Rwanda National Police

The Rwandan peacekeepers serving under the United Nation Multi-dimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in CAR (MINUSCA) have introduced the home-grown community exercise commonly known as Umuganda, in the central African nation.

On Saturday, the Rwanda Police, military and Correctional Services’ peacekeepers mobilized residents of the 5th District in the capital Bangui and cleaned Koudukou road.

The 5th District is a place largely occupied by Christians. It is considered very hostile to Muslims as the conflicts that characterizes CAR result from the differences between the two religious denominations.

There was a big turn up of the locals to take part in the community exercise, who welcomed the culture and thanked the Rwandan peacekeepers for serving and helping the local people.

The exercise was followed by a community meeting where the locals were urged to voluntarily surrender arms and other military items they could be possessing illegally.

While addressing the residents, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Gilbert R. Gumira, the contingent commander of the Rwandan Formed Police Unit (FPU) contingent, appealed to them to love one other, leave hatred behind and work together to develop their communities and the country in general.

Participants were also informed on the impact of Umuganda in the socio-economic development and agreed that the next communal exercise be held in 3rd District, which is largely composed of Muslim population.

Rwanda maintains over 1000 peacekeepers in CAR,  including over 140  members of FPU and some individual police officers .