Police asked the residents to report people, who destroy forests to sell trees and other individual activities.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Emmanuel Habiyaremye, the Police spokesperson for the southern region, said that there have been reports of people in Musha Sector, who fell trees in protected forests.
He added that some of those destroying forests have been arrested in separate operations.
“On Monday, February 20, one person was arrested in a forest located in Mujyejuru village, Bukinanyana cell of Musha Sector where he was cutting trees to sell and for firewood.
It was not the first the same person together with others, were mentioned in the same environmental crimes,” CIP Habiyaremye said.
The suspect was handed over to RIB at Save station.
He lauded residents, who protect the forests and report those who destroy them.
Article 44 of the law on environment, prohibits cutting trees in forests or protected areas like national parks or burning them.
Article 59 of the same legal instrument stipulates that any person, who causes death, destroys protected plants, harvests or damages them, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, the offender is liable to an imprisonment term of not less than three years and not more than five years and a fine of between Rwf1 million and Rwf3 million.
Speaking about the day, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said that Commonwealth Day is the annual celebration observed by people all over the Commonwealth in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe.
She highlighted that this year’s theme signifies the active commitment of member states to collaborate on climate action, support the development of free and democratic societies, and the promotion of peace and prosperity to improve the lives of all Commonwealth citizens.
“And during this Commonwealth Year of Youth, it focuses our efforts on building a better future for the 1.5 billion Commonwealth citizens under the age of 30,” noted Scotland.
This year, Commonwealth Day will take place on Monday 13 March, and will be the start of a series of events and activities to take place across the world during the week, including faith and civic gatherings, debates, school assemblies, flag-raising ceremonies and cultural events.
This year also sees Commonwealth member states supporting the Commonwealth of Nations Flag for Peace initiative which was launched last year in December.
Flags for Peace symbolise the shared values and principles of the Commonwealth and will be shared with every Commonwealth nation. Every city in the UK will also receive a flag that they can choose to raise following short ceremonies on Commonwealth Day. Some ceremonies will include a Commonwealth Proclamation to be read by Town Criers, accompanied by fanfares, pipers and cathedral or church bells later that evening.
In London, where the Commonwealth Secretariat headquarters are based, on 13 March there will be a multicultural, multi-faith service at Westminster Abbey drawing together testimonies, performances and readings from throughout the Commonwealth. The event will feature a procession of Commonwealth flags, with young flag bearers representing each of the 56 nations of the Commonwealth.
Commonwealth Day 2023 marks the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Commonwealth Charter, which was signed by late Queen Elizabeth II on 11 March 2013 and outlines the values and aspirations which unite the Commonwealth.
This will be the first Commonwealth Day since the queen’s passing, and the first presided over by King Charles III as King and Head of the Commonwealth.
Mulueberhane has taken the yellow jersey from British national, Briton Ethan Vernon who claimed the first two stages.
Meanwhile, Eric Muhoza emerged the best Rwandan as he crossed the finishing line in 14th place, in a group of riders who finished 11 seconds behind today’s stage winner.
The race will continue with the fourth stage on Wednesday 22nd February where cyclists will race for 138.3km from Musanze to Karongi District.
Kagame and Nyusi met in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia in the evening of Friday where the traveled to attend the African Union (AU) Summit.
Rwanda’s Presidency disclosed that both leaders two leaders discussed ongoing areas of bilateral cooperation including the partnership to restore security in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province, among others.
As he arrived in Maputo on Saturday, Nyusi told the media that while the Mozambican defence and security forces are seeking to build up greater capacity to fight terrorism, the Rwandan forces will remain in Cabo Delgado.
“One of the points we have been discussing is the sustainability of the Mozambican armed forces [FADM] and police”, added Nyusi.
This approach seeks to ensure, that when the Rwandans do leave, the Mozambican armed forces and police will be able to guarantee fully that they can meet the challenges posed in the defence and security sector.
While the Mozambicans’ own capacity is built up, the Rwandan troops will fight side-by-side with the FADM in the fight against terrorism and other threats to Mozambican sovereignty.
Kagame had pledged to continue supporting Mozambique “and we affirmed that we are going to step up the fight against terrorism”, declared Nyusi. “We shall step up the fight because terrorism is the main problem”.
Kagame’s pledge came after the European Union publicly guaranteed the first 20 million US dollars towards the end of last year in support for the Rwandan operations in Mozambique.
Meanwhile, according to a report in Monday’s issue of the independent newssheet “Mediafax”, four terrorists have been captured in the town of Mocimboa da Praia. It is said that the jihadists took the risk of slipping into the town because they were hungry.
They went to the houses of their mothers to ask for food. Their mothers did feed them – but also denounced their presence to the local authorities. According to media reports, Members of the Rwandan military contingent went to their homes and arrested the four men.
Rwanda started the deployment of 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.
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.
Rwanda and Mozambique have been enjoying vibrant relations for many years.
On Monday 12th September 2022, President Kagame and his counterpart of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi met in Kenya ahead of the inauguration of president, Dr. William Ruto.
Both leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the ongoing bilateral collaboration between Rwanda and Mozambique.
In February last year, Kagame received Nyusi with whom they discussed the good progress that has been made between Rwanda and Mozambique in the ongoing cooperation towards securing Cabo Delgado as well as other areas of bilateral collaboration.
Rwanda and Mozambique have cooperation agreements in different areas including security, trade and investment among others.
The one day event held at the RNP General Headquarters at Kacyiru was officially opened by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of Administration and Personnel, Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza.
It was held under the theme: “A World where children are at the heart of peace and security.”
It was also attended by Warren Kid, from the Dallaire Institute Global Affairs in Canada, and Francisca Mujawase, the Director at the Dallaire Institute for Peace and Security – African Center of Excellence.
DIGP Ujeneza said that the RNP and DI have maintained a long-standing collaboration and have a shared mission of preventing the recruitment and use of children as soldiers in armed conflicts as reflected in the memorandum of understanding signed between the two parties in 2019.
The roundtable discussions, she said, opens an opportunity to share unique experiences, the challenges they encountered in their mission, and successful strategies on protecting children during conflict, including preventing the recruitment and use of children in armed violence.
“Through the roundtable, the female officers will engage and debate on key topics. The goal is to generate new knowledge and lessons learned to inform the work of the Dallaire Institute and the RNP going forward,” DIGP Ujeneza said.
“As recognized by the United Nation Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, the Kigali Principles and the Vancouver principles; the Dallaire Institute and the RNP also share the same conviction of the relevant role of women in peacekeeping in general and in particular the protection of children against the modern scourge… their recruitment and use in armed conflicts,” she added.
The role of women police officers in the prevention, she said, becomes effective when they are equipped with knowledge and skills to better understand the fragile context that threaten the protection of children, in order to adopt effective prevention measures.
Lack of such skills, she noted, increases the vulnerabilities of children to recruitment.
The Dallaire Institute has supported training of 38, including 26 female officers, who were certified as trainers on the Dallaire Concept.
The certified trainers facilitate in training of Formed Police Units (FPUs) prior to their deployment to the UN mission.
The Training of Trainers courses and those extended to women officer in particular, the DIGP said, helps to make a difference in their daily duties, both home and beyond borders where they also become good ambassadors for children’s rights by spreading the message with their colleagues since the protection of children starts at home and has no limits.
“These training of Trainer courses for the RNP officers and for women in particular, helps to make a difference in their daily duties, bothat home and beyond borders where they become good ambassadors for children’s rights by spreading the message. Protection of children starts at home and has no limits,” DIGP Ujeneza reiterated.
He replaces Commissioner General Dan Munyuza who has held the duties since 2018.
The statement released by the Office of Prime Minister on Monday 20th February 2023, also reads that Commissioner of Police (CP) Vincent Sano has been appointed as Deputy Commissioner General of Police (DCGP) in charge of operations.
CP Sano has been serving as the Commissioner in charge of Finance prior to his new appointment.
Among others, Kagame named Col Celestin Kanyamahanga as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence replacing Maj Gen Emmanuel Bayingana.
The new Police Chief was appointed DCGP in charge of operations in 2018. He had previously served as the Commandant of National Police College.
Father Twagirayezu has told IGIHE that he got information on his promotion while on duty in Nyundo.
“I have also learnt about the appointment in a while. I welcomed the good news with faith and devotion for the church, thanked Pope and bishops for the trust bestowed upon me. I have a feeling of satisfaction for continuing to serve the church and all people,” he said.
Father Twagirayezu has disclosed that he was excited for the appointment highlighting that it will continue to cement the bond of brotherhood with Christians of this Diocese.
The post has been vacant for four years after the appointment of Cardinal Antoine Kambanda as the Archbishop of Kigali. He however continued to serve as the Apostolic Administrator of Kibungo Diocese.
Father Twagirayezu was born in Crête Congo-Nil Parish in Rutsiro District. He was ordained priest on 8th October 1995.
The race saw riders setting off from Kigali Car Free Zone to cross the finishing line in Gisagara District.
As it happened during the first stage in Rwamagana, Vernon made a break away from the peloton again shortly before arriving at the finishing line nearby Gisagara gymnasium.
He was followed by other riders including Henok Mulueberhan of Green Project Bardiani and Meijers Jeroen of Terengganu Cycling Polygon.
All riders between the 1st and 46th have clocked the same time as they crossed the finish in the same peloton.
Chris Froome, four-time champion of Tour de France emerged the 47th to cross the finishing line. He is 7 seconds behind the peloton.
Eric Muhoza riding for Bike Aid is the best performing Rwandan after becoming the 28th rider to cross the line while Samuel Niyonkuru of Team Rwanda emerged 30th. Eric Manizabayo arrived at the 34th place.
Tour du Rwanda 2023 will continue with the third stage on Tuesday 21st February where riders will cover 199.5 kilometers from Huye to Musanze.
The ceremony to bid farewell to Rwigamba who succumbed to natural cause last week was also held on Sunday before the casket carrying his body was taken to Rusororo cemetery for burial.
It was attended by relatives, friends, parliamentarians, senators and other top government officials.
Senator John Bonds Bideri is among mourners who eulogized late Fidel Rwigamba.
He said that Rwigamba was characterized by dedication and had a strong sense of responsibility which helped him to discharge his duties diligently.
The Minister in the Office of the President, Judith Uwizeye represented President Kagame during the Lying-in-State ceremony and relayed his message.
“The President of the Republic and his family learnt about the sad news that Parliamentarian Fidel Rwigamba passed away. They are saddened by his demise and stand in solidarity with his children as well as the entire family during this time of great sorrow,” reads the message.
Uwizeye also said that President Kagame and his family wish children and the bereaved family to remain strong during this time of grief.
The Speaker of Parliament, Donatille Mukabalisa said that Rwigamba will be remembered for his good legacy of outstanding courage, teamwork as well as the values of humility and integrity.
“He leaves a huge gap but will be cherished for his good legacy. We will always remember him for his good deeds for the nation,” she said.
MP Fidel Rwigamba breathed the last at the age of 73 on 15th February 2023 after days of illness.
Rwigamba served as a parliamentarian since 2013. He was a clerk in the Chamber of Rwanda’s Senate from 2009 prior to the appointment.
He also held other positions as the State Minister in the Ministry of Public Service and Labour (MIFOTRA) in 2003 and Director in charge of coordination of governmental Actions in the Prime Minister’s Office in 2001.
The Minister of Sports, Aurore Mimosa Munyagaju, Mayor of City of Kigali, Pudence Rubingisa, RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, FERWACY president, Abdallah Murenzi and Chief Tourism Officer at Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Michaella Rugwizangoga as well as riders came together to hold Gerayo Amahoro placards, prior to the start of the continental race, to send a message of responsive road usage.
The all-out continuous campaign, which resumed in December last year, seeks to drive change from road safety by law to road safety by choice and ultimately by culture.
