Rwanda National Police

Families in Bugesera had for a long been marred with wrangles are now coming forward praising Rwanda National Police (RNP) for providing sensitization to them in a bid to overcome domestic violence, home neglect, child abuse, gender-based-violence (GBV) and other crimes which emerge from domestic wrangles.

This follows a Community Policing outreach programme conducted by RNP in Bugesera district on August 03, to reach out to families with disputes, in a bid to help them overcome and settle differences before they escalate into crime.

The three families that police reached out to in the district belonged to Mathias Sezibera, 37 and his wife Beatrice Mukanzamurambaho, Mbonigaba Kaboyi and his wife Claire Namahoro, and Semana Jean Marie and his wife Marthe Ntibaziyandemye.

Mukanzamurambaho, who benefited from Police’s unification initiative, said that previously, she felt like a prisoner in her family and had nowhere to run to – until police reached out to discuss with her family where major issues with her husband arose from ad how the two can mend ties.

 “My husband was not physically violent, but he treated me in a traumatizing manner. We quarreled a lot and even the neighbors reported our situation to local leaders. I felt that at any one time, something dangerous was going to happen between us,” she said.

“I am very grateful to police which provided good counseling to us; They encouraged us to overcome our challenges amicably without violence. They pledged to follow up and ensure that our situation is better, and I am certain that we are already better.”

The other two families echoed the similar excitement for being reconciled, while urging RNP to continue this initiative in a bid to ensure community safety and security.

“My husband had abandoned me and my children because of a dispute we had quarreled over. When police found out about this, they tracked him and advised him to return home. Today, we both had a session with police officers, who urged us to always seek what is best for our children. We both realized that this is the right thing to do,” Nawamahoro said.

The District Community Liaison Officer of Bugesera, Assistant Inspector of Police Cyprian Uwitonze, noted that crimes sometimes are committed due to family disputes, and it is the role of police to sensitize communities about these crimes and ensure that they are prevented before they occur.

“Curbing family disputes and domestic violence is paramount in Community Policing This is why RNP puts a lot of emphasis on ensuring that families are safe from wrangles that may escalate into crimes,” she said.

“When we reached out to families, we realized that most of the disputes they have are issues that can be solved if they just discuss and find fair ground that is favorable to their relationships and the wellbeing of their children. So we provide mediation and they tell us their exact challenges, and we provided solutions that they can choose to follow.”

In mid last month, RNP reconciled 35 wrecked families in Ngororero, through its family reconciliation initiative.

While conducting the program, well trained police officers urge partners to speak out about the root causes of their misunderstandings and use that as a basis to resolve the problem.