Rwanda National Police

Forty families in Kamonyi District that had for long been marred with wrangles are now coming forward to praise Rwanda National Police (RNP) for its reconciliation programme intended to solve domestic related issues like gender violence, home neglect and to reunite broken families and couples.

In an event held on Friday, August 21, it focused on reaching out to families with longstanding disputes, so that they get the necessary mediation and counseling to overcome and settle differences.

Pricilla Nyiramafaranga, who benefited from the initiative, said her family was for long embroiled in unending wrangles to an extent that she was considering filing for divorce.

“We would not have come to terms with my spouse if the police had not brought us together and educated us about the effects of our misunderstandings. We have agreed with my partner to help other families that are facing similar problems,” Nyiramafaranga said.

The other couples echoed similar situations, noting that Police should continue with the initiative in a bid to ensure longstanding security in the community.

The District Community Liaison Officer of Kamonyi, AIP Athanase Niyonagira noted that many neighborhood crimes sometimes emanate from unsolved family wrangles.

“Curbing family disputes and domestic violence is paramount in community policing. This is why we put a lot of emphasis on ensuring that families address wrangles before they escalate into crime,” AIP Niyonagira said.

“That is why police emphasizes the need to help families overcome their misunderstandings; whereby, qualified police counselors and mediators reach out to identified families and help them forge a way to solve their problems amicably.”

The Executive Secretary of Mugina Sector, Jean de Dieu Nkurunziza also told the families about the effects of family wrangles on children.

“In case you have any conflicts, kindly report to the authorities rather than resorting to violence,” Nkurunziza said.

“If wrangles are unsolved at family level, it brings about several consequences, among which include, traumatizing the children and youth, who may end up dropping out of school, using drugs or joining crime gangs.”