Rwanda National Police

For about a year, a 55-year old Cyprien Barihuta and his wife Anne Marie Mukagakwisi, 45, lived a cat and mouse life in their family in Mukoto cell, Bushoki sector of Rulindo district.

The conflicts rested around property issues. Mukagakwisi accused the husband of selling harvested cereals without her consent.

“He would sell the harvested crops without my knowledge; the worst part is that he could not even buy anything for the family and would use all the money for his personal and unnecessary things including spending some in bars drinking,”  Mukagakwisi narrates.

“If I tried to raise the issue, he would chase assault me and even chase me and my children out of the house. He had failed us and neglected his duty as head of the family, which is really hurting,” she adds.

On September 23, Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Emmanuel Dusengimana, the Community Liaison Officer for Rulindo visited the couple at their home in Mukoto cell to unite them.

“I am grateful that Police visited us because after counseling us, things seem to have returned to normal and my husband has resumed his to provide the family with basic necessities including respecting me as his wife,” she notes.
Barihuta also asked his wife for forgiveness.

“Sometimes you realize that you have been living an irresponsible life; when Police visited us, advised us on how to work together for the good of our children, I actually realized how I had failed my family,” says Barihuta.

AIP Dusengimana urged them to always sit as a family and discuss and consult each other on things that will develop.