Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) has been strongly involved in reconciling families that are embroiled in wrangles in order to foster community peace, safety and security.

Over the last couple of days, police officers in Nyaruguru District revisited over 30 couples that were reconciled six months ago.

This was meant to evaluate if they are now living happily together as per the resolutions that they agreed to respect.

During this operation conducted on September 8, the well trained officers visited families where they discovered that the couples are now flourishing and living in harmony.

This was unlike in the past when they were susceptible to domestic violence, drunkenness and other family wrangles that threatened to spill over and affect the general community.

One of the couples that police reached out in this exercise was Charles Kanyeragwe and his wife Divota Kamikazi of Raranzige Cell, Rusebeya Sector, who are now living in a fruitful relationship after suffering numerous dangerous wrangles due to drunkenness.

“I was a habitual drunkard who did not care for my family and always tortured my wife. I am very glad that police intervened and counseled me and my wife. Since then, I decided to quit alcohol and however hard it was, I managed to completely quit and become more responsible,” Kanyeragwa said.

His wife added that: “Since my husband stopped his bad habits, we have managed to plan for our family better. Instead of wasting money in bars, we now bought cattle and goats which have greatly improved our welfare.”

Another couple, Alex Sebubi and wife Scovia Mukankindi, were on the brinks of divorce due to misunderstandings over their assets; but six months down the road, they have managed to forge a way forward.

“My wife was fond of stealthily selling home assets without my consent and no matter how many times I asked her to stop, she did not quit the habit. This broke or family and I considered divorce. However, police counselors met with us and we discussed every challenge openly,” Sebubi said.

“We agreed to look beyond our differences and since then, we opened up a combined saving account through which we save some income to start a small family business. We are very grateful that police initiated this project which has helped us and other families in the country.”

The District Community Liaison Officer (DCLO) of Nyaruguru District, Inspector of Police Stanislas Rutayisire, noted that the evaluation indicated positive results, indicating the important role of the programme in solving domestic disputes that often result into gender violence, home neglect and broken families.

“When such wrangles become persistent, they bring about several consequences, including traumatizing children who may end up dropping out of school, resorting to drug abuse or joining crime gang. That is why police initiated this program as part of Community Policing strategy to maintain safety in all societies,” he said.

Throughout this year, RNP officers have reached to thousands of families – and partner with the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion and local leaders to offer the best professional guidance to such families.