Rwanda National Police

The Rwanda National Police, on December 16, donated Rwf2 million to 16 cooperatives of commercial motorcyclists operating in Rubavu district as part of the force's human security initiatives and poverty alleviation.

The donation had been pledged by the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana, on behalf of the force, during a meeting with the motorcyclists held in October.

The Western Regional Police Commander, Chief Supt. Reverien Rugwizangoga, who delivered the cheque to the management of the cooperatives on behalf of the RNP, challenged them to work as a team if they are to realize the benefits of their profession.

“Two hands are better than one; you need to work together to build your capacities, develop as individuals and families,” CSP Rugwizangoga.

He also urged them to ensure internal regulations to enforce road safety, play a central role in crime prevention and refrain from anything illegal activities.

He outlined having a driver’s licence, transport authorization, insurance, two helmets, wearing a reflector jacket, transport not more than one passenger and not mixing goods with a passenger as one of the requirements for a professional commercial motorcyclists.

Gafora Sentibagwe, who was also unveiled during the meeting as the new chairman of the motorcyclists’ cooperatives, commended Rwanda National Police for its community development initiatives and supporting them to take further step in developing themselves.

“We were facing internal conflicts but we have since resolved them and working together now. This contribution will therefore help us in our initiatives to continue to develop,” Sentibagwe said.

The motorcyclists were previously facing internal management wrangles which had caused conflicts, and their own initiative to elect their new leadership is seen as a sign of reviving the group and their operations.

Present was also the Mayor of Rubavu, Sheikh Hassan Bahame, who emphasized the need for commercial motorcycle operators in the district to be agents of change and work with security organs to foil criminal activities and continued to make the district and the country in general, a safer place.

Various international reports including the most recent of the World Economic Forum, ranked Rwanda the safest country in Africa. The calm security situation in Rwanda is largely due to the community policing proactive approach where security organs and the general public work together to fight and prevent crimes, and the former involves in supporting community development.

The RNP besides offering financial support to such groups, it also constructs houses, donates mosquito nets and medical insurance premiums for vulnerable families, among others.