Rwanda National Police

The Rwanda National Police (RNP)’s Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) has extended its environmental protection awareness programme to Huye district in a bid to mitigate continued cased of deforestations.

 The campaign is part of the month long countrywide awareness programme conducted by EPU to protect the ecosystem.

 Huye is among the districts where cases of environmental degradation and deforestation in particular, are relatively still high, especially in Karama Sector.

 On September 17, Police officers attached to the EPU reached out to residents of Karama and associations dealing in timber trade to sensitize them and ensure their business doesn’t affect the environment.

AIP Joseph Mwizerwa, while addressing about 200 residents, told them that such environmental crimes are a major drive to climatic change and loss of habitat for millions of species.

“Those that deal in timber business legally contribute to national development but you should do it in the most appropriate way that does not damage the environment,” said Mwizerwa.

He added that; “if you want to boost your business, you should do it in the most appropriate way as prescribed by the awarded licence, otherwise you may soon run out of work and this will not affect only you but also those dealing in land cultivation and the entire nation.”

Charcoal burning, illegal timber business and bush burning are some of the activities that endanger the environment in the district.

He further urged residents to plant as many trees as possible.

IP Eulade Gakwaya, Southern region Police acting spokesperson, urged residents of Karama sector, to always report crimes in time especially cases related to domestic violence and drug abuse, which are common.

The Executive Secretary of Karama Sector, Natalie Mukakarengera hailed Rwanda National Police for its efforts in environmental protection and urged residents to take police advise seriously.

The event also included filing complaints of residents, who reported injustices they face, to the Mobile Police station vehicle, which toured the area.

Majority complaints from the residents rallied around incidences of domestic and gender based violence especially between couples.

The Mobile Police Station service was introduced last year to extended policing services to citizens residing or working in places located far away from Police stations, whereby, a the vehicle treks through the terrain searching for those wishing to lodge complaints or to report injustices committed against them.