Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police has appealed to the general public to be wary of suspicious objects that could be explosives and report them to officials as soon as possible.

The call follows four separate cases on January 27, where grenades were recovered in Rubavu, Nyagatare and Burera Districts.

They were first discovered by residents, who reported to Police before they could cause any damage.

SP Emmanuel Hitayezu, the Police Spokesperson for Western Province, said that such explosives are very dangerous and are usually found in areas where barracks existed in the past or where military action took place long time ago.

“Locals were constructing a pit latrine in Bugeshi Sector, Rubavu District, when one of them discovered a 60mm mortar shell. The situation happened in the same district in Rugererero Sector, when a farmer found a grenade while he was digging,” SP Hitayezu said.

“All areas were secured and marked by Police and further action is being conducted. Police thanks the public participation in endeavoring to create security. If any individual discovers any object that is suspicious, do not touch it and do not let children play in that area. Report to Police immediately,” he said.

Other incidents occurred in Nyagatare District, Rukomo Sector, where a local found a rusty grenade as he was collecting grass, and in Burera District, Kinyababa Sector, where a farmer discovered a 60mm shell in his garden.

SP Hitayezu commended the public for their keenness and working with Police to ensure that these explosives don’t harm lives, while also cautioning them against illegal ownership of explosives and guns, which is a criminal offense that attracts heavy punishment.

These small arms are believed to have been disposed during the 1994 liberation struggle and in 1996 during the military insurgency period in Northern Province.

Police also reminded the public that there is no criminal liability to any person who surrenders a weapon voluntarily – and therefore, urged those who are still possessing firearms and explosives illegally, or have information of their whereabouts, to voluntarily hand them to security organs or local authorities.

Article 671 of the penal code states that any person who illegally possesses, lends or gives an arm, or falsifies its identification marks, is liable to a term of imprisonment of six months to one year and a fine of Rwf300, 000 to Rwf3 million.

Article 675, states, any person, who provides false information or refuses to provide information with the aim of obtaining a license for possession or carriage of a firearm, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of six months  to one year and a fine of Rwf100, 000 to Rwf1 million or one of these penalties.