Rwanda National Police

Residents of Nyagatare District were asked to be at the forefront in addressing the pressing concern of illicit drugs by reporting dealers as means to break chains of supply.

They were also urged to break silence on gender based violence and child abuse.

The call was made on Friday by Commissioner of Police (CP) Bruce Munyambo, the Commissioner for Community Policing in Rwanda National Police  (RNP), while addressing over 1, 000 residents.

The outreach exercise was part of the ongoing countrywide campaign against crimes under the theme: “Let’s all partner to prevent crimes as we build the Rwanda we need.”

“Concerted efforts are key to effectively and efficiently prevent these crimes but also ensure that criminals are brought to justice," CP Munyambo told the residents. 

He observed that Nyagatare is one of the districts used as transit routes, reversing the trend requires the ownership by every resident to report people they suspect to be involved. 

Over 130 motorcycles were impounded in the last three months in Nyagatare after they were intercepted trafficking illicit drugs.

Contrabands worth Rwf30 million were also seized in the same district in the last five months. At least 458 drug traffickers including motorcyclists were arrested in the same period, with majority of them handed varied prison sentences. 44 others were taken to Iwawa Rehabilitation and Vocational Skills Development Centre (IRVSDC).

Kanyanga, a crude gin and assorted illicit gins with different brand names such as chief waragi, zebra waragi, African gin, all packed in banned plastic bags, account for about 70 per cent of the drugs impounded.

The campaign was also characterized with a friendly football match between Police in the Eastern region and commercial motorcyclists, dedicated to fighting crimes.

Police won the match by 1-0.

CP Munyambo  challenged residents to embrace sports activities as one way of ensuring a healthy living. 

Steven Rurangwa, the vice mayor of Nyagatare in charge of Finance and Economic Development, appealed to local leaders and the residents to work together to fight such criminal acts including child pregnancies by sharing information with the Police. 

Rurangwa said the awareness campaign will be extended to all sectors in the districts to mobilize all residents towards the common course.

Similar campaigns continued this Saturday in Muhanga and Gicumbi districts where Police officers and local leaders engaged residents in community policing programmes designed to drive the agenda towards sustainable security.