Jean Claude Twagirimana was arrested at his home in Gako Cell, Ruyaga Village, where he was operating an illegal distillery producing Kanyanga.
Chief Inspector of Police CIP Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, said that security personnel also seized 30 litres of Kanyanga, which he had already produced as well as drums and other equipment, which he was using to produce the illicit gin.
“Twagirimana was arrested at about 12:30 by the Police, Dasso and irondo personnel following reports that he was producing and selling Kanyanga at his home, where 30 litres of the psychotropic substances were also seized,” CIP Twajamahoro said.
He was handed over to RIB at Masaka station alongside the exhibits.
Kanyanga is classified as a simple drug with a sentence ranging between seven and ten years, and a fine of between Rwf5 million and Rwf10 million as stipulated under article 263 of law No. 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offenses and penalties in general.
Ituze Village will be developed on a plot of land located in Amahoro Village, Busanza Cell of Kanombe Sector in Kicukiro District.
The project was unveiled on 25th January 2023 during a ceremony held at Onomo Hotel. It brought together different officials, investors, bank executives and representatives from the real estate sector.
Established in 2020, Imara Properties is a joint venture between three Rwandans and three French nationals.
For the past three years, the company has overhauled Kigali’s settlements through various projects.
It has so far constructed modern housing units under “Isange Estate Rebero” completed in two phases. The first is comprised of 15 units while the second is comprised of 12 apartments and six villas for main residence or rental investment.
The CEO and Co-founder of Imara Properties, David Benazeraf has said that the third project is expected to meet housing demands for people seeking to own homes.
He disclosed that the company makes possible effort to contribute to urban settlements and meet clients’ needs despite existing large demand.
The units to be built under Ituze Village are relatively cheaper compared to the recently completed project in Rebero.
Benazeraf explained that housing prices might vary depending on numerous reasons including the value of plots of land and hiked cost of construction materials.
He revealed that the new prices will be ranging from Rwf59 million to Rwf90 million even though they might increase in some instances.
Benazeraf also said that more projects to build houses aligning with Kigali City Master Plan are under consideration.
{{Eco-friendly buildings}}
Architect Shyaka Hyppolyte who produced the design of Ituze Village has told IGIHE environmental preservation aspects will be considered during construction.
The housing units will be constructed using environment friendly bricks among other construction materials.
The first phase to build 50 housing units in Ituze Village will begin in March 2023.
The village will feature storey buildings with two or three floors that can be paid in installments. They are expected to be completed early 2024. The houses will have four rooms, three bathrooms, a kitchen and parking.
Individuals seeking to buy plots of land to build houses on their own have been also thought of in this project. Prices of the plots of land on the parcel between 300 and 419 square meters range from Rwf18 million to Rwf25 million.
Ituze Village is located in one of Kigali’s fast developing areas. Reaching the village from Kigali Convention Center is 20-minute drive.
It has a space dedicated for playgrounds including a basketball court, children’s recreational facilities, shops and food stores among others.
{{Contribution to urban settlements}}
[Imara Properties->www.imara-properties.com] has played a critical role in the execution of two mega projects to revamp urban settlements in Kigali City. These include Isange Estate Rebero.
The project was completed in two phases where the first one comprised of 15 housing units was officially inaugurated on 29th July 2022.
Construction of the second phase comprised of six villas and 12 apartments began in September 2022 where all houses have been already sold out except few apartments. They are expected to be handed over to rightful owners in November 2023.
Rwanda, especially the capital city, is in dire need of new and urban residential apartments to accommodate its rapidly growing population, which is expected to hit 22 million in 2050.
This stresses the need to draw attention to the country’s small land area and develop affordable homes to attract the growing middle class residents.
Starting from the current urbanisation rate of 18%, Rwanda’s Vision 2050 is targeting a 70% urbanisation rate by 2050.
Rwanda plans to build at least 150,000 new residential houses annually to cope with the growing population and hit the target of 5.5 million by 2050.
To this end, it has designated 1,100 hectares across the country including 890 in Kigali for affordable housing units.
Kigali City needs 859,000 houses to cater for the demand of 3.8 million dwellers in 2050.
So far, 1692 houses have been constructed under six projects in Kigali and secondary cities while others to provide 9000 houses are underway.
As a reflection of this promise, the company has kicked off the new year with an exciting campaign ‘Izihirwe na MTN’, where over the next ten weeks, customers will be rewarded simply for staying on the network, topping up with airtime through any of the available channels including Mobile Money, and purchasing voice and/ or data bundles.
Throughout the duration of the campaign, MTN will be giving out a total of Rwf100 million to over 700,000 MTN customers through daily, weekly and monthly cash prizes. In addition to the cash prizes, MTN customers will stand chance to win free airtime and data.
Customers can opt in to join the campaign for free by dialing *456*25# or sending an SMS to 2325 where qualifying winners will receive the cash prize through their Mobile Money wallet.
Reflecting on the Tubitayeho promise, MTN Chief Executive Officer, Mapula Modibe said: ” We want to take this opportunity to thank all our customers, colleagues, partners, suppliers and distributors for their support and loyalty over the years as we have worked to deliver on our purpose of driving digital and financial inclusion and not leaving anyone behind.
“‘Izihirwe na MTN’ comes at a time when many are grappling with the devastating social and economic impact of Covid-19 including inflation, loss of livelihoods and other evolving global economic challenges. Our aim with this campaign is to bring excitement to the market and financial relief to the lucky winners as a way of letting them know – tubitayeho!”
MTN strongly believes everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life and by increasing access and usage of data and digital services, MTN will continue leading in delivering digital solutions for Rwanda’s progress,” concluded Modibe.
{{About MTN Rwandacell }}
MTN Rwandacell Plc (MTN Rwanda) is the market leader in mobile telecommunications in Rwanda. Since 1998, it has continuously invested in expanding and modernizing its network and leading digital solutions for Rwanda’s progress.
The telecom offers various services to subscribers, including innovative propositions such as personalized voice and data offers for individuals and corporates with a clear vision to lead the delivery of a bold and new digital world to customers.
Dr. Biruta made the disclosure on Thursday 26th January 2023 as he briefed parliamentarians on tensions between Rwanda and DRC.
As he interacted with the youth in Kinshasa on Sunday 4th December 2022, Congolese President Tshisekedi said that the situation allows his country to work with people harbouring intentions to overthrow Rwanda’s leadership for DRC for achieve peace.
Parliamentarians reminisced on the utterances deemed as provocations and what Rwanda plans to do in case Tshisekedi backs the attacks.
Minister Biruta said that the utterances reflect what Rwanda has been pointing out that Congolese government wants to destabilize its security through armed groups like the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).FDLR is a terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“These statements prove their intentions and confirm the collaboration between FARDC and FDLR. Perhaps, they exist and are on purpose but they will fail,” he said.
“By making the statement, he confirmed the collaboration of his government with armed groups formed by Rwandans including FDLR. I don’t know other proofs needed by the international community to tell DR Congo government what to do,” added Dr. Biruta.
He disclosed that Rwanda is standby to defend territorial integrity against attacks noting that Congo will be dealt with the way it comes.
“They have been disclosing intentions to revenge until they reach Kigali. […] If that happens, they will be dealt with the way they come,” he said.
Rwanda and DRC have been experiencing soured relations following the resumption of fighting between M23 and Congolese Army towards the end of 2021.
Congo accuses Rwanda of backing the rebel group, a claim which Rwanda repeatedly refuted and blames the neighbouring country of working with FDLR.
He was briefing parliamentarians on the state of relations with regional countries on Thursday 26th January 2023.
The fighting between FARDC and M23 resumed towards the end of 2021, nearly ten years after its defeat that saw some combatants fleeing to Rwanda while others fled to Uganda.
Despite the fact that combatants that resumed fighting were from the group that fled to Uganda, DR Congo continues to accuse Rwanda of supporting M23 in confrontations with FARDC.
The stubbornness to draw attention on the root cause of insecurity, has seen DRC sounding alarms several times demanding the international community to impose sanctions on Rwanda and excluded M23 from negotiations as recommended by regional processes to restore calm in the country.
As he addressed parliamentarians, Minister Biruta said that Congo has been overlooking the root cause of the problem and dragged Rwanda into its mess to dodge processes that would put an end to this issue.
Dr. Biruta asserted that the problem of Rwandophones takes roots shortly before colonization era when some parts of Rwanda were annexed to neighbouring countries.
“There are former territories of Rwanda that are currently annexed to DRC. This was resolved during a conference held in Brussels in Belgium on 2nd February 1910. It brought together Germany which colonized Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania; Belgium which colonized Congo and the United Kingdom which colonized Uganda and Kenya,” he said.
“The resolutions went into effect on 14th May 1910 where every colonist started controlling designated areas. They made the repartition in their own reasoning but their decision resulted in the presence of some Rwandans in Congo and others in Uganda,” added Dr. Biruta.
During colonization era, Belgium took some Rwandans to Congo for hard labour in farmlands and excavation of minerals.
During the violence between 1959 and 1973, Dr. Biruta disclosed, more Rwandans fled to Congo ‘but the majority repatriated after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was stopped’.
After Congo obtained Independence, Minister Biruta said that Kinyarwanda-speaking communities experienced prolonged unrest where the country used them for political interests.
He explained that they were sometimes accepted as Congolese citizens or called foreigners.
Dr. Biruta told parliamentarians that the situation worsened after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was stopped, when Interahamwe and soldiers of the former Rwandan army (EX-FAR) at the regime of President Habyarimana fled with their arms to Congo (former Zaire).
“Between 1994 and 1995, members of EX-FAR and Interahamwe resumed military activities and intensified training that refugee camps were turned into military bases […] It is important to recall attacks carried out by Interahamwe in early 1996. At the time, the commander of the defeated army, General Augustin Bizimungu established a stronghold in Rutshuru territory where he started exterminating Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese from Tutsi ethnicity owing to harbored genocide ideology,” he said.
From 1996, Rwanda started receiving the first batch of refugees from Kinyarwanda-speaking communities in DRC who are still accommodated in the country over the neighbouring country’s reluctance to repatriate them.
Dr. Biruta said that this situation sparked the creation of armed groups to defend the rights of Rwandophones including RDC Goma which birthed CNDP that later became M23.
“Those who were being killed and persecuted, formed groups to protect themselves realizing that the government had abandoned them,” he said.
Members of EX-FAR and Interahamwe formed ALIR which changed names at different times to FDLR. However, it was also split into different groups including RUD Urunana and FLN among others. […] On 23rd March 2009, there were agreements to integrate CNDP combatants into FARDC and recognize CNDP as a legitimate political party in Congo.
“At the time, Congolese government acceded to the concerns of CNDP including the repatriation of people forced to flee by FDLR and other armed groups but did implement the agreements. It failed to repatriate refugees but continued to support FDLR, which continued to fuel killings,” he noted.
As M23 resumed fighting in 2021, Congolese government started accusing Rwanda and demanded the international community to impose sanctions against Rwanda.
Dr. Biruta has explained that such behaviors are meant to divert attention from the root cause of the problem.
“DRC has continuously raised accusations that combatants attack from Rwanda and tend to push them to Rwanda during their fighting with intentions to draw Rwanda into the war. They wanted to drag Rwanda into the war because FARDC fights along with FDLR, supplies them with weapons, ammunition and the situation still stands,” he disclosed.
Dr. Biruta expressed concern over DRC’s behaviors to overlook the issue of Rwandophones, and blaming Rwanda for its mess which the international community digests as it is.
“They say that they attacked from Rwanda yet it is apparent that those who fled to Rwanda are still in the country. That is how relations started deteriorating until the current situation,” he stated.
Minister Biruta stressed the need to address the problem from root causes and consider the reason why M23 is fighting. He added that finding a solution has to go hand in hand with the protection of Rwandophones’ rights.
Dr. Biruta made the disclosure on Thursday 26th January 2023 as he briefed parliamentarians on the state of relations with regional countries.
Rwanda’s relations with Burundi deteriorated since 2015 after a failed coup plot in the country that saw Burundians fleeing to Rwanda.
Eight years later, the relations are good and were reinforced through different meetings bringing together officials from both countries to take them to a positive trajectory.
“The relations were gradually mended, we exchange visits and I personally led Rwanda’s delegation during the Independence Anniversary celebrated last year,” he said.
“There were different meetings bringing together provincial governors and the border was reopened […] These developments constitute signs indicating that relations have been improving. Relations with Burundi soured for quite some time but we are getting back on track and we are optimistic that pending issues can be discussed to find a solution,” added Dr. Biruta.
For Uganda, Minister Biruta said that relations are at a commendable step where the 15th Joint Permanent Commission between Uganda and Rwanda is scheduled in March 2023.
On relations with Tanzania, Minister Biruta highlighted that both countries’ relations are vibrant where the implementation of signed cooperation agreements is ongoing.
He disclosed that relations with other regional countries including Kenya, South Sudan are also good.
On tensions between Rwanda and DRC, Minister Biruta shed light on circumstances that led to the current situation.
He said that the situation started worsening towards the end of 2021 when the fighting erupted between Congolese Army (FARDC) and the M23 rebel group.
DRC accuses Rwanda of backing M23, a claim which the latter has repeatedly rejected.
The partnership was formalized on Thursday, January 26, at the RNP General Headquarters at Kacyiru between the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza and Marcello Fantoni, Kent State University Vice President for Global Education.
The RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, said that the agreement establishes “cooperative relations” between the two institutions for mutual benefits.
“It lays out partnership mainly to develop academic and cultural interchange through mutual assistance in areas of education and research; development of programmes and academic exchange,” CP Kabera said.
The donation, which covers medical insurance premiums for 226 family members, was officially handed over by the Commandant of the CTTC, Commissioner of Police (CP) Emmanuel Butera, to the mayor of Bugesera, Richard Mutabazi.
The donation is a financial contribution by Police officers operating at the CTTC, including those on training.
It is part of the Rwanda National Police (RNP) human security and community development activities.
Mayor Mutabazi thanked the RNP for its community development projects and including ensuring the health of the people.
“The health and wellbeing of the people is an important security factor, and we thank our Police for these community development projects. This defines a community-centred policing and valuing lives of the people,” Mutabazi said.
He urged Mayange residents to strengthen their partnership with security organs, to be eyes and ears of security but also desisting from any unlawful acts.
CP Butera thanked the residents for their partnership in policing to fight and prevent crimes.
“Your policing activities like irondo (night patrols), reporting suspected criminals and their criminal activities, all contribute to fighting and preventing crimes, and further improving the overall security,” CP Butera said.
He further commended the role of grassroots leaders for driving community policing activities in their localities.
Spéciose Ahobantegeye, one of the beneficiaries said that having a health insurance makes her family more secure.
“We sleep well at night feeling secure and now we have medical insurance. We thank our Police and leadership for thinking about us,” said Ahobantegeye
During the Police Month in December last year, the RNP lit 278 households in Bugesera District with solar energy, constructed an Early Child Development (ECD) centre and two houses for the vulnerable families.
This week alone, four people have been arrested at Remera Automobile Inspection Centre (AIC) in Gasabo District and at the Mobile Test Lane in Gikondo, Kicukiro District as they tried to cheat the fuel emission test.
All of them had removed air filters from their vehicles so as to beat the gas emission test, having failed a number of previous inspections.
Some of them have also attempted to bribe Police technicians at the inspection centres, leading to their arrest for attempted bribery.
One of them identified as Jean Pierre Ukurikiyimfura, was arrested Thursday, January 26, at Remera AIC after Police, during the inspection, found that he had removed the air filter. The filter was recovered under the car seat.
His vehicle, registration number RAB 916N, Toyota RAV4 type, was also impounded.
“This is a new trend and owners of vehicles or driver should stand warned that any time such acts are detected, they will be arrested and the vehicle impounded,” CP John Bosco Kabera, the Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, cautioned.
“If any mechanical fault is detected, fix it, bring you vehicle back for further roadworthy inspection, but any malpractices along the process will only lead to your arrest,” he added.
Motor vehicle emissions are composed of by-products that exit from exhaust systems or other emissions such as gasoline evaporation – and they contribute to air pollution that has negative consequences on people’s health.
Meanwhile, CP Kabera also warned against using a driver’s license contrary to the intended vehicle category.
The warning also follows a number of cases in which people have been arrested especially driving trailers or trucks without the category.
One of them is Jean Pierre Ukurikiyimfura, holding category B driving license, who was arrested on Thursday, January 26, at Remera AIC, driving a trailer.
Trailers are driven by those holding category E driving license.
“This practice of driving vehicles without the required category is also becoming common. At least three cases are registered at automobile inspection centres everyday.
Driver’s licenses have classes that authorize one to ride a motorcycle or allow one to drive a certain class of vehicle. Valid driver’s license should be used for the intended class or category,” said CP Kabera.
“The tombs are built on a 50 meter by 70 meter area that includes 30 burial wells,” it said.
A 10-ton pink granite coffin for a minister of king Sobekhotep II, from the 13th dynasty of the second intermediate period, was found in one of the wells.
Funeral drawings that are decorated with images of another official presenting sacrifices for the same king were found in the site.
The mission also unearthed a building made of mud bricks that were used for presenting sacrifices. The building housed a group of statues that carried hieroglyphic symbols, a large number of amulets, and hundreds of funeral stamps.
