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Groupe Duval is a French company established in 1996 by Eric Duval. With 25 years experience investing in real estate, it currently has over 4000 employees. It has so far earned over $ 700 million from executed projects.

The company has been constructing eco-friendly buildings in Rwanda through its subsidiary ‘Duval Great Lakes Ltd’.

The company has executed mega construction projects in Rwanda including BPR headquarters located in Kigali city.

Duval Great Lakes Ltd is also preparing to develop real estate project at the premises of the Ministry of Justice and Supreme Court in Kimihurura .

It is expected that buildings of the Ministry of Justice, Supreme Court will be demolished to set up new state-of- the art buildings including a multi-leveled hotel known as ‘Odalys City Business Apart hotel’ with 140 rooms.

Once completed, the project is expected to add up to hospitality services offered to guests attending conference in Kigali.

The complex facility will be comprised of a pool, a small football pitch, a night club, gym, modern clinic and supermarket among others.

Speaking to IGIHE in July last year, the CEO of Duval Great Lakes Ltd, Vicky Murabukirwa said that the project expected to be completed within two years will also contribute to Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE).

The plot of land where the Ministry of Justice and Supreme Court are headquartered has been handed to these investors as published in the official gazette of 26th April 2020. It stretches to 26000 square meters.

Busingye made the revelation yesterday as he presented Rwanda’s 3rd Universal Periodic Review (UPR) to the Human Rights Council.

The previous review was presented in November 2015 where Rwanda accepted to implement 50 human rights recommendations.

During the virtual review held yesterday, Rwanda was represented by the Minister of Justice and State Attorney General, Johnston Busingye; Prof Anastase Shyaka, Minister of Local Government and Dr. Usta KAITESI, Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Governance Board; the three of them attending remotely from Kigali.

Other Rwanda delegates include Marie Chantal Rwakazina, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to Switzerland and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, and Ms. Providence Umurungi, Head of International Justice and Judicial Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Justice, attending from Geneva.

Minister Busingye explained that Rwanda respected human rights principles in terms of freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of press; and freedom of association and of peaceful assembly.

He stated that the country has been efficiently implementing recommendations received in 2015.

{{No unofficial detention centers }}

Concerning allegations by human rights activists that Rwanda detains people in unofficial military detention centers where they are tortured, Minister Busingye said they are unfounded because Rwanda’s prisons are known and conform to international standards.

“The Government of Rwanda wishes to note that Rwanda maintains separate prison facilities for civilian and military convicts. All fourteen of them are gazetted, operate in accordance with law, are accessible and conform to by international minimum standards on the treatment of persons deprived of liberty,” he said.

“There are no unofficial detention centers in Rwanda and as such the Government of Rwanda rejects such unfounded allegations which, we believe, are motivated by the political interest and agenda of those who advance them,” added Busingye.

Concerning detention conditions, Busingye explained that the prison population remains relatively high as a result of efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system from Rwanda Investigation Bureau through Criminal Courts.

He said that efforts to expand options for non-custodial sentences and diversion from the typical criminal justice channel are being studied for implementation as soon as possible while short term measures to depopulate prisons including building a new prison (Nyarugenge prison)and renovations of three (3) prisons were implemented.

Between 2015 and 2019, nine new detention police stations were built while 64 were renovated. In 2018, the penalty of community service was adopted as an alternative sentence and the use of electronic bracelets to expand bail options for suspects were introduced.

At least 9,442 inmates were released on parole and 110 granted Presidential Pardon since 2015.

“Places of deprivation of liberty are regularly inspected for compliance with minimum standards. Further, the Government of Rwanda wishes to note that while it successfully implemented its plan to separate female inmates from male inmates, and minors from adults in prisons, efforts are still underway to separate minors from adults in police custody,” said Busingye.

In this regard, the government has embarked on the project to progressively rehabilitate the existing police stations while building new ones where needed.

{{Independent judiciary}}

Some organizations have been accusing Rwanda of harassing opposition figures and journalists.

Minister Busingye has explained that it is untrue because Rwanda’s judiciary is independent and makes fair judgment.

“There are no prosecutions that target persons simply because they are politicians or journalists or human rights defenders, and the so-called political trials do not exist, nor are trials against journalists or human rights defenders just for being journalists or human rights defenders,” he said.

“A person can only be prosecuted based on his/her act which is prohibited and punishable by law. One’s freedom to express his/her opinion is guaranteed by the law and as such is protected and respected. That said Government is always open to frankly engage even on perceptions so that whatever lies at the base of a perception is addressed as appropriate,” added Busingye.

Among others, Busingye presented Rwanda’s achievements in promoting freedom of press and expression.

“Consistent action to more expand media space and freedom of expression characterized the last 5 years. As a result, the number of radio stations are now 34 up from 23 in 2011 while the number of television stations increased from 1 in 2011 to 12 in 2016 and 19 in 2019. Registered print and online media houses increased from 73 in 2016 to 161 in 2020. As mentioned earlier, the new law determining offences and penalties in general repealed all press offences,” he said.

The satisfaction of citizens with access to information, as measured by the Rwanda Governance Board, has grown from 52% in 2012 to 94% in 2019 which Busingye attribute to the aforementioned efforts.

Kagame revealed this yesterday as he attended a virtual meeting dubbed ‘Davos Agenda 2021’ organized World Economic Forum.

It brought together experts in sciences, politicians, investors, youth and members of civil society organizations among others.

The President participated in a panel discussion revolving around ‘Advancing a New Social Contract’ that should be promoted between Governments, private sector and citizens.

Kagame explained that the world has pulled many lessons that were experienced in the past but never applied until Coronavirus pandemic emerged.

With Rwanda’s experience, he revealed that several measures were taken to support vulnerable people during the first lockdown imposed in March last year.

“In the situation we are with the pandemic, we have been learning, or experienced things we learned in the past but really never came to apply. And the pandemic as we have seen, has hit workers very hard, and Governments have responded with the tools available. In Rwanda, for example, we have established economic recovery fund of around US$100 million designed to help companies stay afloat,” he said.

“We also used agriculture reserve to supply food to vulnerable families, during lockdown and paid health insurance for 2 million citizens. This crisis has revealed gaps in existing social protection systems everywhere in the world,” added Kagame.
The President also stressed that the way the world has been affected and how it has responded ‘brought the suffix to the existing problems we had known before but not tackled’.

Kagame highlighted need to seek solution to address the issue to be prepared enough during pandemics and after.

“The social protection agenda cannot be limited to wealthy countries. In fact, the pandemic has also reminded us of how we are interlinked and how we are interdependent in many ways so that things happening in one part of the world affect the other part as well not matter how rich or how poor we are,” he said.

Kagame emphasized that social protection agenda should be inclusive to benefit many people in developing countries including women and young people working in the informal sector of employment.

“It must be inclusive globally; otherwise existing inequalities among countries will only grow wider and the working conditions in developing countries will degrade,” he said.

“The important point is the arbitrary distinction between formal and informal sector of employment particularly in developing countries; many and their livelihoods as small scale entrepreneurs especially women and young people. We need therefore innovative and comprehensive approaches to social protection that include workers of all background and types,” added Kagame.

He is reported to have died of natural causes at the military base of FDLR/FOCA.

Forces Combattantes Abacunguzi (FOCA) is an armed wing of FDLR.

Mazizi was the mayor of former Commune Murama in Gitarama Prefecture. He later fled with EX-FAR soldiers to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where he joined FDLR comprised of elements who perpetrated the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

He was affiliated to Hutu Power MRND political party. He coordinated the execution of genocide in different parts including Gitwe in Nkomero where many Tutsi, followers of Adventist Church were killed.

The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG), Dr Bizimana Jean Damascène has told IGIHE that George Mazizi took part in political and military activities that involved denying and trivializing the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

“He was involved in mobilizing and coordinating combat activities to plot attacks. He was among the people that organized attacks to different places,” he said.

“Rutiganda joined battle activities because he was a solider before mayoral appointment. He didn’t pursue military career immediately but he had trained at National Military School (ESM) with which knowledge he got involved in military and political activities,” added Dr. Bizimana.

Before genocide, George Mazizi worked closely with Rutaganda George who was the first vice president of Interahamwe militia.

The latter is a son of Mpamo Esdras hailing from former Commune Masango in the neighborhood of Commune Murama currently in Ruhango district.

Rutaganda helped Mazizi to get weapons and distribute them to Interahamwe to kill Tutsis.

Rutaganda who had been handed life sentence by International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) succumbed to HIV/AIDS in Mali.

Mazizi is reported to have managed FDLR social media accounts through which they disseminated information denying and trivializing the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

He was recently appointed to coordinate online news medium including Intabaza and Urugaga operating under the auspices of FDLR. Mazizi was among wanted fugitives to face justice for genocide crimes.

The cabinet meeting held on 18th January 2021, put Kigali city under 15-day lockdown as part of ongoing measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Five days after the lockdown was imposed, Police has reported that 73,000 residents of Kigali city have requested movement clearance via online platform.

Speaking during a talk show on RBA, RNP Commissioner for Traffic Police, CP Rumanzi George has explained that 58,000 of these applicants had reasonable requests that they were granted permission to go ahead while requests for 15,000 people were rejected on ground of presenting unclear reasons for their movements.

“We have a team scrutinizing these applications and granting permissions. That is why some applications are rejected for showing no tangible reasons,” said CP Rumanzi.
RNP figures also show that 1221 cars were seized violating COVID-19 preventive measures between 19th -23rd January 2021.

Among others, 2489 people were caught doing unnecessary movements while 141 were caught drinking from bars among other activities that could spread Coronavirus.

CP Rumanzi appealed on residents to adhere to established COVID-19 preventive measures.

This rallying call was made by the Deputy Commissioner for Regional and Decentralized Taxes, Mr. Ernest Karasira yesterday.

Karasira called on all business owners and immovable property owners to respect the January 31st, 2021 deadline and subsequently avoid being penalized for late declaration and non-payment. He called on the taxpayer to use the online system and to do this early to avoid the last-minute rush.

“We encourage all concerned taxpayers to use our online/e-tax system early enough as they declare and pay for trading license and rental income tax. For trading license, the system has even made it easier to declare and pay through the mobile phone by simply dialing *800# and following the prompts,” noted Karasira.

Karasira also noted that the pressure on the online system might increase in the coming days since RRA is currently implementing guidelines issued by the Government of Rwanda in the fight against the Covid_19 pandemic among them including the lockdown in the City of Kigali. He therefore urged taxpayers to make their declaration and payment in time instead of waiting for the last minute when the system may be overwhelmed.

The Tax Administration has also shared contact details of staff members who will be helping taxpayers across the country during this period of isolation should the need arise. These will be available to assist taxpayers in the shortest time possible via email or via telephone. This move is expected to limit physical interactions between taxpayers and the revenue staff and thus curb the spread of the COVID-19 19 virus, which has seen an upsurge in number of infections in recent times.

Rental income tax is charged on all individuals or entities that earn revenues by renting out fixed assets located in Rwanda, including land, buildings and developments. It is charged at between 0% and 30% of net income (income that accrues after deducting 50% of the gross income to carter for interest payment and maintenance cost of the building, land or any development within the tax period).

Trading License, commonly known as Patente, is paid by taxpayers who own VAT registered businesses as well as other profit-making activities. It is also important to note that new small and medium enterprises are exempted from paying for trading license during the first two (2) years following their establishment.

Rental income tax, property tax and trading license are a key contributor to the overall local government revenue mobilization raking in over 62 billion in the previous fiscal year 2019/2020.

For those that have survived the cruel jaws of the virus, to see another day and tell how they have have had a terrorizing blush with death, relate horrendous experiences.

At the beginning of this week, the Governor of Northern Province, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi told IGIHE that he is among people who recently recovered from COVID-19.

“I was tested positive and got shaken. I now know well its devastating effects. People should understand that Coronavirus is a severe disease that kills. Avoid complacency and speculations that it is for Kigali residents,” he says.

Jean Léonard Dukuzumuremyi, 31, of from Cyuve sector of Musanze district in Northern Province has also recovered from Coronavirus. Featuring in a talk show dubbed ‘Amahumbezi’ on Radio Rwanda, he has narrated endured ordeal.

He started developing fever and suffering from flu but didn’t give much attention.

Dukuzumuremyi sought treatment from a private clinic from where he was diagnosed with blood infection. After taking prescribed drugs for three days, his health continued to deteriorate that he decided to go for COVID-19 testing in December 2020.

Dukuzumuremyi tested positive and felt uncomfortable whenever he could remember that he respected health guidelines.

“Sometimes, the youth think doing physical exercises or building six-pack muscles develops strong immune systems. It is wrong. I would like to remind them that that I was hit hard and felt much pain. I felt distressed when I received COVID-19 positive results. I was among patients in critical conditions using ventilators to breathe,” he said.

Dukuzumuremyi had lost hope for recovery but he is thankful to God that he recovered.

“When I was on ventilator, I felt closer to the doors of the Heaven. I was very weak and suffering, feeling that death was knocking. I was in distress,” narrates Dukuzumuremyi.

He advises the youth to take advantage of his and other testimonies to strengthen preventive measures.

“Covid-19 is a dangerous killer disease that firstly affects you psychologically. Relatives can pay visits to patients suffering from other diseases but Coronavirus leaves a patient into depression. A patient lives out of family contact knowing that she/he might succumb to the virus anytime,” reveals Dukuzumuremyi.

Sandrine Tukayisabe has also recovered from Covid-19. As the pandemic emerged, she couldn’t believe that everyone can catch it until she tested positive.

“You might not succumb to the virus but can transmit it to relatives and other members of the community. I have not yet fully regained strength but my health conditions are improving,” notes Tukayisabe.

She advises the public to respect instituted health guidelines because Coronavirus sometimes leaves side effects after recovery.

“A patient can recover from Coronavirus but sometimes with health complications. For instance, my body is still weak after recovery,” says Tukayisabe.

Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.

Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.

{{Far reaching}}

The pandemic’s unprecedented effects have not only affected cultural bonds but also had a huge devastating impact on the global, business and individual economies due to measures implemented to contain the spread of the virus.

Since the first COVID-19 patient was confirmed in Rwanda on 14th March 2020, new infections have been on rise; 11,860 people tested positive out of 808,584 sample tests. Of them, 7812 patients have recovered, 3895 are still getting medical attention while 153 have succumbed to the virus.

As Coronavirus emerged in Rwanda, all schools halted activities; students were facilitated to return home. A lockdown that lasted for 40 days was also imposed allowing only essential services to continue operating while adhering to heath guidelines. These include food markets, pharmacies and health facilities among other essential services.

The lockdown was eventually discontinued that travel services, hotels and restaurants, wedding ceremonies, tourism activities, businesses, sports, gaming activities among others were gradually allowed to reopen adhering to Coronavirus preventive measures.

Schools were among other latest activities allowed to reopen. After universities reopened in September 2020, secondary and primary schools subsequently resumed activities in November and December 2020.

The reopening schedule for the remaining nursery and primary school learners in P1 to P3 was set for Monday 18th January 2021.

However, the reopening didn’t go into effect in all parts of the country as planned.

The upsurge in Coronavirus cases in December 2020 had triggered stringent measures that saw the Government extending curfew hours from 10pm to 8pm and prohibited all forms of social gatherings (in public or private settings).

Early January 2021, the Government imposed inter-district lockdown that was later followed by the imposition of lockdown in Kigali as per resolutions of the cabinet meeting held on 18th January 2021. The decision is driven by the fact that Kigali has been a major hotspot for new Coronavirus cases.

For instance, Rwanda registered 1402 new COVID-19 cases and 22 deaths from 11th to 17th January 2021. The majority of new cases were found in Kigali City with highest figures of new infections which started increasing gradually towards the end of last year. The Ministry of Health shows that 862 of these cases and 19 deaths were recorded in Kigali in the same week.

Considering the socio-economic adverse effects brought by the pandemic, everyone should own the fight against Coronavirus as the world strives to distribute recently manufactured vaccines. It has been evident that everyone has risks to catch the virus if preventive measures are not appropriately adhered to. Thus far, stressing the need for consolidated efforts to defeat the pandemic which has affected the world in many aspects of life.

Initially, the public didn’t draw much attention to the virus with some speculations that it is a disease for wealthy people. This might have been among other causes driving complacency and violating instituted health guidelines.

As days go by, it is becoming evident that the pandemic was wrongly perceived considering the steadily rising new Coronavirus cases and deaths registered countrywide.

The Mission bid a final farewell to the fallen peacekeeper yesterday in a memorial ceremony held at MINUSCA force Headquarters. In attendance were the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in CAR Denise Brown, the MINUSCA Force Commander General Sidiki Traoré and CAR Army Chief of Staff, General Zephirin Mamadou.

The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General Denise Brown saluted Sgt NSABIMANA Jean D’amour: “United Nations appreciates his sacrifice to fight for the protection of civilians, peace services, stability and CAR population dignity” she said while also appreciating the dedication of Rwandan Contingent.

On behalf of the President of the Republic of CAR, the Inspector General of Central African Armed Forces, Major General Leopord Bruno Izamo, posthumously awarded Late Sgt NSABIMANA Jean D’amour ‘Medaille de chevalier d’ordre de la reconnaissance Centrafricaine’, one of the highest honor in the CAR.

The seminar was organized by Harvard University from the United States of America.

Rwanda’s Presidency has via Twitter handle revealed that President Kagame attended the seminar and spoke to participants.

“President Kagame is now speaking on leadership at the virtually held Africa Rising Seminar with students, faculty and members of the community of Harvard Business School,” reads the Tweet.

Other participants who delivered talks include Andy Zelleke, a lecturer at Harvard School of Business and Nigerian businessman, Hakeem Belo-Osagie. Hakeem is also the chair of Metis Capital Partners an organisation focused on brokering and delivering attractive, large-ticket transactions in Africa to select blue chip international investment partners. He was once listed by Forbes Magazine as the richest man in Africa. Hakeem is among alumni of Harvard School of Business.

President Paul Kagame is among leaders who delivered talks at Harvard University in 2016 and 2017.

In August 2017, Kagame received a delegation of 56 top African executives undergoing a special programme at Harvard Business School in the United States.

The executives were undergoing a programme dubbed Senior Executives Program-Africa (SEPA) offered in collaboration with the University of Pretoria (South Africa) and University of Lagos Business School in Nigeria.

As part of the training, participants met with President Kagame who gave them personal insights on Rwanda’s development path, leadership strategy among other things.

At the time, Prof. Srikant Datar from Havard Business School said that the team was inspired by Kagame’s approach to addressing several challenges the country faced to be where it is.

Harvard is one of top global universities renowned for training executives and acquainting other students with deeper knowledge leadership skills, politics and business.