Rwanda National Police

Fighting trafficking, making, sell and use of illicit drugs took the centre of discussions as Rulindo residents gathered in Umugoroba w'Ababyeyi in their respective communities on May 20.

Umugoroba w'Ababyeyi loosely translated as “evening of parents” is a customary social coercion, which brings together parents or elders in their respective communities to discuss social and security issues affecting their communities and come up with remedies.

Parents and elders in all the 17 sectors of Rulindo District on Sunday put discussions against drugs at the centre stage as part of the ongoing effort to prevent the local market but also report dealers to facilitate Police operations against chains of supply.

The all-out community gatherings were in line with the Police Week activities that put major focus on raising awareness against drugs in its first week.

 The gatherings were also attended by local leaders.

According the mayor of Rulindo Emmanuel Kayiranga, the traditional social gathering brings has been instrumental in building the bond between residents, local leaders and security organs in crime prevention and development aspects.

“Umugoroba w’ababyeyi of May 20 was organized in all sectors to supplement the Police Week activities especially in addressing the issue of illicit drugs, of which we believe the people themselves have an upper hand in identifying dealers that either live in their communities or use their areas as transit routes,” Mayor Kayiranga said.

The District Police Commander (DPC) of Rulindo, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Laurent Rafiki commended the impact of residents and Umugoroba w’ababyeyi in particular in fighting and preventing crimes.

“Security organs work well with the people, and this is largely depicted in such gatherings and through real time information sharing, community night patrols and other anti-crime groups which all strive for safety and security of their communities, and inform successful police operations against crimes including drug dealers,” CIP Rafiki said.

He identified Kinihira, Kisaro and Buyoga as some of sectors with high cases of illicit drugs, but lauded the role of the residents in dealing with the vice.