The incident took place on Sunday 28th November 2021 in Sunzu village, Nkenke cell of Kinoni sector in Burera district, Northern Province.
Before they went to swim, the three students were along with colleagues at a nearby football pitch where their school participated in inter-schools’ football competition.
The executive secretary of Kinoni sector, Marie Nyirasafari has said that their bodies have been retrieved and taken to Ruhengeri Hospital for postmortem.
He appealed on residents to avoid swimming in the lake noting as more people have drowned in it due to its structure.
“We want schools to alert local leaders and security officials in case they are organizing similar events to prevent such incidences,” he said.
The deceased include a 18-year old male student from Musanze district who was studying Construction in senior four, 21-year old girl hailing from Rubavu district who studied in senior six, the same option and another young man aged 19 from Nyabihu who was studying Tourism in senior five.
IGIHE has learnt, by press time, that the head teacher and prefect of discipline who had escorted students to the match have been arrested.
The resolution follows the confirmation of a new serious variant of COVID-19 dubbed ‘Omicron’.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the new coronavirus variant to be “of concern” noting that it has a large number of mutations, and early evidence suggested an increased reinfection risk.
The new variant was first confirmed in South Africa on 24th November 2021, and has also been identified in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Israel.
Considering the severity of the new variant, different countries have banned to and from southern Africa.
In the Netherlands, 13 people were recently detected with the new variant after arriving in Amsterdam from South Africa.
The cabinet meeting held on Sunday ,chaired by President Paul Kagame discusssed Rwanda’s response to COVID-19 Omicron variant which has been reported a variant of concern.
Rwandans have been urged to exercise extra vigilance in the practice and enforcement of preventive measures.
“Direct flights between Rwanda and southern Africa countries are temporarily suspended,” reads part of resolutions of the cabinet meeting.
Among others, all arriving and departing passengers at Kigali International Airport must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken in 72 hours prior to the departure.
The cabinet meeting has also resolved that all arriving passengers must quarantine for 24 hours at a designated hotel at their own cost.
However, a seven-day quarantine will be required for passengers travelling from , or those with a recent history of travel in , particularly affected countries.
The Ministry of Health will release the list of those countries following continuous assessment of global health conditions in collaboration with relevant international institutions.
People attending events including conferences, concerts, weddings, festivals, or exhibitions must be fully vaccinated and tested.
The statement reads that gatherings should take place outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces as much as possible.
Rwandans have been urged to get fully vaccinated, frequently tested and continue being vigilant in practicing COVID-19 preventive measures including physical distancing, properly wearing face masks, ensuring proper ventilation and hand hygiene.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a new coronavirus variant to be “of concern” and named it Omicron.
The WHO has revealed that it has a large number of mutations, and early evidence suggested an increased reinfection risk.
It was first reported from South Africa on 24th November 2021, and has also been identified in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel.
Considering the severity of the new variant, different countries have banned to and from southern Africa.
The Ministry of Health has said that the quarantine for arriving passengers takes effect from 28th November 2021.
“Following confirmation of a serious new COVID-19 variant detected in Southern Africa, the Ministry of Health is reinstating the obligatory 24-hour quarantine in designated hotels for all persons arriving into Rwanda, effective Sunday 28th November 2021 at noon,” reads the statement in part.
Rwandans have been urged to continue respecting instituted COVID-19 preventive measures including proper wearing of face masks at all times, ensuring maximum ventilation in indoor spaces (keep doors and windows open as much as possible), avoiding crowds, crowded spaces and unnecessary social gatherings, maintaining physical distance of at least one meter form others as well as washing or sanitizing hands frequently.
“These measures are being taken to limit the spread of the new variant and protect the gains Rwanda has made so far in managing COVID-19 pandemic and reopening the economy. Additional measures will be announced in the coming days,” adds the statement.
Rwanda had removed 24-hour quarantine for all arriving vaccinated passengers on 14th October 2021.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije has told RBA that the new variant spreads fast.
He revealed that Rwanda has not yet started considering the imposition of lockdown because research is underway to gather more relevant information about the variant.
So far, different countries including the United Kingdom and the Netherlands among others from Europe have banned flights South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Lesotho.
The ceremony took place on Thursday 25th November 2021 at Presidential Palace located in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.
Amb. Kamanzi will represent Rwanda to the country with residence in Moscow, Russia.
President Sarkissian congratulated the Ambassador on appointment and wished him productive work.
The ambassador also assured that he will make all efforts to promote the relations between Rwanda and Armenia.
Sarkissian said that Armenia and Rwanda have many commonalities, a similar history, where both countries have passed through heavy challenges. He however stressed that they also have many advantages which they can turn into success.
As for the possible directions for cooperation, the Armenian President said that the two countries have coinciding interests, the achievements of Rwanda in electronic governance and new technologies are impressing, and according to him, the partnership in these areas could be promising.
Sarkissian said that he links Armenia’s future with the development of modern technologies, science and education and highlighted implementing joint innovative and research projects, as well as the cooperation in high technologies and innovations.
The launch of the Smart White Cane (SWC) took place at Masaka Resource Center for the Blind, where 40 locally developed ‘smart canes’ devices were handed over to persons with visual impairment.
The high-tech white cane is the first of its kind to be made in Rwanda. It uses ultrasonic ranging technology to detect obstacles in a distance of 1.2 meters and alert the user through vibrations and sound. It has sensors, which can help the user to differentiate day and night. The GPS functionality allows to identify the geographic location of the user. This feature also facilitates to track the smart white cane in case it is lost. It has reflectors that inform other road users that the cane user needs special assistance.
The process to develop the SWC was innovative. The United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Rwanda Accelerator Lab partnered with Beno Holdings, a Rwandan technology company, and RUB to design the SWC.
“The Accelerator Lab organized design thinking sessions with members of Rwanda Union of the Blind and the solution provider to deeply understand the challenges and learn how visually impaired persons are trying to address the mobility issue,’ said Christa Munezero Uwamahoro, head of experimentation at UNDP Accelerator Lab
‘Based on discussions with members, they began to experiment on what features could help persons with visual impairment to move freely and safely,” she added.
During the testing, members of RUB verified and previewed the SWC at key points in its development. Their insights focused on easy operability, practicality of use, being light to carry, and waterproof.
“As someone who has both visual and hearing impairments, the digital cane will help me a lot especially that it can vibrate. Additionally, I hope drivers will now stop for me when I am crossing a road. The ordinary stick was good, but it had limitations. It didn’t have lights or vibration to alert other road users of your presence or warn you of obstacles on the road respectively,” said Jean Marie Furaha, member of Rwanda Union of the blind.
Rwanda’s SWC joins a small but growing set of adaptive technologies for persons with disability in Africa. In Rwanda, the UNDP Accelerator Lab is helping to lead the way, through their approach of sensing, exploring and testing solutions, led by people closest to the problem. The solutions and the communities they aim to help deserve our attention and support.
“Persons with visual impairment face many challenges navigating a highly visual world. In Rwanda, we now have access to assistive technology to change that,” said Maxwell Gomera, UNDP representative in Rwanda.
“Through this initiative UNDP wanted to first test if the technology can solve the challenge. The Smart stick we launched today is still a pilot project. We now want to engage our partners to see if we can bring down the cost of producing the smart cane – in order to take it to scale,” he added.
Kagame was speaking on Thursday 25th November 2021 at the men’s conference on Positive Masculinity hosted by his counterpart of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Félix Tshisekedi, the incumbent Chairperson of the African Union (AU).
The meeting coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2021.
Annual activities to celebrate 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence also kicked off the same day to be concluded on 10th December 2021 on Human Rights Day.
The men’s conference on Positive Masculinity held in Kinshasa, the capital of DRC is considered a great landmark in mobilizing African countries to actively support efforts aimed at eliminating violence against women.
It brought together Heads of State including Kagame, Nana Akufo Addo of Ghana, Macky Sall of Senegal, Denis Sassou-Nguesso of Congo Brazaville, Faure Gnassingbé of Togo and Félix Tshisekedi of RDC.
Other participating dignitaries include Ellen-Johnson Sirleaf, the patron of African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) and former President of Liberia and Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of AU Commission among others.
As he addressed participants, Kagame emphasized that Women and girls remain vulnerable to abuse ‘despite our recognition that it is deeply wrong, and harmful to our collective development efforts’.
“There is no denying that men are generally the authors of violence against women and girls. Men have a special responsibility to speak out and take action,” he noted.
“We must act to tackle the structural impediments and deep-seated norms that fuel harmful masculinities, and cultivate instead, in the words of this conference, positive notions of masculinity,” Kagame added.
The President also emphasized that women’s empowerment should be anchored in strong legal and policy frameworks.
He pointed out an example of Rwanda’s efforts to the same cause where the country has established more than 40 Isange One Stop Centres around the country to provide protection and care to victims of gender-based violence, 24 hours a day.
Kagame further stated that it is time for countries to work together towards an African Union convention to eliminate violence against women and girls.
“Gender equality is much more than a moral obligation, it is a right which cannot be abridged. We must commit to tackling the negative mindsets in some men and boys that normalize violence against women and girls. Working together, we can end this scourge,” he said.
The meeting discussed needed actions to eliminate violence against women.
The Chairperson of AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat also said that ending the scourge is a collective responsibility and called for men’s active involvement along the journey.
Ellen-Johnson Sirleaf expressed optimism that the meeting will be more productive compared to previous ones noting that Heads of State can work in their respective capacities to design impactful policies to be implemented towards the common goal.
The donation aligns with the Government of Rwanda’s Girinka program also known as ‘One Cow Per Poor Family’, initiated in 2006.
The event was held on Thursday, 25th November 2021 in Rusiga sector, and was attended by the Ambassador of Israel to Rwanda, Dr. Ron Adam, the Acting Mayor of Rulindo District, AlBashir Bizumuremyi, security officials and beneficiaries of the program among other attendees.
In his remarks, Ambassador Adam underscored that Israel is pleased to support Rwanda’s existing efforts to promote Rwandans’ welfare.
“Israel is happy to support Girinka program initiated by H.E President Paul Kagame. We realized that a cow is one of the most sustainable support you can give, because the beneficiary is able to get milk and fertilizer, and can make money out of it. This is the third time we are donating cows, and we are looking forward to continue doing so,” he said.
He added: “The support is yet another sign of existing good relations between Israel and Rwanda.”
In 2020 and June this year, Israel donated 40 cows to families in Nyamasheke and Gisagara Districts.
Cows from Girinka program are passed to other beneficiaries through off-spring sharing program.
Bizumuremyi underscored that the 20 cows are a significant contribution to existing efforts.
“A cow is a sign of prosperity and wealth. We are grateful to the Israel Embassy for this support, because it contributes to the existing efforts by the Government of Rwanda to improve citizens’ social welfare,” he said.
So far, as per the statistics of Rulindo district, 10264 residents of the district have benefitted from Girinka Program.
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Honorine Mukeshimana, a resident of Gako cell, Rusiga sector in Rulindo district is one of the beneficiaries. She explains that the cow she received will help her to cater for her families’ day-to-day needs.
“My three children will no longer miss milk on the table. Also, as a farmer, the problem of lack of manure will be no more. My harvest is going to increase, and hopefully I will be able to not only feed my home, but also sell my produce,” she said.
This was also reiterated by Innocent Niringiyimana, a father of three who resides in Kirenge cell.
“This is a dream come true. I am very grateful to the Israel Embassy in Rwanda and our government for this program. My family and I are going to make sure we take care of this cow so that it helps us to develop ourselves,” he underscored.
Upon arrival, Kagame was received by Prime Minister Lukonde Sama and later welcomed by his counterpart of DRC, Félix Tshisekedi to Palais de la Nation in Kinshasa for bilateral talks ahead of the Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity.
He thanked Tshisekedi for the invitation to attend the ‘important conference’ on gender, violence against women and girls and the role of men in ensuring that violence against women and girls is eliminated noting that Africa has a role to play.
“This invitation and conference have come in at the right time to renew the friendship and cooperation between our two brotherly countries DRC and Rwanda,” he said.
Kagame joins African Heads of State and Government including the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, Macky Sall of Senegal and Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana are among others.
The meeting is also hosted in partnership with the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) under its patron, Ellen-Johnson Sirleaf who is also a former President of the Republic of Liberia.
Held under the theme ‘’African Men Leaders Engage in Positive Masculinity Approaches to End the Scourge of Violence Against Women and Girls in Africa’’, the Conference seeks to mobilise commitment and galvanise action by men in leadership to accelerate the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls in Africa at all spheres and at all levels.
The Men’s Conference also aims to secure commitment to create enabling environments to ensure an increase in the numbers of women in leadership at all levels, including as heads of state, government and other sectors to take this agenda forward while also creating political ownership of the AU Campaign on ending Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) at national level.
Leaders representing governments, business, youth, traditional and religious sectors, among others, are also expected to adopt a declaration with concrete actions and strategies to enhance men’s leadership and role towards ending VAWG, in their various capacities.
The declaration will inform the engagement of African men and boys going forward.
Kagame made the call on Wednesday 24th November 2021 as he opened the 17th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC)– Africa Region themed “African Parliaments in the 21st Century”.
The conference taking place at Kigali Convention Centre brought together government officials and diplomats accredited to Rwanda among others.
It has drawn emphasis on promoting digital integration in parliamentary activities and restructuring their systems to become more efficient following adverse effects brought by COVID-19 pandemic.
As he addressed participants, President Kagame thanked parliamentarians for their contribution to COVID-19 response and urged them to take the lead to ensure the continent has resilient health systems.
“Across the continent, parliamentarians have raised awareness and provided support for pandemic response. As we continue on the path to recovery, parliaments still need to be at the forefront of building Africa’s resilience against, mainly health threats and others,” he said.
To achieve the objective, the President suggested main ideas for how to make progress.
“First, I advise all national parliaments to ratify the African Medicines Agency [AMA] which has now entered into force. This is a landmark agreement that will help ensure that vaccines and medications in Africa are both high quality and locally produced,“ he said.
The African Union adopted treaties establishing AMA in February 2019.
Signatories to the new African Medicines Agency Treaty have now reached 28 countries – more than half of the African Union’s 55 member states. It is expected to address challenges in the health sector particularly reinforcing the manufacturing of medicines of African continent to avoid heavy reliance on imports.
Kagame has also called on parliamentarians to take part in the implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfTCA).
“Second, legislators should be a driving force for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfTCA) and the Paris Climate Accords. Both require extensive, enabling legislation. Third, enacting the legal frameworks required to speed up digital transformation should be a priority,” he said.
Lastly, Kagame highlighted that budget allocations should be made towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063.
“This is particularly the case in the health sector where there is still too much dependence on external financing,” he stressed.
The President said that the pandemic exposed Africa’s vulnerabilities and reversed some of the gains countries had made. To this end, he called for collaboration to return to normalcy.
“Africa is not alone in these setbacks, but we can afford it less than others can. So, we have to work together to get back on track, with a sense of urgency,” Kagame said.
“I would like to encourage all of us to continue sharing knowledge, skills, and resources with one another. It is by collaborating that our individual efforts will be multiplied,” he added.
The Speaker of Rwanda’s Low Chamber of Parliament, Donatille Mukabalisa has said that the conference is a good opportunity for parliamentarians to reassess their contribution to address problems facing the world and seek together what can be done to promote citizens’ wellbeing and economic growth.
The conference brought together approximately 800 participants while others attended virtually.
Participating countries include Botswana, Cameroun, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda as the host country.
Under this arrangement, the European Investment Bank will provide EUR 15 million new long-term financing under its East Africa COVID-19 Rapid Response facility, which will be complemented by EUR 15 million counter financing from the Development Bank of Rwanda thus unlocking EUR 30 million (approximately Rwf35 billion) to Rwandan business investments.
Businesses will be able to access long-term loans in Rwandan Francs, US$, and EUR, with tenors of up to 10 years.
Commenting on the development; the CEO of BRD, Kampeta Sayinzoga explained that the investment from European Investment Bank will facilitate private sector development especially Small and Medium Enterprises.
“This illustrates the growing trust that international financial institutions place on BRD. More specifically, this investment will enable BRD to provide long term loans to companies ready to invest directly in Rwanda’s recovery journey. Together, we will capitalize on job creation and value addition,” she said.
The EIB Vice President Thomas Ostros who was on his first official visit to Rwanda to participate in the formal announcement emphasized that the EUR 30 million of new financing to be managed by the Development Bank of Rwanda will help strengthen economic recovery from COVID-19 in Rwanda.
“Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Investment Bank has worked with leading banks and financial institutions in Rwanda and across Africa to ensure that companies can continue to invest, protect jobs, and harness new business opportunities,” he noted.
Last month, EIB signed a credit line worth EUR 55 million with commercial banks which saw Bank of Kigali and KCB Rwanda allocated EUR 40 million and EUR 15 million respectively.
On top of supporting the private sector investments, the credit lines also allow female led companies and firms that contribute to gender quality to benefit from improved access to finance up to 30% of the total financing.
Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning who was also present during the ceremony revealed that the Lines of Credits to the banking sector come to complement Government of Rwanda’s efforts to support private businesses which are facing risks of collapse, in order to recover from COVID-19 and invest for economic recovery and resilience in the post COVID-19 pandemic.
The new targeted financing scheme will include support to companies in sectors most impacted by the trade, economic and health challenges triggered by COVID-19 and unlock investment to accelerate private sector recovery from the pandemic.
Key sectors that are set to benefit include agribusiness, manufacturing, and the health sector
