The program which started on Thursday is expected to be carried out by various health authorities, including those in Kigali, those who are entering or leaving Kigali.
Minister of State in charge of Primary Health Care, Dr. Mpunga Tharcisse, told National Television that various test sites would be set up, making all the targeted categories visible.
Some of the test centers are; Stadium Remera, IPRC Kicukiro, and Camp Kigali in Nyarugenge District. For people traveling to and from upcountry, other test sites have been set up including Giti cy’Inyoni and Gatsata.
“We want to test everyone, especially people who are in different activities, those who are traveling in the city or those who are leaving the city to other places,” Dr. Mpunga continued.
“We want to carry out 5,000 tests which we believe we can achieve in a week or two. What we want to know is the severity of the pandemic in different parts of the city.”
It is an activity that must be done for free because it is in times of pandemic. He said that since in Kigali there are two million people who are not all tested, some are selected until the desired level is achieved.
According to Rwanda Biomedical Center, RBC, “Drivers, motorcyclists and pedestrians will be required to take only five minutes, tested and continue their journey.”
“We urge the people of Kigali to facilitate the work of these workers so that we can contain the pandemic. Let’s continue to work together #We will win # COVID19,” he said.
As of Wednesday, there were 1042 people infected with Coronavirus in Rwanda, including 480 who had recovered and three deaths.
The three-party eWTP (electronic World Trade Platform) partnership agreement was signed to help small and medium-sized businesses in Africa to take part in international electronic-trade.
Alibaba has already posted several Rwandan products on its website, in addition to promoting Rwanda’s tourism products.
Some of Alibaba’s best-selling products include Rwandan coffee, chilli and tea.
According to People’s Daily, a newspaper in China, since Rwanda joined the eWTP at the end of 2018, the importation from Rwanda (mainly coffee and chili) through Alibaba platforms increased by 124% in 2019; and the numbers of consumers purchasing Rwandan tourism products on Fliggy (Alibaba’s tourism site) has more than doubled.
In December 2018, Chinese tourists began to see or pay for their travel needs in Rwanda through e-commerce focused on tourism services, Fliggy.
The site, formerly known as Alitrip, belongs to Alibaba Group, founded by the wealthy Jack Ma. It helps Chinese tourists in the services they need such as getting air tickets, hotels, or paying for their travel expenses.
Since last year, Alibaba has been organizing online events aimed at promoting Rwandan coffee to Chinese consumers.
One such event took place on May 14, this year, and in it, about 1.5 tonnes of roasted Rwandan coffee beans were sold within a minute. It was part of a 10-minute talk show called “National Treasure”
On the market, Gorilla’s Coffee, which costs 500 grams, was priced at 118 yuan, equals to $ 16.63.
In January, a ton of Rwandan coffee was sold in 20 minutes, via Alibaba.
Rwanda’s chili products have been steadily gaining popularity on the Chinese market since the beginning of the year, and according to information from Alibaba, more than 60 tons of the chili has been imported since the beginning of 2019.
Alibaba is the world’s largest online commerce company and home to leading cross-border marketplaces where Chinese consumers look to find the highest quality products from around the world.
Ecobank Group Chairman Emmanuel Ikazoboh said: “We are in the final lap of our five-year ‘Roadmap to Leadership’, having laid and achieved much improved business and operational foundations, leadership in digital products with scalability, strong corporate governance and continued expense discipline. We continue to focus on making substantial strides towards ensuring a return on equity above the cost of capital across the Group despite the challenging economic conditions especially with the COVID-19, whilst also maintaining our commitment to driving economic development and financial integration across Africa. This was my last AGM, as I have now completed my tenure as director and Chairman. As I retire, it has been a privilege for me to have served this great institution and I am particularly proud of what we have achieved. I am further assured and confident that my able successor as Chairman, Mr. Alain Nkontchou will continue to lead the Board in our journey to leadership. The world has its eyes on Africa, and we are positioning our Bank in a way that continues to ensure its commitment to, and development of the continent. I will remain a strong ambassador of this great institution and its ideals”.
Ade Ayeyemi, Chief Executive Officer of Ecobank Group, said: “I must first and foremost, pay tribute to our outgoing Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh, who has served the group diligently during his tenure. On behalf of Management, I extend our immense admiration for the invaluable stewardship, counsel, strategic expertise and oversight that he so willingly provided. I also seize the opportunity to congratulate and welcome on board our incoming Chairman Mr. Alain Nkontchou and look forward to working with him as he leads the Board. 2019 was a year of substantial progress for the Group on multiple fronts as we broadened our innovative product range with our upgraded core banking application platform, increased customer numbers, established new partnerships and initiated programmes to transform customer experience and embed the desired conduct, culture and ethics throughout the organisation. Each of our three business lines improved their profitability and positioned Ecobank for sustainable long-term success. Post-year end, the effectiveness of our digital ecosystem came into sharp focus amid the current global challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, enabling us to provide seamless continuity of service to our customers. The virus is having devastating effects and is causing severe disruption to families, businesses and economies across our sub-Saharan footprint and we continue to provide our unwavering support in these unprecedented and extremely challenging circumstances.”
Shareholders were pleased with ETI’s progress in 2019 and approved all the resolutions at the AGM, which included the election of two new directors – Professor Enase Okonedo and Mr. Simon Dornoo. Professor Enase Okonedo will replace Ms Arunma Oteh who has resigned from the Board.
Shareholders also ratified the co-option of Mr. Deepak Malik, a nominee of Arise B.V, Ms. Zanele Monnakgotla, a nominee of Public Investment Corporation and Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, the representative of Ecowas Bank for Investment & Development as directors,
The mandates of the firms – Deloitte & Touche, Nigeria, and Grant Thornton, Côte d’Ivoire as Joint Auditors were renewed.
The AGM was followed by an Extraordinary General Meeting at which Shareholders voted for the cancellation of the resolution on the consolidation of shares earlier approved on June 17, 2016.
Shareholders also voted for the amendment of Articles of ETI including a provision for the option of electronic general meetings going forward.
The commitment—detailed in a document called a Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG)—was signed at the offices of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning by USAID/Rwanda Mission Director Ms. Leslie Marbury and the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana.
In partnership and alignment with the Government of Rwanda development priorities, the DOAG directly links to the three pillars of Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation 1: Economic Transformation, Social Transformation, and Transformational Governance. An integral part of the funding, as well as USAID’s long standing support to Rwanda, is support to help combat global pandemics like COVID-19 and support the economy from negative effects caused by pandemic-related disruptions.
“With this funding, the United States maintains its commitment to a strong and mutually beneficial partnership with Rwanda as it works to achieve its own goals,” said USAID’s Mission Director Leslie Marbury at the signing.
“This support to Rwanda by the United States Government will prioritize Health, education, private sector growth, and governance which are key areas of our National Strategy for Transformation (NST1). It is much relevant and equally important in implementation of our COVID-19 Socio-Economic Recovery Plan”. said Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning
USAID works closely with the government, civil society, the private sector, and communities to build on decades of progress and advance Rwanda’s self-reliance. The goal of the partnership is to strengthen human capital, foster a robust private sector, and build accountable institutions.
“Movements to/from Rubavu district shall resume,” the cabinet’s statement reads, bringing to an end a month of isolation that the district was in since early June when new COVID-19 cases were reported in Rusizi and Rubavu districts, Western Province raising national concern.
The cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame agreed on maintaining public and private services operational with only essential employees going to the office and the rest working from home as it has been for more than three months.
Domestic tourism and international tourism for visitors traveling with charter flights have also been maintained.
Hotels will also remain operational and will give conference services but following strict hygiene guidelines.
However, public transport and any other movements (except for goods and cargo) are prohibited in zones under lockdown in Rusizi and Kigali.
Noncontact outdoor sports will continue, but gyms remain closed.
Motos will also continue to work respecting hygiene and other precautions guidelines despite fears that were raised a couple of days ago when 2 moto-taxi riders tested COVID-19 positive in Kigali.
The religious weddings that were reopened in the previous cabinet meeting and the civil wedding permitted much earlier will also continue with 30 participants and 15 participants respectively.
Religious ceremonies for burial and funeral were maintained with a maximum of 30 participants.
Church services will remain closed despite an earlier hope that they would open soon.
“Places of worship will remain closed. In the meantime, investment in COVID-19 precautionary and preventive measures is encouraged to allow readiness for reopening after epidemiological assessment,” part of the cabinet’s resolutions in a statement reads.
Churches have an assignment to work hard on preparations which would facilitate the government on deciding to reopen them, should COVID-19 spread slow down.
Meanwhile, bars and gaming activities remain closed while schools, as decided earlier, will open in September 2020.
It was on June 30, 2009 in the evening hours that IGIHE officially launched operations after a year of preparations that had begun in 2008, starting with no much financing but only standing on great ideas.
As the years went by, the number of services provided increased, and the clientele base expanded as confidence and trust among the public bloomed. For the past 11 years, IGIHE has also been at the forefront of the online media.
It began when the use of the Internet was beginning to take root in the country, at a time when radio was the source of information, with only one television. There were few magazines and since they all printed, not everyone could afford to buy them.
IGIHE contributed to fostering a culture of reading in three languages: Kinyarwanda, English and French; mostly Kinyarwanda. With about 51% of Internet users in the country and still rising, it has been a privilege for us to have a large number of readers.
{{How IGIHE has expanded over the past 11 years}}
IGIHE’s journey over the past 11 years has been marked by progress in all corners; having started from almost nothing, with no operational place to today where it has expanded in service delivery.
Over the years, IGIHE has become a demonstration platform to hundreds of young people who have studied journalism and other talented people in the profession, allowing them to pretty show their potential and creativity, through internships and job creation.
IGIHE started with providing one media service, then gradually expanded its operations providing other IT services such as creating and managing websites, providing video production services, audio production and various other business activities. it all comes down to helping our customers marketing their businesses professionally.
For the past 11 years, IGIHE has been at the forefront of Rwanda’s most widely read online news, according to various collections. According to the International Bureau of Statistics, Alexa ranks IGIHE as the 2nd most visited website in Rwanda right after Google.com.
According to Rwandan newspapers, IGIHE is at the forefront in having the largest number of readers, with an average of 150,000 people a day, and often more than 200,000. This has been emphasized by the annual survey conducted by the National Governance Board, RGB, which has media development in its responsibilities; there Rwandans have voted for IGIHE four times in a row as the most popular online magazine.
{{We owe it all to you…}}
The birth of IGIHE and the steps it has already taken are all thanks to you, our readers and the various partners we work with. You are ones to encourage us to continue to work day in and day out by being appreciative of what we do and also sharing with us news of what is going on so that we can improve our services to you.
This 11th anniversary reminds us that we should not take for granted the trust you have placed in us since day one, and that we must continue to build on it to improve our work, and provide better services.
It also reminds us of our role in building a professional media in Rwanda and continuing to contribute to the development of our country, in line with our vision of becoming a market for information about Rwanda for Rwandans and foreigners, and broadening the boundaries of performance, insuring that everyone in the world has access to a reliable source of information for our country. Thank you for being with us on this ongoing journey.
Especially in these extraordinary times our country and the world as a whole are in, we wish you all the best, as we all follow the instructions given by the health authorities to help us continue to fight this COVID-19 pandemic.
{{Happy Anniversary to us all. Work continues!}}
{{{The retirees include 147 commissioned officers. At least 20 left active service on medical grounds.}}}
The official send-off function held at the RNP General Headquarters in Kacyiru, was presided over by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Johnston Busingye.
The event was also attended by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza, Deputy IGPs; Juvenal Marizamunda of Administration and Personnel and Felix Namuhoranye of Operations.
Forty retirees represented others in the special send-off event as part of the national guidelines to prevent mass gathering or congestion to avoid spreading the pandemic of COVID-19.
Minister Busingye thanked them for their contribution in the transformation of the country.
“We are gathered here today to celebrate and thank you for the good service to your country; the resilience and exemplary character that defined your committed service in providing security for your country,” Minister Busingye said.
He reminded them that they are just leaving active service but the country still needs them in many aspects of security and development.
“Retiring with dignity is a pride that others, who were not patient enough, did not achieve. Your being here today makes you heroes for your resilience and sticking to the national and Rwanda National Police values,”
The country and those they have left behind, the Minister said, will continue to sustain and build on what the retirees achieved. He urged them to always strive to preserve what they fought for even in their new life.
“You are now joining a wider family of Rwandans that you were part of but in other capacities. Continue to work with them to build a safer country,” Minister Busingye said, while wishing them a “better life ahead.”
IGP Munyuza thanked the retired officers for their “invaluable contribution” in the policing journey and building a professional force.
“You are leaving active service but your contribution to the country will continue in many other capacities. We worked together well, you served selflessly and you are leaving the RNP family with pride and dignity. Continue to be defined by that character even in your new life,” IGP Munyuza told the officers.
With majority of the senior officers who retired, having participated in the liberation and stopping the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, IGP Munyuza observed that they “stood for the values they fought for” throughout their service and “leaving with the dignity they so deserve.”
He, however, reminded them that serving the country is for both uniformed and non-uniformed Rwandans, urging them to continue to be mentors and opinion leaders to guide and support security and development matters in their respective communities.
“RNP will continue to count on you when there is need to tap from your experience in one way or another. Remember, policing is the way of life in this era and done by both uniformed and the ordinary citizens.”
He reminded them that discipline will always be key in all spheres of life and urged them to be defined by the same in the new life they have started, and always respect the law.
CP (rtd) Faustin Ntirushwa, who spoke on behalf of the retirees, thanked all those who played part and supported them to serve ably and to retire with pride.
“We thank our President, His Excellency Paul Kagame for his strategic guidance; he instilled in us the spirit of patriotism, self-respect and self-reliance; to think big and awake at all times to fight anything that attempts to destabilize the security and wellbeing of Rwandans,” Ntirushwa said.
He added: “These are among the things that guided us in service with the support of RNP leadership that gave us training, equipped us and cared for our welfare. We are happy to have served our country in all ways we could,” he added.
He thanked their families, fellow Police officers, the media and Rwandans in general for the support, and pledged, on behalf of all the retirees, to carry on serving their country in other capacities with integrity, towards sustainable security and development.
The first agreement consists in a €40 million concessional budget loan (about Frw 42.5 billion). It will support the strategy to combat the COVID-19 epidemic and the social recovery plan drawn up by the Rwandan authorities.
Based on WHO recommendations and country health and social protection strategies, the Government of Rwanda has developed its national plans, in order to: (i) prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic with the purpose to preserving and improving the health of the people and (ii) to protect the living conditions of the most vulnerable segments of the population.
AFD’s global support will provide flexibility to allow the government of Rwanda to adapt allocation of resources to the evolution of the disease.
On the Health side, the contribution will support priority measures to prevent transmission of the COVID-19, increase diagnostic capacities (tests, lab capacities), prevent and control infections in health centers (set up of isolation centers, personal protection equipment) and improve the treatment of affected patients (set up of treatment referral points). Overall, these actions will contribute in the long term to strengthening the capacities of the national health system and to improving the socio-economic livelihoods of the communities most affected by COVID-19. The health action plan is implemented by and under the supervision of the Rwanda Biomedical Center.
On the Social Protection side, the AFD facility will help Rwanda mitigate the social effects of COVID-19 on the most affected households by: (i) providing cash transfers to 150.000 vulnerable households, (ii) providing cash for works to 190.000 vulnerable households, (iii) enabling access to the nutrition program to 75.000 households with pregnant women or children under 2 years old, (iv) extending nutrition and financial support programs to more than 212.000 households from the informal sector who are not covered by the social protection system, and (v) supporting the funding of health insurance contributions for more than 1.9 million policyholders to the Rwanda Social Security Board. The Social Protection Plan is implemented by and under the supervision of the Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA).
In addition to the €40 million budget support loan to the Government, AFD is also providing a grant to the tune of €2 million (about Frw 2.1 billion) to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) that will support COVID-19 response to the most vulnerable households in cooperation with the Rwanda Red Cross Society and Rwandan Authorities.
This €42 million total support against COVID-19 is part of the broader #TeamEurope response which is the tangible expression of the European Union Member States solidarity to help partner countries deal with the COVID crisis. In that respect, France launched a €1.2 billion initiative in response to the worldwide public health crisis caused by the global pandemics: “Health in Common”.
A second grant agreement was signed, to the tune of € 5.8 million (about Frw 6 billion), in support of the country’s vocational training system’s development. The project will increase the employability of Rwandan youth by strengthening their technical and linguistic skills through the inclusion of modules to reinforce the teaching of French. It thus responds to the Rwandan authorities’ strategy to make the country a hub for regional growth and languages.
The funding will also contribute to the implementation of a territorial plan in the district of Rulindo, which brings together those involved in the education, entrepreneurship and vocational integration of young people. Rwanda Polytechnic, a key player in vocational training, will be in charge of the implementation of the project.
An extra € 1.7 million will be provided by AFD to French operator Expertise France, to provide technical assistance to Rwanda Polytechnic, which will bring France’s total support to € 7.5 million.
These financing agreements, to a tune of €49.5 million, are in line with France’s cooperation policy, defined around the following five thematic priorities: the fight against vulnerability, education, climate, gender equality and health. This goes together with two central and cross-cutting concerns: the environment and social cohesion.
“As part of the unprecedented global solidarity drive to address the COVID-19 health crisis in Africa, AFD is fully committed to a targeted response to the health challenges posed by this pandemic. Given the emergency situation, the Agency is mobilizing all its teams and resources to provide fair, rapid and appropriate responses to the needs expressed by our partners, with the priority objective of strengthening health systems and supporting the actors engaged in this fight that concerns us all. One year to the day after my first visit to Rwanda in June 2019, I am happy to see the progress made in reviving AFD’s activity with the government of Rwanda. These are our first commitments in sovereign financing after about thirty years. They are part of a revival dynamic for our two countries partnership, at the service of the Rwandan population and in particular their youth”, says Rémy Rioux, AFD Chief Executive Officer.
“The signing of these financing agreements marks an important step in the revival of relations between France and Rwanda. I am profoundly delighted. The € 40 million budget loan demonstrates France’s determination to stand by Rwanda to address the health aspects of the COVID-19 epidemic and to support social measures that benefit the populations most affected by the economic impact of the crisis. This loan is part of the commitment of Team Europe (the European Union and its Member States) to support Rwanda’s determined action against COVID-19. The € 5.8 million grant materialises our desire to support Rwanda’s ambitious development strategy by backing the vocational training sector in order to promote access to employment for young Rwandan men and women. I hope that AFD’s reengagement in Rwanda will continue in the spirit of partnership that presides over Franco-Rwandan relations” says Jérémie Blin, Chargé d’affaires of the French Republic to Rwanda.
{{About Agence Française de Développement:}}
The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group funds, supports and accelerates the transition to a fairer and more sustainable world. Focusing on climate, biodiversity, peace, education, urban development, health and governance, our teams carry out more than 4,000 projects in France’s overseas departments and territories and another 115 countries. In this way, we contribute to the commitment of France and French people to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The budget will be funded by 40% from the state treasury; 40% from taxes and duties levied by the City of Kigali while the rest will be supported by development partners.
Infrastructure projects will account for about 51% of the budget, while other projects will account for 49%.
It will include roads and alleys that will first be completed, improve traffic in Kigali City, light various roads, and build more than 30 kilometers of new roads.
The budget will also cater for relocation of residents in high risk zones in Nyabisindu, Gatenga, and Nyagatovu as well as construction of homes for the needy.
Poverty alleviation programs will account for 4.9% of the budget, with 49,000 new jobs created and co-operatives set up to uplift members’ livelihoods.
In other projects, this budget will find construction of 1,634 classrooms, 2263 toilets and three new health facilities.
The Mayor of the City of Kigali, Pudence Rubingisa, said the 19% reduction was based on loans and donations from donors that had not returned to this year’s budget.
Last year there was a major 54-kilometer road project worth Rwf 29 billion.
He said that in general, the revenue of the City of Kigali and its revenue will increase.
The activities of the City of Kigali are planned in the budget based on the national vision but especially on the vision to have Kigali as a model city by 2050.
Over the past two weeks, many Rwandans including senior government officials, media personalities, professionals, academicians and influencers, among others, have joined the challenge to educate and influence the general public on safer practices to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera (@RNPSpokesperson), on Monday twitted: “So far, the only solution we have for fighting Coronavirus is to follow the instructions! Those placed under #GumaMuRugo (lockdown), be compliant; those in different tasks and errands, respect the safety directives.
I respect it too; #NtabeAriNjye to be infected or to infect others with Coronavirus. Be responsive, add your voice.”
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Johnston Busingye (@BusingyeJohns), said: “Covid-19 statistics are available every night. We know how the virus is spread.
The reason why cases continue to be detected in new places is because you and I did not comply with the recommended precautionary measures. Watch out! Beware! Beware! Beware. #SimbeariNjye.”
The Minister of Sports, Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju (@AuroreMimosa), reminded the general public to respect the sports guidelines.
“Fight Covid-19, #NtabeAriNjye; don’t be the reason for sports activities, once again, to be allowed only indoor. When you are in sports activities, follow the directives; leave at least one-meter distance between two people. Remember, sports in groups are prohibited,” Minister Munyangaju said.
Mugisha Nathan (@nathism2), the founder and Chief Executive Officer at Bliss creations produced a 45-second video that educates the public on safety practices.
“I produce 45 seconds video every day in [an] initiative that I called 45 stories for change. Today (June 28), I made a video on @Rwandapolice program called #ntabearinjye,” Mugisha twitted.
Robert McKenna Cyubahiro (@RobCyubahiro), a presenter at Magic FM, said: “… help Police in #NtabeAriNjye. Help your Akagali (Cell) in sensitizing youth on the need to protect themselves against Covid-19…”
Sushona (@Charitebrown) observed that most people wear facemasks because they are forced rather than making it an individual safety choice.
He said: “[The] fact is… people wear masks because of police not [because of] Covid-19. Much respect to POLICE. #NtabeAriNjye.”
“#NtabeAriNjye, let’s keep the spirit and we shall overcome,” one Isaiah (@Isaiah80721250), twitted.
To Yves Emmanuel Turatsinze (@Turatsinze_Emma), he reminded Rwandans to keep on exercising caution and keeping measures intended to restrain the spread of this virus. “#NtabeAriNjye, who continues spreading Covid-19 in Rwanda.”
RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera commended the role the public continues to play to make NtabeAriNjye campaign a reality.
“Every voice counts. We laud those, who have made NtabeAriNjye campaign their responsibility to supplement national efforts in combating the pandemic of Coronavirus. It is through such responsive spirit of ownership that we will win,” CP Kabera said.
He added: “The campaign reminds each and every one of us to wash our hands with soap and clean water regularly or to use alcohol-based hand sanitizer; to avoid unnecessary movements and journeys; to respect social distance
