Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) has welcomed back a contingent of 140 officers that returned home on July 8 after successfully completing a one year peacekeeping duties under the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

The returned contingent under Rwanda Formed Police Unit five (RWAFPU V) include 17 females and was led Commissioner of Police Bruce Munyambo as its contingent commander.

The officers came home with a record of exceptional performance, with UN medals and special certificates in recognition of their outstanding and professional services in the Caribbean nation.

They were received at Kigali International Airport by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Administration and Personnel, Juvenal Marizamunda in presence of other RNP commissioners and senior police officers.

In his debrief, DIGP Marizamunda praised the officers for maintaining a high level of professionalism and discipline during their operations in Haiti, and urged them to use their expertise to advance RNP’s mission in maintaining law and order in Rwanda.

“You have made your country proud by upholding the virtues of discipline, focus and professionalism during your mission spell, which has enabled you to complete your mission successfully in promoting peace and security in Haiti,” DIGP Marizamunda said.

“Now that you are back back, you are required to use your gained skills and expertise to propel the mission of RNP through the assignments and operations that you will be deployed in.”

RWAFPU V was replaced by RWAFPU VI of 160 officers that includes 22 female officers, which left on July 6 headed by Commissioner of Police Joseph Mugisha.

Last month, the Police Commissioner for MINUSTAH, Serge Therriault commended RNP peacekeepers for their exemplary and efficient contribution to Haiti’s peace building process – and noted that the UN family considers Rwanda as a very strong ally in international peacekeeping.

Some of the crucial work that the RNP peacekeepers have done in Haiti include provision of security in Grande Anse Region, public order management, protection of delegates and provision of emergency services to the local population.

They have also been fond of promoting Rwandan projects such as “Umuganda” community works, through which they led residents in rehabilitating roads, supporting orphans and responding to disasters like floods.

RNP has been deploying peacekeepers to Haiti since a catastrophic earthquake in 2010 killed over 100,000 people and affected over three million.

Rwanda contributes about 600 officers in seven UN missions - Sudan, South Sudan, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Central African Republic, Haiti and Abyei.