Rwanda National Police

The Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) have urged motor-vehicle owners to finalize ownership transfers, warning that legal action will be taken after the grace period expires.

Last month, RRA and RNP launched a joint nationwide awareness campaign and special support to fast track ownership transfers and support to those facing various challenges to complete this mandatory process.

All owners of vehicles and motorcycles that are no longer in use are also required to return their number plates for deregistration and to prevent accumulation of unnecessary taxes.

In Kigali, ownership transfers services are provided at Dubai Port Masaka, Nyamirambo, Gikondo Expo Ground and Canal Olimpia.

Similar services are provided at 14 other tax centres in provinces.

The RNP spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Boniface Rutikanga, said that while many people are responding positively, some remain uncooperative.

“Although people are turning up for this service, some individuals remain reluctant and fail to assist their counterparts in completing ownership transfer,” ACP Rutikanga said.

Bikorimana Samuel, a motorcyclist from Nyamasheke who was unable to trace the seller to complete the motorcycle ownership transfer.

One such case involved motor-taxi rider, Bikorimana Samuel from Shangi Sector in Nyamasheke District, who bought a motorcycle from Hitarurema Placide in July 2025. According to Bikorimana, repeated attempts to complete the transfer were unsuccessful after the seller stopped responding to calls.

“He told me he did not have time and that we would do the ownership transfer the following month. When the time came, he stopped answering my calls,” said Bikorimana.

He further explained that due to his work in Nyamasheke and Rusizi districts, he was unable to return to Kigali to follow up on the matter. However, after learning about the ongoing special support, he reported the issue to the authorities.

“The Police later called me and told me they had located him. They brought us together, and the ownership transfer was finally completed,” he said, thanking the Police for their intervention and encouraging others facing similar challenges to seek help at the designated service sites.

Ndayisaba Joseph, who bought a car three years ago and whose seller had refused to transfer ownership, later came to the site for assistance after learning about the awareness campaign.

Similarly, Joseph Ndayisaba had spent three years without completing the ownership transfer for a car he bought after the seller refused to cooperate.

“When I heard about the campaign, I went to one of the sites and explained my problem. I was told they would help locate the seller so the issue could be resolved,” Ndayisaba said, urging others facing similar challenges to seek support in this special window period.

ACP Rutikanga once again reminded the public that the grace period, which ends on February 28, will not be extended.

“Anyone who bought or sold a vehicle and failed to facilitate ownership transfer should take advantage of this period. Once it ends, other measures will be taken to enforce the law," he warned.

The Police and RRA continue to urge vehicle and motorcycle owners to utilize the established service points across the country before enforcement measures begin.

Hitarurema Placide sold his motorcycle and disappeared before transferring ownership until the police tracked him down.