Rwanda National Police

The Rwanda National Police has cautioned the general public against trespassing in areas demarcated as ‘special green spaces’ especially in the City of Kigali which is against the country’s greening and beautification drive.
Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police Damas Gatare observed that some people have a tendency of crossing roads through road-side special green spaces which is also illegal and punishable by the law.

“There are some pedestrians and commercial motorcycle operators who trespass and destroy these green spaces which is an act of environmental degradation, defies the campaign of keeping ‘Kigali clean and green’ and against the dignity of Rwandans,” ACP Gatare said.

Trespassing and littering on streets and use of plastic bags is illegal and punishable under the organic law determining the modalities of protection, conservation and promotion of environment in Rwanda and the City of Kigali bylaws.

The trespassing or stepping in road-side green spaces, in particular is punishable with a fine of Rwf10, 000.

“These unethical behaviors can’t be tolerated and we have devised means to enforce the law and to punish the violators,” he added.

The Rwanda National Police and the City of Kigali are engaged in a campaign to bring the general public and local entities together to ensure sanitation and hygiene and protecting and creating green spaces.

“The major focus here is to green new roads, public places and maintain and renovate the existing green spaces. It should therefore be a responsibility of every Rwandan to fight this unlawful act of destroying what has been built and use designated places to cross the road,” he noted.

The City of Kigali is recognized as one of the cleanest cities in Africa.