Rwanda National Police

A man identified as Jean Baptiste Uwihanganye, 39, was arrested on Sunday in Gicumbi District for allegedly cutting trees in a gazetted forest in Rwamiko Sector.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Alexis Rugigana, the Police spokesperson for the Northern region, said that Uwihanganye was reported by local residents.

“At about 6:40pm, Police in Gicumbi responded to a call from residents reporting a man, who was cutting trees in a gazetted forest in Rwamiko, and Uwihanganye was arrested red-handed felling the trees,” CIP Rugigana said.

“He had already cut a number of trees at the time, and we suspect he has been into this illegal practice for a while. In most cases, trees are cut to burn charcoal and selling in communities,” he added.

“Residents also pointed at Uwihanganye to have been cutting trees in their forests at night to sell and in most cases he spends money abusing alcohol,” the spokesperson explained.

He thanked the residents for their “environmental activism” and urged them to maintain the spirit against any environmental degradation activities.

“Cutting trees is authorized by local leaders, contrary to that you will be breaking the law and you will be arrested,” CIP Rugigana warned.