Rwanda National Police

The Mayors of Kirehe and Musanze Districts, Gerard Muzungu and Jean Claude  Musabyimana respectively, have urged their residents to refrain from drug abuse and report anyone that may be involved in consuming or trafficking of narcotic substance.
 
The Mayors made the call on July 27 in two separate meetings in their respective districts.
 
In Kirehe, Mayor Muzungu met with 350 residents of Ruhango cell in Kigina Sector while Mayor Musabyimana made the call while addressing 750 residents of Nkotsi sector.
 
In his address, Muzungu said, “The problem with narcotics is that anyone can be a victim irrespective of the age.

This, in turn, affects the communities the consumers living and other disciplines such as education, health, morals and, of course, without forgetting security issues such as domestic violence, robberies and homicides,” he said.
 
Most drugs registered in Rwanda are cannabis and illicit brew under different brand names such as muriture, bareteta, yewe muntu and ibikwangari, which are brewed locally and other brands of gin like Kanyanga and Blue Sky that are trafficked from neighbouring countries – all are said to be containing life threatening content.
 
During the same meeting, Kirehe District Police Commander, Superintendent of Police (SP) James Rutaremara tutored residents on the dangers and effects of drug abuse on the consumers, the community and the national economy.
 
He noted that that although there is a milestone in the fight against drug abuse in the district, much needs to be done to deal with tendencies of trade and consumption of banned gins.
 
He called upon residents to show solidarity in this campaign by strengthening working relations with the Police to identify and report people connected to this illegal trade, in order to cut off the supply chain and consequently combat its consumption.
 
“We are seeing a positive response from the public who work with Police on daily basis by providing information on dealers,” said SP Rutaremara.
 
He further observed that drug abuse has been identified as the source of other crimes including assault and domestic violence.
 
In Musaze, Mayor Musabyimana told residents that Rwanda has initiated measures including formulation of laws to penalize dealers and users.
 
As part of the ongoing efforts to curb the menace of  drug abuse. “The youth constitute the biggest percentage of the population and, therefore, eradication of narcotics trade and consumption has to focus more on youth,” said Musabyimana.
 
Rwanda National Police, being at the centre of enforcing laws and policies against drug abuse, is also actively involved in carrying out countrywide awareness programmes on dangers associated with illicit drugs.