Rwanda National Police

Police in Gicumbi District have seized 125kgs of plastic bags that were being trafficked into the country from the neighboring Uganda, through porous borders.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Alexis Rugigana, the Police spokesperson for the Northern region, said the non-biodegradable products were seized Friday from two suspects in Cyumba Sector, Rwankonjo Cell, Kagera Village.

“There was information about two people, who had sneaked into the country with quantities of plastic bags, through illegal borders in Cyumba Sector. Police responded and during operations they arrested one suspect with 50kgs of polythene bags; the second suspect, who was trafficking 75kgs of polythene bags manage to escape abandoning the illegal luggage,” CIP Rugigana said.

Article 7 of the law relating to the prohibition of manufacturing, importation, use and sale of polythene bags in Rwanda, states that industries which manufacture polythene bags, commercial companies or any person found in possession of prohibited polythene bags without autorisation in their stores, manufacturing or using them, shall be punished by an imprisonment of six to twelve months and a fine of Rwf100, 000 to Rwf500, 000 or one of the two penalties.
 
The same article also states that “any unauthorized person who sells polythene bags shall be punished by a fine ranging from Rwf10, 000 to Rwf300, 000.   
 
Any unauthorized person who uses polythene bags also faces a fine of Rwf5000 to Rwf100, 000.

CIP Rugigana called for continued information sharing on anyone involved in trafficking of plastic bags into the country.

He advised the general public against using plastic bags or buying goods packed in plastic bags, instead use khaki envelopes, which are environmental friendly and hygienic, and used as the best packaging alternative.