Rwanda National Police

Rt. Rev. Alexis Birindabagabo has called for concerted efforts between the Police, the clergy and all public and private entities as well as the general public to address the continuous pressing concern of illicit drugs in the country.

Rt. Rev. Birindabagabo made the call on October 14, in Rwimiyaga Sector of Nyagatare District where psychotropic substances valued at about Rwf2.7 million, were disposed of.

The campaign against drugs was organized by Rt. Rev. Birindabagabo under the theme: “The role of the church in the elimination and control of illicit drugs among the youth.”

Present, among others, was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) Prof. Anastase Shyaka, Nyagatare mayor Claudian Mushabe, the District Police Commander (DPC) Senior Supt. Pierre Tebuka and members of the clergy from various churches in Nyagatare as well as thousands of Nyagatare residents.

Rt. Rev. Birindabagabo, who heads the inter-religious efforts to eliminate illicit drugs, reminded the residents that they are the first responders in combating the vice and protecting the young generation, who are the majority victims of illicit drugs.

More than 70 percent of people involved in drug related crimes including addicts, are aged between 18 and 35, according to statistics.

He called for the “commitment” of parents, guardians, teachers, faith-based groups and the society to teach their youngsters the “path of righteousness.”

“Above all we need to make sure that the young people are empowered and we should build them up spiritually; without them we don’t have a nation” Rt. Rev. Birindabagabo said.

He noted that the church is embarking on this joint campaign because “we know that drug can kill the vision and destroy the future of the youth.”

“We all know that the youth are restless, they want to explore themselves and if they are not positively engaged certainly the evil people like drug dealers will,” he observed.

On his part, Prof. Shyaka commended the critical role played by faith-based organizations in supplementing the government development.

He observed that the church’s role in curbing the problem of drug abuse by educating the laity about dangerous social evils supplements government efforts to ensure that all groups share common goal in the country’s transformation.

Prof. Shyaka urged the residents to give no room for people with self-gains as the expenses of the lives of other people.

Senior Supt. Tebuka observed that Rwimiyaga is one of the sectors with high records of drugs in Nyagatare. He said about 100 drug traffickers have been arrested in Rwimiyaga alone in the past few months.

He also said some drug traffickers also tempt to manipulate the young people to sell their substances, warning of stern measures.

The new penal code increased sentence from seven years to life in prison for anyone convicted of trafficking or making narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.