The Secretary General of National Intelligence and Security Services of Rwanda, Maj Gen Joseph Nzabamwita also accompanied the delegation on the visit held on Tuesday 5th July 2022.
Both delegations held bilateral talks to further deepen the existing Defence and Security relations.
Speaking after the visit, Maj Gen (Rtd) Amanfo said that their discussions focused on strengthening the Security and Intelligence relationship between the two countries.
Among others, Vice Admiral Seth Amoama and his delegation paid respect to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at the Kigali Genocide Memorial and visited the Campaign Against Genocide Museum.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, identified the suspected smugglers as Cyprien Bahire, 31, Emmanuel Ngabonzima, 31, Emmanuel Ndungutse, 32, Aminadab Iradukunda, 26, and Placide Uwiduhaye, 21.
They were arrested separately in Kigina and Nyamigari sectors, he added.
“Police, acting on a tip-off from residents, first arrested Iradukunda and Ndungutse in Kanogo village, Gatarama cell of Kigina sector, with two bales but they disclosed Bahire as the rightful owner. Bahire was also arrested,” SP Twizeyimana said.
Other bales were recovered from Ngabonziza and Uwiduhaye in Nyamigari.
SP Twizeyimana commended the role of communities living along the borderlines in fighting cross-border crimes such as smuggling and drug trafficking.
The suspects were handed over to RIB at Nyamugari station for further investigations.
In article 199 of the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, smuggled goods and automobile used in smuggling, are auctioned.
{{Tax fraud}}
A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is also subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax and a likely imprisonment of between six months and two years
These include Pyramid Eye Center which has introduced advanced eye care services in Rwanda to help people to get rid of glasses.
Located in Kicukiro District of Kigali City, the facility conducts cornea transplant to treat some of the eye problems, hence helping people to continue their work without disruptions.
We have caught up with Ophthalmologists at Pyramid Eye Center who shed light on cornea conditions, cornea transplant and related conditions that can be treated among others.
{{Cornea transplant}}
A cornea transplant (keratoplasty) is a surgical procedure to replace part of your cornea with corneal tissue from a donor. A cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped surface of one’s eye. It’s where light enters your eye and is a large part of your eye’s ability to see clearly.
A cornea transplant can restore vision, reduce pain, and improve the appearance of a damaged or diseased cornea.
Also, most cornea transplant procedures are successful but carries a small risk of complications, such as rejection of the donor cornea.
{{Why it’s done}}
A cornea transplant is most often used to restore vision to a person with a damaged cornea. A cornea transplant can also relieve pain or other signs and symptoms associated with cornea diseases.
{{Below are a number of conditions that can be treated with a cornea transplant: }}
-* A cornea that bulges outward (keratoconus)
-* Fuchs’ dystrophy, a hereditary condition
-* Thinning or tearing of the cornea
-* Cornea scarring, caused by infection or injury
-* Swelling of the cornea
-* Corneal ulcers not responding to medical treatment
-* Complications caused by previous eye surgery
{{Keratoconus}}
Keratoconus (ker-uh-toe-KOH-nus) occurs when your cornea — the clear, dome-shaped front surface of your eye — thins and gradually bulges outward into a cone shape.
A cone-shaped cornea causes blurred vision and may cause sensitivity to light and glare. Keratoconus usually affects both eyes, though it often affects one eye more than the other. It generally begins to affect people between the ages of 10 and 25. The condition may progress slowly for 10 years or longer.
In the early stages of keratoconus, you might be able to correct vision problems with glasses or soft contact lenses. Later, you may have to be fitted with rigid, gas permeable contact lenses or other types of lenses, such as scleral lenses. If your condition progresses to an advanced stage, you may need a cornea transplant.
A new treatment called corneal collagen cross-linking may help to slow or stop keratoconus from progressing, possibly preventing the need for a future cornea transplant. This treatment may be offered in addition to the vision correction options above.
{{Symptoms}}
Signs and symptoms of keratoconus may change as the disease progresses.
{{They include:}}
-* Blurred or distorted vision
-* Increased sensitivity to bright light and glare, which can cause problems with night driving
-* A need for frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions
-* Sudden worsening or clouding of vision
{{When to see a doctor}}
See your eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist) if your eyesight is worsening rapidly, which might be caused by an irregular curvature of the eye (astigmatism).
He or she may also look for signs of keratoconus during routine eye exams.
Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Mozambique, Amb. Claude Nikobisanzwe has revealed that the flights to be operated by RwandAir are expected to stimulate an increase in the volume of business between the two countries which have recently strengthened cooperation in the political and commercial areas.
The flights are expected to commence in the first week of August.
Currently, Mozambicans travelling to Rwanda are not required to present a visa while Rwandans are necessitated to do so.
According to Club of Mozambique, the envoy has said that Rwanda would also like to see entry into Mozambique for its citizens eased, particularly as Mozambicans do not need a visa to enter Rwanda.
“I would like to say that our Rwandan airline will start direct flights from Maputo to Kigali, which will boost the movement of people and goods and stimulate trade. In principle, it will be in the first week of August. Mozambicans who have a normal passport can travel without needing a visa. We are in discussions with our counterpart, to see if we cannot have the same facility for Rwandans,” Amb. Nikobisanzwe explained.
Rwanda and Mozambique have cooperation in different areas particularly in defence matters where Rwanda sent troops to fight terrorists in the country’s Cabo Delgado Province.
Both parties are undergoing discussions for the possibility to exchange goods through the port of Nacala.
“We believe that the port of Nacala, with its deep waters, can help in this cooperation. We believe that trade between African countries can generate employment for African peoples, particularly Mozambicans, and contribute to all countries’ economies,” said Amb. Nikobisanzwe.
Recently, a delegation of 120 Rwandan entrepreneurs attended the Mozambique-Rwanda Business Forum to tap investment opportunities in the country.
Under existing relations, Mozambique currently exports sugar, ores and other mining products to Rwanda, but both parties want to see an increase in exports.
Lt Col Mbonimpa and Major Kalisa serve in the Air Force and Special Force regiments respectively.
The graduation ceremony took place on Monday 4th July 2022 at Joaan bin Jassim Academy for Defence Studies in Qatar and coincided with Rwanda’s Liberation Day.
Rwanda’s ambassador to Qatar, Igor Marara has via Twitter handle posted pictures of the two officers at a graduation ceremony.
Amb. Marara said that the ceremony is a new step ‘in the materialization of the strong military cooperation between Qatar and Rwanda’.
The ceremony was also attended by leaders in RDF including Brig Gen Patrick Karuretwa, the head of International Military Cooperation and Lt Col David Mutayomba, the Chief Instructor at Rwanda Military Academy.
Rwanda and Qatar enjoy cooperation in different areas including investment.
The Deputy Chief of Staff for Joint Operations of the Qatar Armed Forces, Maj Gen Ibrahim Juma Al-Malki Al-Jehani came to Rwanda last month for a three-day visit between 27th and 29th June 2022.
He was received by RDF Air Force Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Jean-Jacques Mupenzi and visited Rwanda Military Academy in Bugesera District.
FERWAFA had announced his suspension on 20th June 2022 ‘due to issues of accountability falling under the scope of his work’.
In a statement posted via Twitter handle on 5th July, the local football governing body has announced that the suspension has ended.
Muhire worked as a sports journalist at Flash FM between 2006 and 2011 before joining Annamalai University in India where he obtained a Master of Arts in Population Studies and Development.
Muhire became FERWAFA Secretary General early January this year replacing François Regis Uwayezu who stepped down from his position in October 2021.
The duo include Henry Kwami Anyidoho and Joseph Narh Adinkra who held the rank of Major General as they served under the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (MINUAR) during Genocide against Tutsi which took lives of more than 1 million victims.
Gen Henry Kwami Anyidoho served as MINUAR Deputy Mission Commander and Commanded Ghanaian contingent under this mission while Gen Joseph Null Andinkra was a commanding officer of Ghanaian battalion.
The ceremony was held on Monday 4th July 2022 as Rwanda marked the 28th Liberation Day.
The National Order of Bravery (Indengabaganizi) is conferred to an individual or group of individuals who, in an exemplary way, demonstrated outstanding supreme acts of self-sacrifice in saving the life of one or many people.
Both Generals are commended for exemplary leadership and unfailing bravery where they ordered forces to continue protecting civilians who fled to them when other countries had withdrawn troops.
Maj Gen Anyidoho expressed delight to have received the medal as Rwanda celebrates the 28th Liberation Day and dedicated it to heroes who paid their ultimate price to liberate Rwanda as well as Ghanaians and Rwandans who lost their lives.
“At the time, the United Nations in new York was contemplating the decision to close down its mission in Rwanda in view of the deteriorating security situation. I said to myself as an African General who played a role in the mission, we cannot turn our backs on Rwanda.
I said, this is time that Rwandans need us the most. I therefore sought and obtained the approval from the Government of Ghana to retain a residual force to assist in addressing the deteriorating security situation in whichever way possible,” he said.
Gen Anyidoho also commended Rwanda’s remarkable progress for the past 28 years and Rwandans for leaving the past behind to move together along the development journey.
He said that the experiences of Rwandans also left lessons to the whole world which should prioritize peacekeeping as a pillar for development and advised African countries to always strive for peace irrespective of whatever differences.
President Kagame hailed the courage of the retiring soldiers for having chosen to stay in Rwanda instead of abandoning civilians who fled to them.
He revealed that the award presented to them did not come by accident as it was planned for long.
“I congratulate you, and thank you for your dedication and commitment. Where others fled or were withdrawn by their governments, leaving Rwandans to their fate, these officers remained and continued to lead their men and women, and did what was right to do,” he said.
“Through you, I convey our deep appreciation to the Government and people of Ghana for this decision. The Ghanaian battalion saved countless lives, under the most difficult circumstances. And there is no soldier involved who does not carry invisible wounds in his heart, to this day. A genocide produces no heroes. Simply doing one’s duty required exceptional courage, like these Generals did. Most failed the test. These officers did not,” added Kagame.
Ghana has around 850 troops deployed under MINUAR during Genocide against Tutsi.
The Model village constructed by Rwanda Defence Force in partnership with other Government Institutions was handed over to 48 families on 4th July 2022 as Rwanda marked the 28th Liberation Day Celebration.
The Model Village consists of residential houses, Groupe Scolaire Munini that includes Primary and Secondary school as well as Early Childhood Development Center (ECD) and other welfare support facilities.
Prime Minister Ngirente also inaugurated Munini Hospital in Nyaruguru District as well as the newly constructed asphalt road Huye-Kibeho-Munini.
While addressing residents, Premier Ngirente said that Rwanda’s achievements in the last 28 years were visible in different sectors including socio-economic, unity, leadership and security; thanks to the great effort and collaboration between citizens and their leaders at different levels.
He underscored that the journey of liberation is a long way to go and urged the citizens to deploy efforts to achieve more.
The voluntary and humanitarian act saw over 140 Rwandan Police peacekeepers of Formed Police Unit-One (FPU-1) and the Protection Support Unit (PSU) donate at least 450 millilitres of blood, each.
The life-saving act graced by MINUSCA Head of Police Component, Commissioner of Police (CP) Christophe Bizimungu, was part of the week-long blood donation exercise to mark the World Blood Donor Day, launched on June 28.
According to MINUSCA leadership, the blood donated by the peacekeepers will “contribute to helping accident victims, sickle cell patients and especially children suffering from anaemia and malaria.”
“This is a huge contribution and human security effort of saving lives,” CNTS leadership said.
Jean De la Croix Rukundo, 24, was arrested in Nyamata bus-park with a television screen, decoder and other accessories as well as money amounting to Rwf96,000, which he allegedly stole from his employer, Jean Damascene Rugumire of Gashora, where he was working as a house-help, since last year.
The Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana said the suspect was reported by suspicious people at the bus park in Nyamata town.
“People at the bus park got suspicious and called the Police when they saw Rukundo with a TV screen, decoder and other accessories, which they suspected to be stolen,” SP Twizeyimana said.
He added: “After his arrest, Rukundo revealed that he stole them from the home of one Jean Damascene Rugumire of Gashora, where he was working.
The victim was informed but he (Rugumire) also disclosed that the suspect had also stolen money amounting to Rwf96,000, which was also recovered from Rukundo.”
Rukundo was handed over to RIB at Nyamata station for further investigations.
SP Twizeyimana thanked the people, who provided information leading to the arrest of the suspect and recovery of stolen items.
“Quick sharing of information when a crime is committed or reporting anything suspicious helps in timely response and recovery of stolen items as well as arrest of suspects,” he advised.
Article 166 of law determining offences and penalties in general states that; any person convicted of theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one (1) year and not more than two (2) years and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf2 million, community service in a period of six (6) months or only one of these penalties.
