Rwandan newspapers highlight trends in COVID-19, child abuse during lockdown

25 Avril 2020

Kigali, Rwanda, April 25 (Infosplusgabon) - Rwandan newspapers this week were awash with stories and comments on the recorded new cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus), which have been attributed to cross-border movement by truck drivers.

The semi-private English daily 'KT Press' reported that cross-border truck drivers, especially from Tanzania and Kenya, have been cited as the latest threat of importers of the deadly virus into neighbouring countries.

While Rwanda closed its borders earlier in March to avert the spread of the new coronavirus, cargo trucks and planes ferrying goods are allowed to enter the country but concerns have been increasing in the region with truck drivers finding themselves in the spotlight.  Rwanda has 176 positive cases.

Tanzania and Kenya, the main channels from where Rwanda imports her goods, are yet to put in place full lockdowns despite increases in coronavirus numbers.

Kenya currently has 336 cases while Tanzania has reported 284 cases, with no regular updates coming from the East African country.

In another article, the English daily The New Times reported that the Rwandan government has finally allowed for the clearance of all goods that had been stuck in warehouses amidst the ongoing lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Under the headline "Government okays clearance of goods stuck in warehouses amidst lockdown" the newspaper reported that this measure is not limited to one of the largest logistics firms in the country, which handles a significant share of imports and exports out of Rwanda.

"Normal storage charges as per tariff will start from 19 May 2020,” the logistics firm, which handles a significant portion of Rwanda's cargo, told the newspaper.

Apart from new confirmed COVID-19 cases and recoveries, a major private independent daily 'The Chronicles' reported another hidden face of the virus lockdown. Since government ordered total lockdown on 21 March, the authorities have received dozens of reports of alleged abuse of children.

The newspaper quoted reports by Gender and Family Promotion ministry, which indicate that so far there are 24 cases of children being defiled and another five cases of battery and causing bodily harm.

Considering that parents prefer to keep quiet when their children are abused especially during lockdown period or some go into negotiations with abusers, the numbers that government has of defilement are usually small, the newspaper said.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/ASD/GABON2020

© Copyright  Infosplusgabon