Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP), on Saturday, June 19, arrested 88 people at a wedding reception in Nyamirambo Sector, Nyarugenge District for flouting the national Covid-19 prevention directives.

They were caught at Green Mountain Biking Garden located in Nyamirambo Sector, Gasharu Cell in Kagunga Village where Saidi Codo Biregeya and Nyampundu Thausie were hosting guests at their wedding reception.

RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that Police acted on a call from a resident.

"When Police officers arrived at the scene at about 3pm, they found almost everyone at the reception had disregarded the government safety guidelines and directives related to holding a wedding reception," CP Kabera said.

He added: "The recent Cabinet directives specifies that civil and religious weddings or other permitted events happening in hotels, public venues and gardens should not exceed 30 percent of the venue's capacity and should follow all the Covid-19 prevention measures.

The directives were also very clear that all participants or guests should have a negative Covid-19 test not exceeding three days prior to the event.

Unfortunately, apart from the bride and groom, all others did not take the test as directed and all other health guidelines such as having handwashing facilities, wearing facemask and physical distancing, were not followed."

CP Kabera thanked the residents, who reported the violations adding that it is the responsibility of everyone to support the national and enforcement organs in the fight against the pandemic and reporting violators.

"Like we have always said; don't fear the Police, fear the pandemic. Daily reports by the Ministry of Health show us that the level of infection is high and continues to spike, and these are some of the practices that lead to the upsurge.
 
Police will continue to educate the public to influence behavioral change but also arrest such errant people," CP Kabera said.

All the violators were taken to Kigali stadium where they will also be tested for Covid-19 at their cost and handed admnistrative fines.