Rwanda National Police

Trafficking, manufucture, sell and use of non-biodegradable plastic bags is illegal and punishable by law in Rwanda.

To enforce the policy and the law on the outlawed products, Rwanda National Police (RNP) has strengthened its operations against traffickers and in shops where they are used for packaging.

On Friday, November 26, RNP arrested a woman identified as Olive Ujeneza, in Busasamana Sector, Rubavu District with 44 cartons (4,300 pieces) of polythene bags

"Ujeneza is a suspected major dealer in plastic bags and supplying traders in Busasamana and other parts of Rubavu," CIP Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said.

He added that Ujeneza's arrest followed a tip-off by some reidents in Kinyababa village, Gasazi cell of Busasamana sector where she was supplying plastic bags to traders.
 
"Further information gathered indicate that she had a big quantity of plastic bags, which she had already sold. At the time of her arrest, she had already received Frw20, 000 from some traders whom she sold the polythene bags," said CIP Karekezi.

Ujeneza sneaks the outlawed plastic bags into Rwanda from DR Congo.
 
Manufacturing, use, importation or sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items are prohibited under article 3 of law N? 17/2019 of 10/08/2019 relating to the prohibition of manufacturing, importation, use, and sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items in Rwanda.

In article 10, 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 11, a wholesaler of plastic carry bags and single use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Frw700, 000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.

In article 12, a retailer of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Frw300, 000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags. 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.