They are part of 25 cows, which were reported stolen in Nyagatare, Gatsibo and Kayonza districts between July and September, this year.
About 63 people connected to the theft have been arrested in the same period.
The RNP spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Boniface Rutikanga, said: “Suspects are in four categories; those who steal cows from farms including herdsmen, those who slaughter them, those who transport them and buyers. We have been able to break these chains due to the strong partnership and information sharing with the public.”
He added that increased operations have also led to the arrest of drug traffickers and smugglers.
“Due to these increased operations, drug traffickers and smugglers have resorted to spreading rumours of insecurity and sometimes these gangs attempting to assault people as a way of causing fear so that they do not share information on their cross-border criminal activities.
Some of them have been arrested and the search for other members of the ring is still underway,” ACP Rutikanga said.
The medal pinning ceremony for 180 officers of Rwanda Formed Police Unit Three (RWAFPU 3-2) deployed in Bangassou, was presided over by the UN Police Sector Commander East, Abigail Unaeze.
It was also attended by the CAR Governor-East, Victor Bissekoin, force commander in eastern region, Innocent Masse Noudjoutar, local grassroots leaders and peacekeepers from other contributing countries.
Madam Unaeze thanked the decorated officers for their professionalism and serving with pride and courage.
“These eleven months spent within MINUSCA were certainly intense for you, but we celebrate your sacrifice in overcoming the mission challenges to bring about peace and stability in this country,” Unaeze said.
She added: “I will not ignore your many community and humanitarian actions for the benefit of the population such as blood donation, medicine aid, water distribution to the vulnerable population; these define the mandate of protection of civilians.”
The RWAFPU3-2 Contingent Commander, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Methode Munyaneza, thanked MINUSCA, CAR leadership, local leaders, Bangassou residents as well as other peacekeepers for the support and partnership in accomplishing the mandate.
He also thanked the officers under his command for the discipline and commitment to international service since their deployment in November 2023.
Rwanda maintains four Police contingents under MINUSCA; three Formed Police Units and a Protection Support Unit (PSU).
Rwanda FPU-1 and PSU operate in the capital Bangui while FPU-2 and FPU-3 are deployed in Kaga-Bandoro and Bangassou, respectively.
The PSU is largely charged with ensuring protection for high profile government and UN officials, including the Prime Minister, President of National Assembly, Minister of State in charge of Justice, and MINUSCA Head of Police component, among others.
In an official statement released on the evening of October 16, 2024, the RDF responded to three specific allegations made by journalist Barbara Debout, dismissing them as false.
One claim involved the alleged rape of “Jeanne,” a vegetable and fruit vendor, by a Rwandan peacekeeper at the Bangui base in 2023. The RDF clarified that their peacekeeping bases in CAR do not admit unregistered civilians without official business, making the claim impossible.
Another accusation concerned the alleged rape of “twenty-eight-year-old Grace” in the northern town of Paoua. The RDF emphasized that no Rwandan peacekeepers have ever been deployed in that area, rejecting the claim outright.
The third allegation involved the rape of “two women in Ndassima,” a location 400 kilometers from Bangui. The RDF stated that neither Rwandan bilateral forces nor Rwandan MINUSCA peacekeepers had ever been stationed in Ndassima, making the accusations baseless.
RDF stressed that sexual violence against civilians by peacekeepers is unacceptable and that it takes all accusations against its troops seriously.
However, they maintained that the claims presented by the journalist were fabricated.
RDF also pointed out that, by the author’s own account of comments from displaced civilians in Bria, sexual assaults that had been occuring previously stopped when Rwandan troops were deployed in the area.
Highlighting the discipline and integrity of its peacekeepers, the RDF underscored that Rwandan troops have upheld their mission with respect for local communities and adherence to the core values of civilian protection and the Responsibility to Protect (R2P).
Over the past 20 years, Rwandan peacekeepers have been recognized for their effectiveness and reputation.
“The RDF will continue to support peace and stability in the Central African Republic and wherever else Rwandan peacekeepers are deployed,” the RDF concluded.
The Rwandan troops were deployed to assist the Central African Republic (CAR) when armed groups in the north united to form the rebel group Séléka, which attempted an unsuccessful coup d’état.
Rwandan soldiers have been present in CAR since early 2014. Initially part of the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA), the mission later transitioned to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), which began on April 10, 2014.
Their mandate includes protecting civilians, UN assets, and the President of CAR.
In 2020, Rwanda sent additional troops to the Central African Republic through bilateral agreements between the two countries.
In April 2022, CAR President Prof. Archange Touadéra commended the RDF for its exceptional role in restoring peace and stability, awarding medals to Rwandan troops for their outstanding contributions during challenging times.
The medal award ceremony took place at the office of President, Palais dela Renaissance, in Bangui capital city and was attended by different CAR government officials and the Chief of General Staff of Central African Republic Armed Forces.
Speaking at the farewell ceremony held in the parliamentary building, where he was accompanied by First Lady Jeannette Kagame, President Kagame honored Col (Rtd) Dr. Karemera ‘s legacy.
The event, attended by senior government officials and family members, included a moment of silence in remembrance of the late colonel.
Reflecting on his connection with Col (Rtd) Dr. Karemera, President Kagame recalled knowing him since the 1970s, describing him as one of the first individuals to envision a plan for Rwandans in exile to return home.
Col (Rtd) Dr. Karemera’s commitment to Rwanda was highlighted as a cornerstone in the movement that helped Rwandans in exile, from neighboring countries and beyond, return and rebuild their nation.
“I know him well. He played a significant role and sacrificed himself to the best of his ability, just as he did when working with others,” he remarked.
When the Liberation Struggle began, Col (Rtd) Dr. Karemera stood with other patriotic Rwandans and contributed significantly to the cause.
Even though he is no longer alive, Kagame said, he lived to witness the impact of his sacrifices and efforts for national unity and progress.
The President emphasized Col (Rtd) Dr. Karemera’s dedication, noting that despite external influences attempting to sway him from his mission, he remained steadfast in his commitment to Rwanda’s development.
Kagame expressed gratitude for Col (Rtd) Dr. Karemera’s service, urging those present to not only mourn his death but also celebrate his life and legacy.
Col (Rtd) Dr. Karemera’s brother, Col (Rtd) Kamili Karege, spoke on behalf of the family, providing insights into his life.
He thanked the government for its unwavering support during his brother’s battle with cancer, which he fought for 13 years.
Born on May 20, 1954, in Kayonza District, Col (Rtd) Dr. Karemera fled to Uganda with his family in 1962 where he pursued his primary and secondary education.
He later pursued a degree in human medicine at Makerere University and worked in various hospitals in Kenya before joining the National Resistance Army in Uganda.
In 1990, Col (Rtd) Dr. Karemera joined the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) during the Liberation Struggle, where he led medical services.
Following the end of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Col (Rtd) Dr. Karemera became Rwanda’s first Minister of Health.
He also served as the Minister of Education, Rwanda’s Ambassador to South Africa, a senator, and a member of the National Elders Advisory Forum prior to [his demise->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/former-minister-col-rtd-dr-joseph-karemera-passes-on].
Julienne Uwacu, Second Vice Chairperson of Unity Club Intwararumuri, praised Col (Rtd) Dr. Karemera’s contributions to national development, stating that his legacy would always be cherished.
His funeral service preceded by a mass at Regina Pacis before he was laid to rest.
Col (Rtd) Dr. Karemera is survived by his wife, Anne Numutali, and their seven children.
The malaria vaccine would be introduced in April 2025 targeting children aged from six months to five years, said the ministry in a statement.
According to the ministry, for every 10 sick people in Uganda, three have malaria, while for every 10 children below five years old admitted to the hospital, six have malaria and may die. Among every 100 pregnant women, 20 suffer malaria and risk losing their babies and even their own lives.
“The introduction of the malaria vaccine will strengthen the government’s efforts in further reducing the incidence and severity of malaria and contribute to overall childhood survival and reduction of infant/child mortality,” the ministry said.
Data from the health ministry showed that malaria kills between 70,000 to 100,000 people in Uganda annually, mostly pregnant mothers and children.
The life-threatening disease is responsible for 30 to 40 percent of outpatient hospital visits, 15 to 20 percent of admissions, and 10 percent of inpatient deaths.
The trial, the first of its kind globally, is being conducted in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO). It involves testing the safety and efficacy of two treatments: Remdesivir, a drug already used to treat COVID-19, and MBP091, a special antibody designed to fight the Marburg virus.
According to WHO, the trial is the result of two years of work by nearly 200 researchers, developers, Ministry of Health officials, and global partners, including representatives from 17 African countries at risk of filovirus outbreaks, such as Ebola and Marburg.
In addition to the treatments, Rwanda recently rolled out vaccinations for frontline health workers and high-risk individuals.
So far, over 700 vaccine doses have been administered. The first batch of 700 doses, provided by the Sabin Vaccine Institute, arrived just nine days after the outbreak was declared. A second shipment of 1,000 doses followed on October 13, 2024.
Since the outbreak was confirmed late last month, Rwanda has reported 62 cases and 15 deaths from over 4,000 tests conducted. Minister of Health Sabin Nsanzimana has been providing daily updates on the outbreak.
According to the minister, all new confirmed cases have been within the hospital cluster in Kigali and their contacts, and all are under isolation and treatment. There is no evidence of community transmission.
The Marburg virus, which causes hemorrhagic fever, is believed to originate from fruit bats and spreads through close contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, rash, chest pain, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and unexplained bleeding.
To prevent infection, health experts recommend strict hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing and avoiding contact with personal items or bodily fluids of individuals showing symptoms of Marburg virus disease.
The spokesperson for Traffic and Road Safety, Superintendent of Police (SP) Emmanuel Kayigi, said the operations that started last week, target taxi hires or rental cars that have been turned into public service vehicles, school buses that also conduct public transport and regional buses that operate in town service.
“It has been observed that some transport companies or vehicles operate contrary to their transport authorization license and routes, which affects other transport companies and cause disorder. As a result, Police and RURA are conducting operations to enforce this transport policy. So far, 45 vehicles have been impounded,” SP Kayigi said.
He added that rental cars especially 7-seaters have resorted to town service transport.
He said: “Some buses going to the Eastern Province, for example, load passengers going to Remera or Kabuga from Nyabugogo. When they are coming back, they load people in Kabuga or Remera going to Nyabugogo.
“The same goes for buses from the Southern Province, that opt for town service as they approach Ruliba Clays. Some school buses also conduct public transport when they are not transporting students. This affect companies that are licensed to conduct town service transport.”
The win was a much-needed boost, as Rwanda aims to claim a spot in the tournament after several setbacks in the qualifying rounds. With goals from Nshuti Innocent and Captain Bizimana Djihadi, scored just two minutes apart, the victory was a testament to Amavubi’s fighting spirit and their refusal to bow out.
The game started on an intense note with Gilbert Mugisha attempting the first shot for Rwanda in the second minute, though it was comfortably saved by Benin’s goalkeeper.
By the 7th minute, Emmanuel Imanishimwe also tried his luck, but once again, Benin’s Souke Marcel was up to the challenge, catching the ball effortlessly.
Despite several promising opportunities and set pieces in the first ten minutes, Amavubi struggled to capitalize on these chances. Missed opportunities, particularly by forward Gilbert Mugisha, left fans frustrated as the team worked to find its rhythm.
In the 25th minute, a foul against Imanishimwe earned Rwanda a free kick, but the effort yielded no result. The first half saw Amavubi dominate possession, especially in the final 15 minutes, keeping Benin on their back foot and forcing the game into their half.
However, Rwanda’s dominance wasn’t reflected on the scoreboard. As the half drew to a close, Niyigena Clement received a yellow card, and Benin delivered a crushing blow with a goal from Andreas William in the 43rd minute.
His perfectly placed shot put Benin ahead, sending the teams into halftime with a 1-0 score line in favor of the visitors. Rwanda’s hopes of qualifying seemed to fade as the first half ended with that narrow lead for Benin, but the second half told a different story.
Determined not to let the AFCON dream slip away, Amavubi came out stronger. The pressure mounted, and in the 75th minute, Nshuti Innocent brought the home crowd to life by scoring the equalizer with a tap in shot.
The excitement in the stadium was palpable, and the fans’ energy only grew when, just a minute later, Captain Bizimana Djihadi stepped up to take a penalty, coolly converting it in the 77th minute to give Rwanda the lead.
The thunderous celebration that followed saw top government officials acknowledging the team’s performance. The fans erupted in jubilation as Rwanda turned the game around in an extraordinary two-minute burst.
The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, with the crowd throwing their full support behind the team as they held on to their slim lead.
Benin fought back fiercely, pushing for an equalizer in the final minutes of the game. However, Rwanda’s defense held strong, with Fiacre in goal making critical saves to deny Benin any chance of leveling the score. In the four minutes of added time, Amavubi managed to resist Benin’s efforts, securing a well-deserved victory.
The tension wasn’t only on the field. After the final whistle, officials from Benin expressed their frustration with referee Andofetra Rakotojaona, accusing him of questionable decisions, especially regarding the penalty. Security had to intervene to escort the referee off the field safely, but the controversy did little to dampen Rwanda’s celebrations.
In the other Group games, the fate of some teams remained uncertain. Nigeria, scheduled to play Libya, faced complications upon their arrival. With no clear directives from the hosts, Nigeria decided to retreat after just a day. CAF later confirmed the postponement of the match, stating in an official release.
“The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 qualifier fixture between Libya and Nigeria will not take place as scheduled tonight. The matter will be referred to competent CAF bodies,” CAF said.
After the match, Rwanda’s head coach, Torsten Frank, spoke about the challenges his team had faced and praised the players for their resilience.
“You see the quality of the other players. I told my players, I told them our opponents are five times better than us, but good enough our boys used their body physique to protect the ball. They knew that the higher you come, the better if you know your opponent,” said Torsten.
He continued, “I’m happy about the result, and I had told them to utilize any empty space. I was especially happy with the boys in the second half. Nshuti did a great job today, and the way he was protecting and saving the ball was very impressive.”
With this vital win, Rwanda’s dream of qualifying for AFCON 2025 is alive and well. The team’s ability to turn the tide in such a crucial match serves as a beacon of hope for the remaining games in the qualification campaign. Amavubi Stars have shown that, despite the odds, they are determined to fight until the very end.
The 22-page report alleges torture and ill-treatment of prisoners and detainees by officials at Nyarugenge Prison in Kigali, Rubavu Prison in the Western Province, and the Kwa Gacinya detention facility.
In a swift rejoinder, Rwanda Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo rubbished the claims, highlighting HRW’s lack of credibility due to its history of false and malicious reports.
“Human Rights Watch does not have a monopoly on human rights and has repeatedly shown itself to be neither serious nor credible. They continue to target Rwanda with fabricated stories, just as they did in 2017 when several Rwandans, whom HRW falsely claimed had been ‘summarily executed’ for stealing goats and fruit, appeared alive at a press conference held by Rwanda’s National Commission for Human Rights,” Makolo stated, referring to HRW’s past report titled “All Thieves Must Be Killed”.
The 2017 report alleged that 37 people were killed by police officers, soldiers, reservists, and members of the District Administration Security Support Organ (DASSO) in the districts of Rubavu and Rutsiro over ‘suspected theft and petty crimes’.
It was later established that all the aforementioned individuals were alive, following an investigation carried out by the National Commission for Human Rights.
In the latest report, titled “‘They Threw Me in the Water and Beat Me’: The Need for Accountability for Torture in Rwanda”, HRW claims that judges in Rwanda ignored complaints from current and former detainees about unlawful detention and ill-treatment.
The organization purports to have relied on testimonies from 28 individuals interviewed between 2019 and 2024 and demands that the government conduct a comprehensive investigation into torture in Rwanda’s prisons.
Ironically, in the same report where HRW accused the government of inaction, they lauded the trial of six prison officials and 12 detainees who were convicted over the assault of inmates in Rubavu Prison in April this year.
HRW has severally been criticized for making false reports motivated by political reasons.
In March 2022, the government spokesperson rejected a report accusing the Rwandan government of abusive prosecutions against opposition members, journalists, and commentators based on their speech and opinions. Makolo termed the report, titled “Rwanda: Wave of Free Speech Prosecutions”, as biased.
In September 2023, HRW released another report accusing Rwanda of abusing the rights of transgender people, sex workers, and street children.
At the time, Rwanda explained the report was a calculated attempt to harm a strategic sector of Rwanda’s economy with fabricated allegations.
Three young girls from Kapuri Primary School fondly recalled their first encounter with Rwandan soldiers. As they exited their school, they were greeted by the soldiers in Kinyarwanda, a language they had never heard before but quickly embraced, repeating the greetings at home.
Today, these girls—Sarah, Helen, and Charity—are in the 8th grade, preparing for their national exams. With aspirations of pursuing careers in science and theology, they attribute much of their success to the improved school environment, noting the trees, flowers, and overall cleanliness.
The school in Kapuri, built in September 2014 by Rwandan soldiers who noticed students studying under a tree, has become a beacon of hope for the community.
What began as a makeshift learning space under trees has transformed into a fully functioning educational institution, officially opened in 2015. This initiative is just one example of the positive impact the Rwandan soldiers have had as part of their peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, echoing similar contributions they have made in other countries since their involvement in Darfur in 2004.
The school, once home to 200 students, now serves 540, a testament to its growing reputation. Parents recognize its quality, with one parent noting that if children aren’t registered early, they risk missing out on enrollment. As he said, the school’s popularity highlights the profound changes brought about by the Rwandan troops’ involvement.
Rwanda is one of the largest contributors to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, with over 2,500 soldiers and 400 police officers deployed. South Sudan, a nation that has long been troubled by conflict, has benefited greatly from this assistance.
After gaining independence in 2011, peace was short-lived, and civil war between factions led by President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar caused widespread devastation, displacing millions and affecting vital resources like oil.
Lieutenant Colonel Simon Kabera, Deputy Spokesperson for the RDF, reflected on the stark difference between 2016, when he first served in South Sudan, and today. “In 2016, there was war. Now, people are returning, and life is returning to normal in the city,” he said.
Since their arrival in 2014, Rwandan troops have undertaken various community projects alongside their peacekeeping duties. Lt. Col. Kabera emphasized, “Our primary duty is to protect civilians, but we also carry out community projects like building schools.”
In addition to constructing educational facilities, the troops provide essential items such as stoves, water kiosks, and sports equipment to local communities.
During a recent community outreach event, Rwandan soldiers distributed school supplies and hygiene products, including sanitary pads for girls.
Suzie Nyokajong, an English teacher at Kapuri Primary and Nursery School, expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the improvements.
“We faced many challenges, but thanks to the support of the Rwandan troops, things have changed. Our school is now clean, and our students are performing well,” she said.
Nyokajong also noted the increase in both students and teachers, adding that the beautification efforts, with trees and flowers planted around the school, have created an environment that promotes learning and personal growth.
The ongoing peace and development initiatives led by the Rwandan troops continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of South Sudanese communities, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of peacekeeping efforts beyond the battlefield.
