Rwanda National Police

Police in Huye District have impounded 40, 000 pieces of polythene bags from a local trader, who had trafficked them into the country.

The non-biodegradable plastic bags were seized Wednesday from the shop of one Francoise Uwera, located in Kigoma Sector, Karambi Cell in Gitantu Village.

Uwera managed to flee upon seeing approaching law enforcement officers, who were in an operation in the same trading centre.

Use of non-biodegradable polythene bags is by law prohibited in Rwanda based on law No 57/2008 of 10/09/2008 relating to the prohibition of manufacturing, importation, use, and sale of polythene bags in Rwanda adopted in 2008.

Police spokesperson for the Southern Province, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Karekezi, said that the “suspect is known and will be located to face legal actions.”

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 Rwf5, 000 to Rwf100, 000.

“The materials were seized during the regular police impromptu checks against illegal products in shops and markets, which were conducted across the region,” said CIP Karekezi.

Littered polyethylene bags obstruct sewer systems, hurt marine life in water bodies and can cause flooding from clogging the country’s drainage systems. They also release harmful and toxic pollutants in the air.

CIP Karekezi warned traders against selling or packaging goods in banned polythene bags and advised them to use the environmental friendly khaki envelopes and other approved packaging materials to avoid being in conflict with the law and polluting the environment.