The wines and spirits worth Rwf21 million, were recovered in a house located in Kinyinya Sector, Kagugu Cell in Kabuhunde Village.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson for the City of KigalI, said that two people have been arrested in connection with the act. They include a taxi-moto operator, who was the first to be arrested at Gisimenti transporting 10 bottles of liquor, and another man, who was found at the house where other 295 bottles were recovered.
The impounded liquor and wine brands include 140 bottles of Camino, 27 bottles of Amarura, Hennessy (16), 13 bottles of Captain Mogan, Veuve Cliequot (34), Moet (22), Chivas (10), Tequila Patrol (10), and five bottles of Jameson.
Others include Bombey (02), Cointreau (04), Double black (04), Jack Daniel (03), Black Label (03), Baileys (04), Drambuier (01), Hendrick (03), Remy Martin (06), and Courvoisier (02).
“There was information about a taxi-moto operator, who was supplying smuggled wines and liquors in Kigali. He was on Tuesday intercepted at Gisimenti transporting 10 bottles of liquor, and disclosed his accomplice,” SP Twajamahoro said.
According to the suspect, who was arrested at the store, the wines and liquors belong to a woman, whom he did not disclose.
He revealed that the woman smuggles them into Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo before sneaking them to Kigali using a Carina vehicle.
According to him, the said woman was paying him Rwf150, 000 monthly to distribute the wines and liquors to her clients in Kigali.
He had also hired two taxi-moto operators to supply the goods.
“Police are still searching for the alleged owner of smuggled wines and spirits along with the second taxi motor operator,” SP Twajamahoro said.
He thanked members of the public, who shared information on smuggling and fraud.
Article 87 of the law on tax procedures, provides an imprisonment for a term of not less than two years and not more than five years, for tax evasion.
Rwanda started the deployment of 1000 troops of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and the Rwanda National Police (RNP) to Mozambique on 9th July 2021, to fight terrorist groups, honoring the request of Mozambique. The troops had increased to nearly 2500 by the end of the year 2022.
The situation in the country had worsened since October 2017 when armed extremists launched an insurgency in the Cabo Delgado Province of Mozambique.
Mozambique Defence Armed Forces battled the extremists but many civilians were killed and displaced by the fighting.
Before Rwandan troops’ intervention, terrorists had killed 3000 civilians while more than 800,000 were displaced. The insecurity had also put to halt all development projects in the area controlled by insurgents.
The joint operations between Rwandan and Mozambican troops yielded big, where different regions were seized from rebels.
Responding to a question on Rwanda’s journey in the fight against terrorists in Mozambique, at a joint press conference with his counterpart of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema in Kigali, President Kagame said that there has been commendable progress.
“I should say, largely, the problem has been addressed in terms of large numbers of people that had been displaced being able to go back to their villages, homes and starting their activities as they should. There has been a presence of troops from SADC deployed in different parts of that area and together, security and stability has returned because of that,” he stated.
Rwandan troops are deployed in Palma and Mocimboa da Praia and sometimes cooperate with SADC forces upon available intelligence to dislodge terrorists’.
Since deployment of Rwandan troops in Cabo Delgado, security has been restored where the majority of displaced residents returned home.
Besides, businesses resumed and French company, TotalEnergies with US$20 billion investment that might be increased to US$50 billion under the Liquefied Natural Gas project, is expected to resume operations as well.
Speaking to the media, Kagame highlighted that economic activities are beginning to pick up owing to current efforts to stabilize the area.
“I have heard even those who were making investments there like Total [Energies] and others, are already thinking of resuming their activities. Of course, there may be one thing here and another there that needs to be put out of their way before they fully resume, but I think that is being enabled by such collaborative efforts, around the provision of security and working together with the host country. And each one playing their part, together, we are seeing a lot of progress,” he noted.
“I should say, 80% of the problem has been addressed. The 20% might be small or big depending on a number of circumstances but that needs to be cleared as well,” added Kagame.
Hichilema arrived in Rwanda on Tuesday 20th June 2023 for a two-day visit. On the first day, he joined Kagame for closed-door discussions and was later hosted to a state banquet in the evening.
President Kagame extended a warm welcome to Hichilema and his delegation and reminisced on memories of his visit to Zambia between 4th and 5th April 2022.
On the second day of the visit last year, Kagame visited Zambia’s finest tourist attractions including Musi-O-Tunya (smoke that thunders) at Victoria Falls and Mukuni Big 5 Safaris, a private nature reserve where tourists can walk with lions and cheetahs.
The Head of State along with his counterpart of Zambia, Hichilema Hakainde visited the private nature park where he was seen touching a cheetah.
Speaking at the state banquet, Kagame revealed that the visit left indelible memories.
“My trip to Livingstone last year was memorable. I will certainly not forget my encounter with a friendly cheetah. We remain thankful for the gracious hospitality we received while there,” he noted.
The Head of State said that the visit of Hichilema to Rwanda is a testament to the friendship between the people of Rwanda and Zambia as well as proof of the willingness to continue learning from one another in a shared journey toward sustainable development.
“With a direct flight to Lusaka almost everyday of the week, Rwandans and Zambians now have more opportunities than ever to visit frequently and do more business together,” he underscored.
Kagame congratulated Hichilema for having taken office as the chairperson of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) noting that Rwanda looks forward to working with him together to increase and improve trade in the region and contribute to the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA).
He also pointed out that President Hichilema’s participation in the Inclusive FinTech Forum later on Wednesday demonstrates his commitment to accelerate financial inclusion on the continent.
“In the midst of overlapping crises, deepening a corroboration only serves to increase our gains and bring us more hope for the future. In that spirit allow me to offer a toast to the good health of his Excellency and the friendship between the people of Rwanda and Zambia,” said Kagame.
On his part, President Hichilema expressed his gratitude for President Kagame’s visit to Zambia, during which the two countries discussed collaboration in various areas. He noted the positive outcomes already visible, such as increased public revenue collection and the digitization of services.
During his remarks, Hichilema commended President Kagame for encountering the friendly cheetah and making a promise to promote the iconic Victoria Falls to the world. He noted that since President Kagame’s visit, tourism numbers in the area had significantly increased.
“I want to confirm, President Kagame, that since your visit to Livingstone, the occupancy rates in the lodges and hotels around the area have gone up. This is not a joke because I have knowledge of what was obtained there and what is obtained now,” President Hichilema stated, expressing his gratitude to President Kagame for his efforts in marketing the destination.
President Hichilema stressed the importance of utilizing available resources effectively, rather than reinventing the wheel. He cited Rwanda’s success in digitizing services, which inspired Zambia to improve its own systems.
The Zambian President emphasized the need for collaboration in the agricultural sector and expressed his commitment to supporting Rwanda’s food requirements. He highlighted Zambia’s favorable hydrological conditions and its potential to contribute significantly to Rwanda’s food needs.
President Hichilema also acknowledged the need to harness technology, capital, land, and water resources available on the continent to produce enough food, enhance value addition, and create employment opportunities for the youth. He emphasized the importance of stability and security, as they form the foundation for development, trade, and job creation.
Hichilema concluded by stating that pooling resources and working together would deliver tangible results for the people of Africa. He stressed the significance of intra-African trade and exports abroad, as well as the need to address the issue of food insecurity on the continent.
Hichilema began his visit on Tuesday 20th June 2023.
Visiting Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn from the country’s dark history that led to Genocide against the Tutsi which took lives of over 1 million victims, is part of his itinerary in Rwanda.
On his visit to the memorial, Hichilema was accompanied by top government officials. He is in Rwanda to attend the Inclusive Fintech Forum held in Kigali.
Hichilema was received by President Paul Kagame on Tuesday afternoon for a tête-à-tête, discussing the strong bilateral framework of cooperation between Rwanda and Zambia.
On the same day, Kagame hosted his counterpart of Zambia to a state banquet held at Kigali Serena Hotel.
Hichilema’s itinerary also includes visits to the innovative startup hub Norssken and tour the Africa Improved Foods (AIF) production facility at the Kigali Special Economic Zone (KSEZ).
The AIF production facility plays a crucial role in combatting malnutrition by locally producing highly nutritious foods in a scalable and sustainable manner.
On Wednesday, Hichilema and his delegation will engage in bilateral talks focused on enhancing the friendly are expected to address members of the press.
Zambian President, Hichilema began his two-day visit to Rwanda on Tuesday. As he arrived in Kigali, Hichilema was received by President Kagame at Urugwiro Village.
Both leaders also held a tête-à-tête, discussing the strong bilateral framework of cooperation between Rwanda and Zambia.
President Hichilema arrived in Kigali on Tuesday, the 20th, to attend the Inclusive Fintech Forum.
The world’s first-ever global FinTech forum held in Kigali, has attracted over 2500 attendees from across the globe.
The primary objective of the forum, organized in partnership with the KIFC and Elevandi, a notable non-profit established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, is to explore the potential and requirements for driving the digital economy. Furthermore, the forum aims to foster the implementation of sustainable Fintech strategies, with a strong focus on inclusivity.
Upon his arrival at Kigali International Airport, President Hichilema was warmly received by high-ranking Rwandan officials before proceeding to a meeting with President Kagame at Urugwiro Village.
On Wednesday 21st June, Hichilema is expected to visit Kigali Genocide Memorial to honour victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi laid to rest there.
President Hichilema’s itinerary includes visits to significant locations in Rwanda. He is scheduled to explore the innovative startup hub Norssken and tour the Africa Improved Foods (AIF) production facility at the Kigali Special Economic Zone (KSEZ).
The AIF production facility plays a crucial role in combatting malnutrition by locally producing highly nutritious foods in a scalable and sustainable manner.
On Wednesday, President Hichilema and his delegation will engage in bilateral talks focused on enhancing the friendly relations between Rwanda and Zambia. Following the talks, the two heads of state will address members of the press, shedding light on the outcomes of their discussions.
Both leaders are also expected to deliver keynote remarks during the Leaders Session of the Inclusive Fintech Forum.
This visit to Rwanda by Hichilema follows Kagame two-day state visit to Zambia in April 2022.
During that visit, the leaders witnessed the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding, emphasizing cooperation in areas such as mutual administrative assistance, immigration matters, health, and investment promotion. The agreements also encompassed collaboration in agriculture, fisheries and livestock development, as well as trade and investment cooperation.
Focusing on the theme of ‘Hope Away from Home, World Refugee Day this year showcases how refugees and other displaced populations have been included and able to rebuild their lives.
To mark the occasion, UNHCR in Rwanda held an event at Norrsken House in Kigali in collaboration with the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA). During the event, refugees from across Rwanda came together to share their stories of hope which they have gained through education, employment, entrepreneurship, and being included in their local communities.
In the presence of the Minister of MINEMA, ambassadors of donor countries, UN agencies, NGO organizations, the Rwandan public and refugee communities, the event held on 20th June 2023, brought together various sectors of Rwandan society to showcase the different opportunities refugees have been granted and have benefited from while in Rwanda.
As part of a collaboration between Rwandan and refugee artists, the event also featured an art exhibition highlighting both challenges and solutions that refugees have found in Rwanda.
“This World Refugee Day, we heard testimonies from refugees who are doctors, entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, and community representatives. From Kiziba refugee camp to Kigali, refugees across Rwanda are thriving. It is our role to ensure that such opportunities reach a wider selection of the refugee population and create increased hope for the future,” said UNHCR’s Representative in Rwanda, Mrs. Aissatou Ndiaye.
Speaking at the event, Minister of MINEMA, Marie Solange Kayisire, noted that the long-term aspiration of the Rwandan Government is to ensure that refugees living in the country are able to realize their productive potential as self-reliant members of the society, equipped to improve their livelihood and contribute to economic development of the country.
“We are doubling efforts to increase job prospects as well other economic opportunities to address unmet refugee needs, and continue to empower them to be self-reliant,” the Minister said.
Rwanda currently hosts over 132,000 refugees, asylum seekers and other displaced populations.
This includes over 7,600 new arrivals fleeing Eastern DRC since the beginning of the year. In Rwanda, refugees have access to national systems such as education, health, and can be employed on par with Rwandan nationals.
Despite these developments, challenges remain with 87 percent of refugees in Rwanda classified as highly vulnerable and dependent on humanitarian assistance.
Together with partners and the Government of Rwanda, UNHCR is dedicated to changing this situation and increasing the self-reliance of refugees through development programmes. With decreasing funding for the refugee response, World Refugee Day this year, comes at a critical time to renew commitments towards supporting refugees in Rwanda.
UNHCR in Rwanda continues to call for solidarity and responsibility sharing from the international community, not only for those UNHCR protects but also for Rwanda as a host country given the social and economic impact of hosting refugees.
The ATMIS said the Somali security forces took control of the Haji-Ali military base in Hirshabelle State, marking the official start of the drawdown of the 2,000 soldiers by June 30.
“The drawdown of 2,000 ATMIS troops by the end of June 2023 started today with the handover of Haji-Ali Forward Operating Base in the Hirshabelle State,” the ATMIS said in a brief statement.
The AU mission said Richard Binyenimana, the commander of the ATMIS military base manned by troops from the Burundi National Defense Force, handed the base over to Somali National Army commander Bashir Abukar Ahmed at a ceremony attended by senior officials from the ATMIS and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia.
The ATMIS is also expected to withdraw another 3,000 soldiers by September in compliance with the UN Security Council Resolutions 2628 and 2670, which mandate the ATMIS to hand over security responsibilities in agreed areas to Somali security forces.
Speaking at the 25th edition of the Africa energy forum underway in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, Al Jaber said the continent was ripe for a green energy revolution, subject to targeted financing combined with conducive policies.
“Clean energy investments in Africa should be intensified now that the continent is facing a climate crisis that is responsible for droughts, floods and destabilization of livelihoods,” said Al Jaber, who is also the minister for Industry and Advanced Technology in the United Arab Emirates.
As host of this year’s global climate talks, slated for Nov. 30 to Dec.12, Al Jaber said the UAE will lobby rich nations and multilateral lenders to honor their commitment to climate financing in Africa.
He acknowledged Africa’s vast renewable energy potential including solar, wind and geothermal, which can be harnessed to secure a climate-resilient and inclusive future for the continent.
In addition, Al Jaber said that smart policies and regulations, innovative financing and uptake of clean technologies will be key to decarbonizing the continent’s energy, agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
Africa’s entrepreneurial youth deserve financial support, training and market linkages to enable them to scale up green innovations that are key to poverty alleviation and enhancing the ecosystem’s health, Al Jaber said.
Kenya is hosting the 25th edition of the Africa energy forum attended by more than 3,000 delegates including ministers, investors, regulators, lenders and innovators to explore a new roadmap for realizing energy security in the continent.
Al Jaber said the premier gathering of energy sector players in the continent provides a platform to showcase the untapped potential of green energy to institutional investors. He said that focused leadership, partnerships, policy and legislative reforms will be key to unlocking financing toward green energy projects in Africa and help meet the Paris climate goal of limiting temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Al Jaber added that investing in Africa’s nascent carbon market will be key to transitioning the continent’s economies towards a greener, equitable and resilient future.
The trio was taken into custody at about 05:00 a.m. when the police and local leaders recovered assorted stolen electronics from a house, which they were renting in Nyarusange Village, Remera Cell of Rukoma Sector.
The recovered electronics include three flat-screen televisions, two computers and their accessories, a radio set, two sound speakers and several forged keys that they used in robberies.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Emmanuel Habiyaremye, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that the suspects had turned the house into store for stolen valuables.
“The three suspects were arrested in a Police operation launched based on information that was shared by the District Police Unit of Bugesera, where they hail from, that they were engaged in burglaries and snatching people’s belonging, before relocating to Kamonyi District, where they were hiding,” SP Habiyaremye said.
Police, he added, first arrested two of the suspects, with two stolen TV sets, two computers and a radio set. They disclosed their accomplice, who was also taken into custody shortly after with the third flat screen.
The suspects told the Police that they were stealing the electronics from different houses in Kigali and Bugesera using the same forged keys they were found with, before transporting them to the same house in Kamonyi District and looking for buyers.
The suspects and exhibits were handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB)–Gacurabwenge Station–for further investigation.
Article 166 of Law Nº 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offences and penalties in general, stipulates that any person convicted of theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than two years and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf2 million, community service in a period of six months or only one of these penalties.
Article 167 of the same law says that; the penalty for theft doubles if: the offender committed the crime through burglary, climbing or possession of keys other than the owner; the theft is carried out in an occupied house or a building used for habitation or in its surroundings.
President Hichilema arrived in Kigali on Tuesday, the 20th, to attend the prestigious Inclusive Fintech Forum.
This event marks a momentous occasion, as Rwanda is hosting the world’s first-ever global FinTech forum, which has attracted over 2500 attendees from across the globe.
The primary objective of the forum, organized in partnership with the KIFC and Elevandi, a notable non-profit established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, is to explore the potential and requirements for driving the digital economy. Furthermore, the forum aims to foster the implementation of sustainable Fintech strategies, with a strong focus on inclusivity.
Upon his arrival at Kigali International Airport, President Hichilema was warmly received by high-ranking Rwandan officials before proceeding to a meeting with President Kagame at Urugwiro Village.
It is expected that President Kagame will be hosting President Hichilema for a State Banquet on Tuesday night. During his visit, President Hichilema will engage in a tête-à-tête with President Kagame and pay tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at the Kigali Genocide Memorial on Wednesday.
Additionally, President Hichilema’s itinerary includes visits to significant locations in Rwanda. He is scheduled to explore the innovative startup hub Norssken and tour the Africa Improved Foods (AIF) production facility at the Kigali Special Economic Zone (KSEZ). The AIF production facility plays a crucial role in combatting malnutrition by locally producing highly nutritious foods in a scalable and sustainable manner.
On Wednesday, President Hichilema and his delegation will engage in bilateral talks focused on enhancing the friendly relations between Rwanda and Zambia. Following the talks, the two heads of state will address members of the press, shedding light on the outcomes of their discussions.
Furthermore, both leaders are expected to deliver keynote remarks during the Leaders Session of the Inclusive Fintech Forum. Additionally, President Hichilema will participate in a Fireside Chat facilitated by Soraya Hakuziyaremye, the Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda.
This visit to Rwanda by President Hichilema follows President Kagame’s successful two-day state visit to Zambia in April 2022. During that visit, the leaders witnessed the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding, emphasizing cooperation in areas such as mutual administrative assistance, immigration matters, health, and investment promotion. The agreements also encompassed collaboration in agriculture, fisheries and livestock development, as well as trade and investment cooperation.
Overall, President Hichilema’s visit to Rwanda promises to strengthen the bonds between Zambia and Rwanda, fostering collaboration and opening avenues for mutual growth and development.
