Rwanda National Police

Police in Nyagatare District have seized 2000 pieces of non-biodegradable plastic bags from the trafficker identified as Juma Mugisha.

Mugisha, 20, was intercepted with the outlawed products in the night of Friday, September 18, in Rwagikunengwa Village of Gataba Cell in Kiyombe Sector.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson of the Eastern region, said that Mugisha was intercepted by a security patrol at about 3am as he crossed into Rwanda with the bundles of polythene bags, from Uganda through ungazetted border point.

"At about 3am on Friday, members of security organs that were on patrol, intercepted Mugisha just after he crossed into Rwanda from Uganda through a porous border carrying a sack full of cartons of plastic bags, which totalled to 2000 pieces," CIP Twizeyimana said.

"Following his arrest, it came to light that he is a suspected major trafficker and dealer in polythene bags who was implicated in similar unlawful acts in the recent past and supplying mainly traders in Nyagatare town," he added.

The suspect and exhibits were taken to Nyagatare holding center where he will be screened for COVID-19 before further legal actions are taken for the alleged crime.

The spokesperson warned people dealing in plastic bags and advised traders to use the approved environmental friendly and hygienic packaging bags instead of indulging in such criminal acts.

In July, Police in Nyagatare also arrested another man in Buziba, sneaking 18,600 pieces of polythene bags into Rwanda from Uganda

Article 10 of law N° 17/2019 of 10/08/2019 states that any person who imports plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to the dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items, and to an administrative fine equivalent to ten times the value of those plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items.

In article 12, a retailer of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Rwf300, 000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items