Premier visits grenade victims

KIGALI - Prime Minister Bernard Makuza yesterday visited the Kigali University Teaching Hospital of (CHUK) where he showed his support to victims of the Friday evening grenade attack. He was accompanied by the Health Minister Richard Sezibera. Two people died and were 26 injured - six critically - when a grenade exploded at a busy bus terminal in Giporoso, Remera, a suburb in Kigali City. The Premier talked to each patient during his visit and asked them to be strong during this time of pain. Speaking to the press after the visit, he said that it was very unfortunate incident that has affected innocent people. “These kinds of barbaric acts targeting innocent civilians will not weaken us. We are going to arrest the perpetrators of the attacks, we shall look for them wherever they are and get them,” he said. “I send my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.”The Premier thanked the medical staff and security organs for their intervention and support they showed. “Most of the people who are behind the attacks are known, and some of them have been arrested, and those who have not been arrested will be brought to book and face justice,” Makuza explained.He said that the government is doing all its best to ensure maximum security in the country and called upon the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious people or objects. According to Perpetua Mbabazi, the Director of Nursing at CHUK, five patients have been discharged and they are remaining with seven who are recovering.“Right now we have seven patients from the grenade incidents. We believe that in about the next four or five days, they will also be discharged,” she said. Other grenade victims who were transferred to Kanombe Military Hospital are in a stable condition and they will soon be discharged, according to medical officials. Jacqueline Uwanyirigira One of the patients who spoke to The New Times, said the Premier’s visit gave them courage and strength because they felt loved and cared for. “I came here in a terrible condition, but now I am feeling fine and I have improved,” she said. Kigali Mayor, Dr. Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, also visited the grenade victims at the same hospital and she said that Kigali City will cover the medical bills and burial expenses to those who lost their lives. “The condition of the people we have visited is quite encouraging. I hope they are going to recover soon,” she said. Ends