Rwanda National Police

Thirteen countries of the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (EAPCCO) will early next year start using a single Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificate (MVCC) for vehicles crossing to any of these states as a way of combating car theft.

The general consensus by the regional organization is that the certificate should be issued effective March next year.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Tony Kuramba, Commissioner for Interpol in Rwanda National Police said member countries have now embarked on training the local staff, who include those in Police forces, customs and immigration, on how to fill security features of vehicles on this form and how well they will work together with other member states.

Seven people from RNP, Custom and Immigration, yesterday completed two-day training in this domain.

“This certificate will be issued at borders. For example, if it is issued at a Rwandan border post, it will be valid in all the thirteen countries and it will be easy if one wants to sell his vehicle in any of the member states because it indicate that the vehicle is genuine…not stolen. In short, for one to sell his car, you will need to show this document to the buyer,” ACP Kuramba said.

“This document will have security features to prevent duplication or forgery,” he added.

The Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificate will be produced by the UK-based firm, De La Rue which has branches worldwide.

De La Rue is the world’s largest commercial banknote printer and passport manufacturer and is a trusted partner of governments, central banks and commercial organizations around the world.

EAPCCO member states are; Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Comoros and Somalia.

ACP Kuramba said that although car theft in Rwanda is still a rare case, there are other vehicles stolen from the region and thieves use Rwanda as a transit to other countries.

“This certificate will supplement other available initiatives to address the issue of car theft, recover those stolen and arrest criminals,” he explained.