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Security situation calm during festive season
The security situation in the festive holidays was relatively calm, which Rwanda National Police (RNP) attributed to the public for partnering with security organs through community policing, enjoying responsibly and organizing shows in accordance with the law.
The Police spokesperson, ACP Celestin Twahirwa, while commending the way events such as musical shows and religious celebrations were organized, said that “this kind of partnership and respect of other people’s rights and beliefs should even define the New Year 2016.”
“Generally, people enjoyed their festivities with respect and minding their security, accidents were very few, there were no issues of sound pollution like before and we thank Rwandans for being major players in maintaining and ensuring this level of security,” he said. READ MORE
Police officers train in fighting public fund embezzlement
Forty Police officers completed a three-day training in fighting corruption and public fund embezzlement as Rwanda National Police (RNP) continues to equip police officers with knowledge and skills to strengthen efforts against graft.
The training further emphasized respect of rights of suspects during investigations.
According to Commissioner of Police (CP) Felix Namuhoranye, the commandant of NPC, the session was accorded to district judicial officers, Investigators charged with economic and financial crimes as well as those attached to the corruption and public fund embezzlement unit.
“The overall objective of this specific training was to increase knowledge of participants on Human Rights by instilling the culture of observance of fundamental human rights during investigation, arresting and detaining suspects, and improve their effectiveness and coordination during investigations,” CP Namuhoranye said. READ MORE
IGP Gasana challenges private security firms on professionalism
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana urged private security firms to stay on course and to be defined by professionalism and high level of discipline.
The Police Chief was speaking at the official opening of a one-day workshop of supervisors of private security companies at the Rwanda National Police headquarters in Kacyiru on January 2.
The meeting aimed at discussing and exchanging best practices in the routine duties of private security firms and to devise joint strategies to improve service delivery.
While commending their contribution in the current security status in the country, IGP Gasana emphasized the importance of strong partnership with police, regular inspection of their areas of operation and both on-job training other courses as crucial to build their professionalism and service delivery.
“Partnership through information sharing is very paramount in order to detect and prevent any security threats and protect people living in Rwanda and their property,” said IGP Gasana. READ MORE
Joint operation to conserve Nyabarongo River comes into force
A joint operation to implement the recent adopted resolutions to protect and turn River Nyabarongo muddy brown waters blue, as well as other critical water bodies, came into force with officials from Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) combing the districts of Ngororero and Rutsiro to crackdown on illegal and substandard mining activities, which have been blamed for the current state of the river.
The four-day operation in the two districts which ended on December 31 led to the arrest of 33 people who were either found mining without a licence or disregarding mining standards and techniques, and 25 mining sites closed temporarily.
"Thirteen people were arrested in Rutsiro and twenty in Ngororero, and all of them were arrested red-handed," said Supt. Corneille Muligo, the Director of the RNP Environmental Protection Unit (EPU), which is spearheading the programme to conserve River Nyabarongo. READ MORE
Gender equality assessment in progress
A joint team composed of officials from the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO), Rwanda National Police (RNP) and the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA), among others started field visits to assess the implementation of practices that promote gender equality and barriers hindering fast progress towards full realization of women rights in Rwanda.
The joint monitoring team headed by the Chief Gender Monitor, Rose Rwabuhihi, started its field in Kirehe District on December 29 where they held a meeting with local leaders, security organs in the district including gender focal points, health workers and officials from the National Women Council, among others.
The RNP team include ACP Morris Murigo, the deputy Commissioner for CID, Supt. Pelagie Dusabe, Director Gender Promotion and Supt. Shafiga Murebwayire,.
According to Supt. Shafiga Murebwayire, the Director of Isange One Stop Centre, field visit which started in Kirehe District will also assess the extent to which initiatives to fight gender based violence are paying off and the quality of services extended to victims of GBV.
“We will assess services offered at Kirehe Isange One Stop Centre and other centres, and GBV prevention and response mechanisms,” said Supt. Murebwayire.
“This is intended to promote accountability and timely response to GBV issues at the decentralized levels and document good practices in service delivery to victims of GBV and strategies promoting full inclusion of men and women in development,” she added. READ MORE
Gender equality assessment in Kirehe ends with call to be tough against GBV
The field assessment and campaign against gender based violence in Kirehe District ended on December 30 with a call for leaders at all levels to be keen on fighting the vice.
The leaders were also told to guide the people on how to live in harmony or where to channel their grievances.
While addressing the leaders and the residents, Rose Rwabuhihi, the Chief Gender Monitor commended the management structure which involves women and men in Mahama camp, which she said is one of the vital factors in addressing gender related issues and ensuring women rights.
“It’s good that interveners like those in health, legal and security work jointly to offer holistic services to the affected refugees, but there’s still need for vigorous awareness for the people here to understand their rights in line with the Rwandan laws and where to report injustices they face,” said Rwabuhihi. READ MORE
RNP Marine Unit to embark on extensive water security sensitization
As Rwanda National Police (RNP) sets out to embark on extensive public awareness campaigns, its 'Marine Unit' plans to reach out to a wider audience in ensuring security in and around water bodies.
In an interview with Marine Commanding Officer, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Alphonse Businge, he said that although 2016 will not only be characterized by ensuring more security within the water bodies, the unit will conduct extensive public outreach awareness.
“Part of our targeted audience are those who deal in water transport; we want to encourage them have insurance, water transport authorization, and also ensure they are always equipped with life jackets among other standards,” said SSP Businge.
He added that beside the transporters, the force intends to encourage the public to take part in the fight against smuggling done through water bodies. READ MORE
RNP embarks on environmental policing
In an interview with Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Theos Badege, the commissioner for Criminal Investigation Department (CID), he disclosed that Rwanda National Police (RNP) will reinforce and empower its Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) in its effort to effectively combat environmental-related crimes.
He said that empowering the unit is crucial to have the ability and skills to confront and handle any environmentally related challenge.
“Environmental Protection Unit has been in force for the last six month and it operates closely with all stakeholders including NGOs, concerned ministries, REMA, local leaders and youth grouping,” said ACP Badege.
"The specialized unit is set to conduct countrywide systematic mapping of environmental crimes – a study that would facilitate the unit to effectively conduct investigations aimed at combating threats to ecosystem." READ MORE
Police cautions against careless starting fires
Rwanda National Police (RNP) reminded the public to be cautious against any careless activity that can lead to fire outbreaks which harm lives and property.
The message stemmed from an incident that occurred on December 27, when a residential house in Gisagara District, Nyanza Sector, Higiro Cell, caught fire destroying part of the house and belongings.
Although the fire did not claim any lives, the Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Celestin Twahirwa urged the public to ensure that they always keep flammable substances outside of their homes. READ MORE
Parents reminded to keep children away from water bodies
Water bodies such as lakes, rivers, streams and swimming pool are dangerous places for children and have in some cases claimed lives of youngsters.
Rwanda National Police, therefore, reminded parents and guardians residing near these water bodies to watch over their children to prevent such disasters from happening.
The message followed the death of a ten-year old boy after he drowned in Nyiranduhura stream in Huye District on December 27 as he was fetching water.
It is observed that some children drown while fetching water or swimming in lakes, rivers and streams. READ MORE
Anti-crime awareness in progress
The awareness against crimes in all groups and communities continued in the districts of Gakenke, Kamonyi, Karongi, Nyagatare, Gisagara, Rubavu and Huye.
