Rwanda National Police

Leaders of the Presbyterian Churches in the Eastern Province have pledged to actively work with security organs in the drive to raise awareness against crimes.

They made the commitment at a recent meeting held in Rwamagana District and brought together all Presbyterian church leaders and women representatives in the church in the province.

Teddy Mukamakuza, a pastor at a Presbyterian Church in Rwamagana noted that the church has a responsibility of ensuring “people live a righteous life free from crime.”

She went on to encourage her colleagues to be closer to the police and the people.

“Let us all remember that the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good  people to do nothing. Crime is an act that dishonours God who has gifted us with life. As leaders, we should preach against unlawfulness and in so doing we will be helping the police in building a crime free society,” pastor Mukamakuza said.

In her address to the participants, the Rwanda Natinal Police Community Liaison Officer (DCLO) for Rwamagana, Inspector of Police (IP) Marie Gorette Uwimana, dwelt much on the need to address the issue of drug abuse.

“Majority of those involved  in drug abuse are the youth, which is an indicator that, if the vice is not combated, it will wreck the young generations and ultimately the country,” IP Uwimana said.

She highlighted school drop outs, theft domestic and gender based violence as on of the I'll effects associated with abuse of drugs.

“Although we are seeing a tremendous decrease in drug relates crimes, but our target is to have a society that is free of illicit drugs and the general public’s role including churches is paramount,” she noted.

IP Uwimana further spoke at length about human trafficking urging church leaders to inform their congregation especially the youth to not listen to anyone who promises them decent jobs abroad, which is the common strategy applied by traffickers to achieve their selfish ends.

“Normally, a trafficker will tell youngsters not to tell anyone about the deal, take away all thier identifications and the next thing they will be subjected to forced labour or sexual exploitation; the victim can be anyone one” she said.