controversial remarks that the government was like a company where those who voted for the current administration hold more shares than others, Gachagua pleaded with Kenyans to pardon him, insisting that he did not mean to cause ethnic divisions but intended to appreciate those who voted for him and Ruto into power.
“Probably, you find that in appreciating our people and the support they gave the president and I, our utterances made you feel uncomfortable; we did not mean bad; we were appreciating the people who voted for us. If you feel that we rubbed you the wrong way, please find it in your heart to forgive me,” he further appealed.
Gachagua is facing ouster two years after assuming office in a joint ticket with President Ruto.
The impeachment motion, tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, lists 11 grounds for his removal from office.
Among the charges are allegations of dividing Kenyans along ethnic lines, undermining President Ruto’s administration, and other state agencies.
Other charges include amassing wealth illegally, bullying, and intimidating state officers. In one incident, Gachagua allegedly intimidated a contractor to divert materials meant for the construction of a public road to tarmac a private road leading to his beach resort in Kenya’s coastal region.
Parliament approved the motion to table and debate it after garnering signatures from 291 MPs. Public participation for the motion was conducted on Friday and Saturday ahead of the debate on Tuesday.
The motion must garner the support of 233 MPs, representing two-thirds of the total 349 MPs, before being transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
Gachagua, who brought in significant votes for Ruto from Kenya’s populous Mt. Kenya region in the August 2022 election, insists that he is innocent. He has dismissed the impeachment plot as a political witch hunt.
Muhoozi was cautioned by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee that any further provocation would be “very problematic” and met with “a serious response.”
In posts on X on Friday, Muhoozi gave Ambassador Popp an ultimatum to issue a personal apology to his father by Monday October 7 at 9 am.
Muhoozi claimed that the ambassador had exhibited undiplomatic behaviour, accused him of disrespecting President Museveni, and warned of a “serious confrontation.” The tweets have since been deleted.
The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee responded directly to the deleted posts, emphasising that any further escalation could lead to significant consequences.
“Any further confrontation will be very problematic & met with a serious response,” the committee stated, clarifying that the US Ambassador and the US mission in Uganda engage with the Ugandan government on a non-partisan basis to foster stronger ties between the American and Ugandan people.
{{Genesis}}
The root cause of Muhoozi’s online tirade remains unclear. However, speculation suggests it may have been triggered by an alleged letter from Ambassador Popp, reportedly advising President Museveni against seeking re-election in 2026 due to concerns about Uganda’s stability and the broader region.
Meanwhile, the US government also imposed sanctions this week on four Ugandan police officers over human rights violations. The officers are Bob Kagarura, Alex Mwine, Elly Womanya, and Hamdani Twesigye.
President Museveni, once considered a vital ally to the West for regional security, has indicated his interest in extending his presidency beyond its current 40-year span. Muhoozi had previously signaled a desire to succeed his father but has recently called on his supporters to back Museveni’s continued rule.
In response to the escalating situation, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller addressed the sanctions imposed on the four Ugandan police officers for “gross violations of human rights,” including torture and inhumane treatment.
Miller reaffirmed that the United States remains dedicated to working with the Ugandan authorities on a broad array of issues and remains committed to upholding justice and accountability for human rights violations worldwide. This includes denying travel visas to individuals with a record of abuse.
The US Embassy in Uganda reiterated Miller’s remarks, stating that the embassy, Ambassador Popp, and the US government continue their usual operations and collaborations with Ugandan officials.
On Saturday 5, during a closed-door meeting of Heads of State, Tshisekedi was represented by Bestine Kazadi, Minister of Francophonie. This has been widely viewed as a deliberate and tactical move to avoid a possible meeting with his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame.
Tshisekedi also missed the heads of state luncheon at Petit Palais. In the early afternoon, he was seen at the airport, with close associates noting that he was unhappy and frustrated by Macron’s handling of the DRC-Rwanda crisis.
A DRC representative was quoted as saying that Macron’s diplomacy disappointed his boss, because despite having a positive meeting with Tshisekedi, Macron later delivered a speech that did not meet his expectations.
Congolese officials returning from Paris were angry, claiming that Macron was trying to appease Kagame and that the events in Paris felt more like a “Rwanda summit,” given that the OIF is led by Rwandan Louise Mushikiwabo.
Meanwhile Macron has revealed that he had planned to bring together President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and his DRC counterpart for interactive discussions but this did not happen.
During a presser marking the end of the two-day summit, Macron expressed his commitment to resolving the issues between Rwanda and the DRC. However, Macron explained that Tshisekedi declined an opportunity where a possible meeting with Kagame would happen, citing the strained relations between Rwanda and the DRC.
When asked by a journalist whether France was continuing its efforts to mediate between Rwanda and the DRC, Macron confirmed this and mentioned that he had met with Félix Tshisekedi on October 4 and with Paul Kagame on the morning of October 5.
The French President revealed that in these meetings, he informed both leaders that France and La Francophonie desired peace and security to return to eastern DRC.
DRC officials described the Friday with talks Tshisekedi as positive but expressed their desire for Macron to take a stronger stance in favour of the DRC.
“We understand that Macron wants to mediate, but if that’s the case, he should not be biased. He condemned Rwanda, which is good. But we are asking him to go further and impose sanctions,” Tshisekedi’s representative said
He added that the DRC expected Macron to fully support their position, much like he had with Morocco in its dispute with Algeria.
Throughout the summit, Macron emphasized that France and the OIF were urging both the DRC and Rwanda to continue the Luanda dialogue to achieve peace. He also mentioned that he had conveyed this message to both Kagame and Tshisekedi during their meetings.
“We are clear that France calls for the dismantling of the FDLR and all other armed groups in the DRC, and for hate speech to cease. We also urge political dialogue with M23 and other political actors to pave the way to peace,” Macron said.
During the talks between Macron and Kagame on Saturday, which lasted over an hour, Jeune Afrique reported that Kagame presented Rwanda’s position on the issues with the DRC, stating that Rwanda was open to dialogue aimed at resolving the conflict.
Rwanda’s position on the matter remained unchanged, insisting that the DRC must sever ties with and dismantle the FDLR, while Rwanda would also scale back its security measures.
{{Macron calls for FDLR’s dismantling, M23’s return to negotiations}}
President Macron urged the disbanding of the FDLR, a rebel group operating in eastern DRC, and called for the M23 to return to political negotiations with the DRC government.
The plan to dismantle the FDLR has been a key point in discussions between Rwandan and DRC ministers since they met in Luanda in March 2024, with Angola as a mediator.
While it was anticipated that on September 14, 2024, the delegations from both countries would sign Angola’s plan for dismantling the FDLR, the DRC representatives rejected it, despite the known collaboration between DRC forces and the FDLR in fighting M23.
A ceasefire between the M23 and the DRC government forces is another major issue in Luanda talks, although M23 has expressed that it is not bound by these decisions, as it has not participated in the negotiations.
M23’s absence from the talks was prompted by the DRC government’s refusal to engage with them. The group was excluded from the Nairobi talks led by the East African Community, with the DRC accusing them of reigniting conflict, despite M23 denying the accusations.
Angola recently urged DRC representatives to agree to talks with M23, but the DRC again rejected this, stating that it would not negotiate with a group it labels as a terrorist organization.
After the failed talks on September 14, it is expected that Rwandan and DRC delegations will reconvene in Luanda later in October 2024. This was confirmed by Angola’s ambassador to the UN, Francisco José da Cruz, on September 30, 2024.
In a recent media address, the minister stated that the use of shared helmets by pillion passengers, especially those showing symptoms, could increase the risk of spreading the virus. He urged individuals exhibiting symptoms to avoid motorcycles and seek emergency help from the ministry immediately.
“People have asked us whether it’s possible to contract the virus from using a taxi motor helmet that has been worn by someone else. If a person is showing symptoms, especially high fever, painful headache, or muscle aches, they should not be getting on a moto or wearing a shared helmet. Doing so could increase the risk of spreading the virus.
“What you should do instead is call the emergency helpline so that we can assist you and prevent the virus from becoming life-threatening,” Dr. Nsanzimana advised.
He called for increased hygiene in the sector, including the cleaning of helmets before use as a precautionary measure.
“As for the helmet itself, there is no immediate concern. However, as a precaution, anyone using a shared helmet should clean it before use,” the minister added.
Dr. Nsanzimana noted that hygiene practices had proved successful in containing previous outbreaks, such as COVID-19.
“During COVID-19, we adopted practices of maintaining hygiene—not just with the helmets but also in public spaces like seating areas, toilets, and other high-contact surfaces. We must continue to be vigilant, especially in places where someone with the virus might have been, to avoid contracting it through direct contact,” he added.
He argued that imposing stricter measures, including suspending the use of the popular means of transport, was not “necessarily the solution.”
“Stopping the use of taxi motors isn’t necessarily the solution; instead, we should encourage people to use them in a safe and hygienic manner,” he added.
“The Rwandan government has made it a priority to fight every outbreak using all available resources to avoid harsher restrictions. Our goal is to manage the situation alongside normal activities without resorting to uncomfortable measures.”
Meanwhile, the minister announced on Sunday that Rwanda had initiated vaccination trials for Marburg. The initial phase targets healthcare workers directly involved in treating patients, as well as individuals who have contracted the virus.
The Ministry of Health indicated that the country had received 700 vaccines on October 5, 2024, and various agencies had already assessed them, allowing individuals on the list of those at high risk of infection to start receiving these vaccines.
“The vaccines arrived [in Rwanda] last night, and they have been verified by the relevant authorities here in Rwanda and the National Immunization Program, who have assessed them and are preparing them so that today we can begin vaccinating those who are most at risk of this outbreak,” Dr. Nsanzimana stated.
Rwanda has so far confirmed 46 cases, 12 deaths, and five recoveries from Marburg disease. Cumulative tests conducted have surpassed 1,700.
Dr. Thierry Roels, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Country Director in Rwanda, confirmed that the shipment of the consignment was completed on Friday, October 4, 2024.
“The U.S. government has completed an initial shipment of therapeutic and vaccine doses to support Rwanda in the first days of its response to the emergence of the Marburg virus in Kigali,” Roels said on Saturday, October 5, 2024, without revealing the number of doses delivered.
Roels indicated that the U.S. government is working closely with international partners and Rwanda’s Ministry of Health to initiate clinical trials for evaluating investigational countermeasures. The U.S. is also considering additional shipments that would supply the trials.
The delivery of the consignment comes days after Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, confirmed plans to roll out therapeutic clinical trials for the vaccination and treatment of the highly contagious disease.
Among the vaccines being evaluated is one developed by the Sabin Vaccine Institute, a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. Early-stage human trials have demonstrated that the vaccine is safe and triggers an immune response.
On Saturday, the Sabin Vaccine Institute announced the delivery of approximately 700 doses to Rwanda for a trial targeting frontline workers, including healthcare professionals.
“In response to a request from the government of Rwanda and the Ministry of Health to support its ongoing Marburg outbreak response, we have provided an initial shipment of 700 investigational Marburg vaccine doses to be used in a trial targeting frontline workers. We dispatched the shipment within seven days of first being contacted for assistance, thanks to our many partners,” the organization said in a statement.
“We are prepared to supply additional vaccines pending a request from Rwandan officials and authorization from BARDA, which is funding our current research and development efforts.”
In addition to vaccination efforts, Gilead Sciences, an American biopharmaceutical company based in Foster City, California, announced on Thursday that it would donate approximately 5,000 vials of its antiviral drug, remdesivir, to Rwanda for emergency use in response to the outbreak.
Rwanda has so far confirmed 46 cases, 12 deaths, and five recoveries from Marburg disease. Cumulative tests conducted have surpassed 1,700.
Initial symptoms of Marburg virus disease include high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, and fatigue, followed by gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. As the disease progresses, it can lead to severe hemorrhaging, organ failure, and shock.
To prevent infection, health experts recommend maintaining strict hygiene practices, including frequent handwashing and avoiding contact with personal items or bodily fluids of individuals showing Marburg-like symptoms.
This issuance offers investors a unique opportunity to participate in Rwanda’s first-ever green bond, adding a new asset class for enhanced portfolio diversification. The bond is open for reoffering until 17 October 2024 and will be listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange.
The green bond has undergone external verification by IBIS ESG Consulting Africa, which provided a Second Party Opinion (SPO) confirming that it meets the International Capital Market Association’s (ICMA) updated Green, Social, and Sustainability Bond Principles issued in June 2021.
Speaking at the Prime Energy Investor Day held at the Rukarara Hydropower plant in Musanze District, Mr. Tsheole emphasized the significance of this milestone for Rwanda’s capital market, particularly in offering alternative financing options. He praised Prime Energy for their pioneering role, stating, “I am proud of this milestone by Prime Energy, as it reflects our collective commitment to sustainable development.”
The transaction was supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, which worked closely with Prime Energy to structure the green bond. The IFC’s advisory support is part of a broader initiative to facilitate access to long-term local currency finance for key sectors in Rwanda.
CEO Tsheole also emphasized CMA’s role in ensuring that Rwanda’s capital markets function transparently and efficiently, while protecting investors by enforcing disclosure requirements.
‘At CMA, we ensure that our capital markets operate efficiently and transparently, and we focus on protecting the interests of investors by ensuring the issuer complies with the requirements by making all the necessary disclosures to allow investors to make informed investment decisions. We are however taking a developmental approach to regulating capital markets,’’ he said.
He further encouraged other sectors within Rwanda’s economy to explore the potential of green bonds as a means of attracting investments into renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and other climate-friendly initiatives.
Prime Energy currently operates four hydropower plants in Rwanda’s Western, Southern, and Northern Provinces, under 25-year concession agreements with the Government of Rwanda, and power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Energy Utility Corporation Limited (EUCL).
The program seeks to ensure that all children have access to nutritious meals, enabling them to focus on their studies and improve their academic performance.
Although the Rwandan government covers 90% of the school feeding costs, some families struggle to contribute the required Frw1,000 per trimester.
To address this gap, the #DusangireLunch campaign encourages individuals and communities, both within Rwanda and abroad, to support the initiative. A donation of Frw1,000 can provide meals for one child for a term, while Frw3,000 covers a full year.
Motivated by the campaign, RCA-China, mainly composed of students, organized a fundraising drive in August 2024 with the aim of supporting at least 1,000 children. In just one month, they raised funds to cover meals for 2,276 children.
Claudien Habimana Simbi, President of RCA-China, praised the generosity of the Rwandan community in China, stating, “We are committed to supporting our country’s development programs. No contribution is too small; your donation can change the life of one child and have a lasting impact on Rwanda’s sustainable development. Let us continue to be an example of boundless cooperation.”
The #DusangireLunch campaign emphasizes that everyone, regardless of their location, can help ensure no child in Rwanda goes without a meal at school due to financial hardship.
The campaign has also received support from the Rwandan community in Turkey, which contributed over Frw1 million.
#DusangireLunch campaign was launched in June 2024 by the Ministry of Education in partnership with Mobile Money Rwanda and Umwalimu SACCO.
Other contributors to the campaign include Mobile Money Rwanda, which pledged to support 10,000 students over one year with Frw30 million, and Umwalimu SACCO, which committed to providing lunch for 8,500 children over two years, worth Frw51 million.
As at September 11, the Ministry of Education had collected Frw143 million through the campaign.
Since its nationwide expansion in 2021, the school feeding program has contributed to a 4% decrease in primary school dropout rates by June 2024.
Notably, in the first nine months of 2024, more electric vehicles were imported than in any previous year, underscoring a rapid transition on Rwanda’s roads.
This surge can largely be credited to the government’s removal of import taxes on electric vehicles, part of a broader initiative to reduce air pollution and decrease dependency on fuel-based products.
These efforts have gained even more significance in the context of rising global fuel prices, driven by ongoing conflicts worldwide.
The majority of electric cars in Rwanda come from South Korean automakers such as Kia and Hyundai, which have become known for offering affordable and stylish electric vehicles.
These brands are quickly gaining traction compared to traditional market leaders like Toyota. Among the most popular models in Rwanda are the Kia K5, Kia 7, and Hyundai Sonata, with prices ranging between 12 million and 15 million Rwandan francs. Most of these cars are secondhand, typically from 2012 to 2016.
Imported as used vehicles, they usually take about two months to arrive in the country, though before recent global disruptions, delivery could take as little as one month.
Other electric car options in Rwanda include models from Chinese manufacturers such as BYD, Dongfeng, and Nissan, as well as Toyota’s RAV4 hybrids. However, electric cars from German manufacturers like VW, Mercedes, and BMW are less common due to their higher price points.
The growth in electric vehicle imports has been dramatic. In 2020, Rwanda imported only 19 fully electric cars, with no hybrid models. By 2021, this number had increased to 38 electric vehicles and 28 hybrids.
In 2022, the figures rose to 134 electric cars and 520 hybrids, followed by a jump in 2023 to 103 electric vehicles and 2,386 hybrids. By 2024, imports had climbed to 218 electric cars and 3,726 hybrids. In total, since 2020, Rwanda has imported 512 electric cars and 7,172 hybrid vehicles.
Prior to 2020, electric car imports were minimal, with fewer than 10 per year. For example, only one electric car was imported in 2018, and 10 in 2019.
{{Government incentives drive growth}}
The Rwandan government’s elimination of Value Added Tax (VAT) on electric vehicles, replacement parts, batteries, and charging equipment has been a key driver of this growth.
In 2019, the tax exemption amounted to 26.7 million Rwandan francs, rising to 101.6 million in 2020, and reaching 498.7 million by 2021.
According to the Rwanda Revenue Authority’s 2022/23 report, the government forfeited a total of 4.6 billion Rwandan francs in tax revenue due to electric vehicle imports.
Globally, electric vehicles have been in production since 2008, spurred by concerns over rising oil prices and increasing emphasis on reducing air pollution.
The summit’s opening session took place at the historic Villers-Cotterêts castle in France on October 4. A closed-door meeting of Heads of State is scheduled for Saturday, October 5.
The summit is being held under the theme, “Creating, Innovating, and Entrepreneurship in French.”
Earlier, on October 3, Foreign Ministers from Francophonie member states convened to discuss issues affecting member countries.
Topics of discussion included the ongoing war in Lebanon, which is currently engaged in conflict with Israel and security challenges in Haiti among others.
It was agreed that the next Francophonie Foreign Ministers’ meeting would be held in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2025, with Rwanda being the only nation that applied to host the event.
Several Heads of State who had initially confirmed their participation did not attend.
These included King Mohammed VI of Morocco, who was represented by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, and Tunisia’s President Kaïs Saïed, who was represented by Prime Minister Kamel Madouri.
Other included Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Congo’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso, Djibouti’s President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, Togo’s President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, Angola’s President João Lourenço, Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and Comoros’ President Azali Assoumani, who recently survived a knife attack.
Guinea’s President Mamadi Doumbouya also did not attend, despite Guinea recently being released from sanctions previously imposed by the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).
The International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) comprises 88 member states, united by the shared goal of promoting the French language.
