The cabinet meeting also approved the Ministerial Order to promote 4483 personnel of RNP including non-commissioned officers and constables.
Four of the officers have been elevated from the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) to Commissioner of Police (ACP). These include CSP Sam Bugingo, CSP Aloys Munana Burora, CSP Rutagarama Kanyamihigo and CSP Edmond Kalisa.
Three officers at the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) have been also promoted to Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), two are promoted from Superintendent of Police (SP) to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) while 100 have been elevated from Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) to Superintendent of Police (SP).
The Ministerial Order related to these promotions shows that 266 have been promoted from Inspector of Police (IP) to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) as 638 are promoted from Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) to Inspector of Police (IP).
A total of 56 non-commissioned officers have been promoted from Senior Sergeant (SSGT) to Chief Sergeant (CSGT), 355 from Sergeant (SGT) to Senior Sergeant (SSGT), 928 from Corporal (CPL) to Sergeant (SGT) while 2,240 are promoted from Police Constable (PC) to Corporal (CPL).
Among others, 481 have been dismissed from RNP. These include 40 non-commissioned officers and 441 with the rank of Police Constable.
The measures are part of resolutions of the cabinet meeting that convened at Village Urugwiro on Wednesday 26th January 2022 chaired by President Paul Kagame.
The previous resolutions were released on 14th December 2021 where the country took stringent measures after confirming new cases of COVID-19 Omicron variant.
At the time, the Government prohibited movements from 10 p.m until 4a.m while concerts were put to halt.
The new measures to take effect starting Thursday 27th January 2022 follow the reduction of new cases and increased number of COVID-19 vaccine recipients. They will be reviewed after one month upon health assessment.
The cabinet meeting has also resolved that public offices will continue with essential staff at no more than 50% capacity, while other employees continue working from home on a rotational basis.
Private offices will continue with essential staff at no more than 75% capacity.
Motorbike and bicycle taxis are permitted to carry passengers in adherence with COVID-19 preventive measures. Operators and passengers are obliged to be vaccinated or, face penalties for non-compliance.
Social gatherings have been also allowed to resume without exceeding 50% for indoor and 75% for outdoor venues.
Services held at places of worship must not exceed 75% maximum occupancy, restaurants are allowed to operate with 75% occupancy limit. Church goers and clients must be vaccinated.
Among others, night clubs and live bands shall resume progressively upon assessment and approval by Rwanda Development Board.
He made the revelation on Tuesday 25th January 2022, during the annual Article 8 Dialogue that took place at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Kimihurura.
The dialogue seeks to share information to promote mutual understanding and facilitate the establishment of agreed priorities and shared agendas.
The latest dialogue was held in February 2019. In 2020 and 2021, representatives from both countries did not meet physically due to COVID-19 related restrictions.
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 rebel groups linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
The group sometimes calls themselves al-Shabaab, although they do not have known links with the Somali al-Shabaab.
The situation started worsening in October 2017 when armed extremists linked ISIL launched an insurgency in the Cabo Delgado region of Mozambique.
Since then, Mozambique Defence Armed Forces have been battling the extremists while many civilians were displaced by the fighting.
The joint operations between Rwandan and Mozambican troops yielded big where different regions including Palma, Awasse, Mocímboa Da Praia, Quionga, Tete, Maputo, Nhica Do Rovuma, Quelimane, Chinda and Mumu were seized from rebels.
As at 5th September 2021, Rwandan and Mozambican troops who were joined by the military mission of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) had captured almost all areas of Cabo Delgado Province where the remaining work was predominantly about launching offensives to quell enemy pockets from their hideouts and help displaced citizens to return to their homes.
Rwanda initially sent 1000 troops to Cabo Delgado honoring the request of Mozambique to support efforts to quell terrorist groups.
The troops had increased to nearly 2000 by the end of the year 2021.
Cabo Delgado is rich in natural gas resources that lured French Firm, Total energies to bring an investment worth US$20 billion under a project dubbed ’Liquefied Natural Gas’.
The project was put to halt due to insecurity in the area.
The project’s resumption of operations in Mozambique will be good news not only for the company but also for French and EU as well.
Amb. Nicola Bellomo has said that such dialogue is a good platform to share ideas on areas of cooperation between Rwanda and EU including trade and investment, governance, unity and reconciliation among others.
He also reminisced on cooperation with EU and the African continent, integration efforts and foreign policy.
“In this context, I will refer to operations in Mozambique. I am confident this dialogue will provide additional elements to inform the ongoing discussion on possible EU support to Rwanda and to identify new avenues to promote and preserve peace and security on the continent,” he said.
Amb. Bellomo also commended Rwanda’s response to COVID-19 to save lives and mitigate the pandemic’s effect to national economy. He assured that the EU has also designed plans to support the health sector and social protection programs.
Amb. Bellomo welcomed Rwanda’s endorsed recommendations to respect human rights noting that EU and country members will continue discussions with Rwanda along the process to implement the recommendations endorsed during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta said that, significant changes have taken place around the world since the last dialogue in 2019. He however highlighted that the collaboration between Rwanda and the EU remained strong, ‘especially with this pandemic and the need to work together to overcome it’.
He appreciated the support received from the EU since the beginning of the pandemic including vaccine donations and the strong contribution from the EU towards Rwanda’s efforts to produce vaccines locally.
Among others, Minister Biruta revealed that Rwanda is in the process to start implementing a new EU country strategy which is aligned with Rwanda’s Vision 2050 and the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1) NST1.
He said that the country looks forward to continue working closely with Team Europe on key priority areas including: education, skills and jobs for the youth; a green deal for inclusive development (with a focus on agriculture and urbanization), as well as political and economic governance, including support for private sector development.
Mukamurenzi was appointed by the Cabinet Meeting held on 14th December 2021 and was later approved the Senate on 28th December 2021.
She took the oath on Tuesday 25th January 2022 in a ceremony held at Village Urugwiro. It was attended by different Government officials.
As he officiated the ceremony, Kagame said that Mukamurenzi has experience in the justice sector which she will leverage on to serve Rwandans and the nation efficiently.
The President explained that the sworn-in official will be assuming heavy responsibilities because justice is among major pillars on which Rwanda’s development is entrenched.
“Our country’s history teaches us many lessons. One of them being not to tolerate injustice. It is important that we take initiative to fight injustice in any form, no matter where it comes from,” Kagame said.
The Head of State said that liberation was meant to get rid of injustice and stressed the need to keep soldiering on to fight it.
The Court of Appeal, he said, is one of the entities that were established to expedite the adjudication of court cases, for Rwandans to get justice in a swift manner, remarking that “justice delayed is justice denied.”
Kagame also urged all concerned organs to work together to dispense justice efficiently and promised support to the newly sworn-in judge to fulfill her duties.
The symposium is a forum that brings together Air Chiefs from militaries on the African continent to discuss regional and continental issues, enhance relationship and increase cooperation among African Air Forces.
While addressing the participants of the symposium, Kagame urged African countries to prioritise partnerships. He said that many of Africa’s emerging security challenges are transnational in scope and no one country has the resources to respond to them alone.
The President said that strategic airlift is a critical component for the maintenance of peace and security on the continent, particularly for peacekeeping operations.
The US Ambassador to Rwanda, Peter H.Vrooman emphasised that collaboration is vital to solve security concerns and shape a better future for African continent. He said that strategic airlift is very critical and partner nations should work together to provide each other airlift capabilities to address growing needs for the respective countries on the continent.
The AACS is being co-hosted by Rwanda Defence Force in partnership with the United States Air Forces Africa under the theme “Strategic Airlift”. The symposium attracted 30 member states of the Association of African Air Forces.
Amb. Vrooman who ended his tour of duty has been assuming the duties for more than four years.
The farewell ceremony held at Village Urugwiro, on Monday 24th January 2022, was also attended by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta.
Peter Hendrick Vrooman had presented credentials to President Paul Kagame on 6th April 2018 replacing Erica Barks-Ruggles who had held the position since 2014.
During his tour of duty, Vrooman was particularly admired for friendly interactions with Rwandans and efforts to learn Kinyarwanda where he was heard at different times holding speeches in the language.
Ambassador Vrooman recently served as the Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Prior to that he served as the spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi; Director for Iraq on the staff of the National Security Council in Washington, D.C.; and Deputy Political Counselor in Tel Aviv and at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations.
He also worked at the U.S. embassies in Baghdad, Beirut, and Djibouti, as well as the U.S. Liaison Office in Mogadishu, Somalia.
In Washington, he was a Watch Officer in the Department of State’s Operations Center and the Desk Officer for Algeria in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.
A native of New York in 1966, Ambassador Vrooman graduated from Harvard College with a B.A. in Social Studies and earned an M.S. in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University’s Industrial College of the Armed Forces, now known as the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy.
Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he worked as the special assistant to the President of the American University in Cairo.
Amb. Vrooman was married to Johnette Iris Stubbs with whom they begot two children.
He made the revelation during the talk show dubbed ‘Ishusho y’Icyumweru’ loosely translated as Weekly Review aired on RBA on Sunday 23rd January 2022.
Mukuralinda explained that there has an open ground for discussions of matters affecting both countries’ relations since the situation worsened five years ago.
“For instance, the two embassies are open. Officials at all levels have engaged in discussions. There have been discussions, transmission of messages through envoys from both countries, some of whom were not disclosed to the public,” he said.
Mukuralinda also hinted on Luanda agreements signed in Angola in 2019 and recent efforts where the Uganda’s envoy, Adonia Ayebare and Lieutenant General Muhoozi Kainerugaba visited Rwanda to mend relations.
Despite the delay in reaching common ground, Mukuralinda revealed that the most important thing is to continue discussions to address raised concerns.
“Discussions were held at different levels. The talk held yesterday was at higher level,” he said.
“The fact that the President of Uganda decided to send his son, the Senior Presidential Advisor in Charge of Special Operations and Uganda People’s Defence Forces Commander of Land Forces to his counterpart; evidences that people’s hope for normalized relations is founded. However, they should be mindful that the optimism is not rooted on yesterday’s visit. The other visits were in the same context,” Mukuralinda added.
The fact that both sides affirmed to have held productive discussions conveys a significant message.
Some Rwandan nationals living or traveling to Uganda for different reasons are reported incarcerated and tortured, dispossessed of their belongings and dumped at borders.
Mukuralinda said that Rwanda has already raised concerns of dissidents with intentions to threaten Rwanda’s security operating in Uganda and highlighted that it is time to put into action what is needed most to bring the situation to normal following discussions, signed agreements, transmission of messages through envoys.
He however explained that it would be to rush to decide when relations will be fully mended.
“On the other hand, I can say that we have reached at least 60% of positive progress in consideration of past efforts. I am convinced that the implementation of resolutions taken at such level cannot be delayed,” he said.
Reflecting on a tweet by Rwanda’s Presidency that ‘President Kagame and General Muhoozi had cordial, productive and forward looking discussions about Rwanda’s concerns and practical steps needed to restore the relationship between Rwanda and Uganda’, Mukuralinda reassured citizens on normalized relations.
“There is optimism but people should understand that it is not something to done in two or three days because existing problems are serious. The most important thing is to have them talked about. Let us turn words into actions. If we point out that Rwandans are being tortured in Uganda, that Uganda houses Rwanda’s dissidents; it remains a matter of determining what are needed actions to stop the situation?” he wondered.
After arriving in Uganda, Lt Gen Muhoozi used his twitter handle to post that only enemies would fight both countries’ unity.
He stressed the need to resolve existing small problems quickly to move forward together.
Mukuralinda explained that that things are bound to be in the right direction when one of parties involved in conflicts starts realizing that the person fuelling confrontations is an enemy.
“We must not do things in haste because we need to reach long-lasting solution,” he said.
A lawyer and Principal of the College of Arts and Social Sciences – University of Rwanda (CASS), Dr. Alphonse Muleefu who also featured in the talk show, highlighted that the current situation is promising for both countries to reach common ground.
The recent visit by Lt Gen Muhoozi was considered a great step to restore relations to normal after five years of deteriorated relations.
Before 1994, the country’s health services were mainly provided by public health facilities with small number of specialized doctors and inadequate advanced equipment.
Today, the situation is gradually becoming history with the increase of public and private health facilities, modern health equipment and advanced technology to promote health tourism even though a lot still needs to be done.
Frontier Diagnostic Center and polyclinic is one of health facilities expected to increase health tourism following plans to open doors to Rwanda.
Located in Nyarutarama nearby the Kigali Golf Course, Frontier Diagnostic Center and Polyclinic is a subsidiary of Alzaytouna Network co.ltd. The centre will offer health services ranging from Obs&Gynecology, pediatrics, surgery, orthopedics, dermatology, cardiology, renal and oncology.
Other health services packages include internal medicine with advanced endoscopy, Imaging services, physiotherapy, minor surgery, laboratory services, emergency and Short stay ward services.
Frontier Diagnostic Center and Polyclinic has equipment with advanced technology and specialist doctors from different countries including those whose health sectors developed in centuries.
The health facility has a fully automated laboratory, and advanced machines including MRI 1.5 Tesla, CT-Scan, X-Ray FDR smart Fujifilm, Ultrasound, Echocardiography and Endoscopy machine.
Dr. Elmetwally, the Medical Director and specialist in Gastroenterology & Endoscopy at Frontier Diagnostic Center said that the hospital will attend to patients in need of different health services and others transferred from other facilities for imaging services and specialists services.
He explained that Rwanda was the right place to expand footprints due to advancing technology, security and provided favorable business environment.
“We chose to open doors to Rwanda as a country facilitating investment in different areas with advancing technology. Rwandans will benefit from our world class health services closer to their homes at reasonable cost. Our presence will also reduce the time it would take patients waiting for radio imaging results,” Dr. Elmetwally said.
The facility is expected to begin operations on 28th January 2022.
Muhoozi, the first born son of Uganda’s President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni arrived at Kigali International Airport on Saturday morning. Upon arrival, he was welcomed by, among Brig Gen Willy Rwagasana, the Commandant of Republican Guard and the Spokesperson of Rwanda Defence Force, Col Ronald Rwivanga.
Lt Gen Muhoozi,47, met with Kagame to deliver a message from his counterpart of Uganda.
Upon arrival in Rwanda, Lt Gen Kainerugaba was received by among others, Brig Gen Willy Rwagasana, the Commandant of Republican Guard and the Spokesperson of Rwanda Defence Force, Col Ronald Rwivanga.
Information about his visit went viral on Friday where it was reported that Lt Gen Muhoozi, the first born son of Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected in Kigali for discussions with President Paul Kagame aimed mending bilateral ties.
Recently, Lt Gen Muhoozi shared a message via his Twitter handle that people fighting President Kagame are fighting his family.
“This is my uncle, Afande Paul Kagame. Those who fight him are fighting my family. They should all be careful,” he tweeted.
On 17th January 2022, Kagame has received Uganda’s Permanent Representative of Uganda to the United Nations, Ambassador Adonia Ayebare who delivered a message from his counterpart, Museveni.
Political analysts have considered the milestone as a step further towards restoring relations to normal.
