English
Kinyarwanda
By IP Francois MUGIRANEZA
Recent reports, including the newly published 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI), continue to rank Rwanda among the safest countries in Africa. The country consistently appears in the top five across the continent and ranks favorably at the global level, thanks to its low crime rate and high safety index.
The 2024 Citizen Report Card by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) shows overwhelming public trust in national security, with a 93.82 percent satisfaction rate. This is a clear reflection of Rwanda’s sustained investment in community policing, post genocide reconciliation, and citizen centered governance.
Security institutions remain the highest performing entities in Rwanda’s governance framework, highlighting the central role that peace and stability play in the country’s development model.
Trust in security services have never been as strong across the population as today. About 94 percent of citizens say they have confidence in the Rwanda National Police, and nearly 98 percent feel proud to work alongside police in maintaining safety in their communities.
Nearly everyone surveyed, 97.6 percent, expressed satisfaction with police and security services. When it comes to their personal safety and protection of property, 87 percent say they feel secure and well cared for.
From crimes, chaos to partnership
Safety is not just something provided, it is something people feel and help create. Ramadhan Munyancyuye, a resident of Muhima Sector in Nyarugenge District and a former drug dealer, shared how his once dangerous neighborhood has been transformed.
According to Munyancyuye, Muhima Sector, once known for crime and violence, is now one of the safest parts of central Kigali. This change, he says, is thanks to the collaboration between the Rwanda National Police, community policing programs, and the area’s residents.
“You have to have lived in Muhima to understand the change. A place where people once feared walking even during the day is now a case study in what security means under Rwanda’s leadership,” he said.
“With the help of the police, many former criminals, including me, received training, learned the value of safety, and changed our lives. Some now work in community security, others run businesses or have regular jobs,” Munyancyuye explained.
None of this would have been possible without a professional police force, particularly the Community Policing Department, which places public collaboration at the heart of crime prevention.
According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Teddy Ruyenzi, Commissioner for the Community Policing Department, the department was created from the understanding that effective crime prevention depends on building trust and cooperation with the public, a principle known as proactive policing.
“Our work goes beyond law enforcement. We take part in community gatherings, support vulnerable families, build infrastructure in remote areas, promote early childhood education, and even assist cooperatives formed by former smugglers,” she explained.
“After 25 years, we can point to real transformation based on police-public partnership and the country’s broader vision, but our journey continues,” she added.
Transformation through reforms and unity
For instance, in a recent joint initiative with the Rwanda Defense Force, the Rwanda National Police supported the construction and handover of 10 fully equipped Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers, built 70 houses for vulnerable families, inaugurated 13 bridges, and distributed livestock, boats, and clean water systems to support communities across the country.
This reality is a far cry from Rwanda’s past, as described by Laurent Nkongoli, a senior counselor and former public servant who witnessed the shift firsthand.
“Before 1994, the communal police were part of Habyarimana’s oppressive regime, driven by division, discrimination, and policies that led to the Genocide against the Tutsi,” Nkongoli recalled.
ACP Teddy Ruyenzi, head of community policing department, joins members of the RDF, youth volunteers, and local residents during monthly community work
“Today’s community policing is completely different. It is people centered, inclusive, and focused on citizen well being,” he said.
Nkongoli emphasized that public fear of the police has significantly declined, while cooperation has grown. This trust and partnership, he noted, are key to the high levels of security the country now enjoys.
He also pointed out that past institutions used fear and reactive policing, while Rwanda’s current approach promotes human security and proactive engagement with the public.
His views are echoed by ACP (Rtd) Livin Habimana, one of the first police officers after the liberation of Rwanda. He joined in 1995 and recalls the early challenges of a young police force still in transition.
“Back then, we were few, and the work was intense. There was little contact with citizens. But over time, the institution evolved into a professional service that values engagement with the public,” he said.
Habimana explained that the Rwanda National Police was officially formed in 2000 through the merger of the former Communal Police, National Gendarmerie, and Judicial Police. From that point, reforms focused on trust building, community engagement, and solving security problems alongside citizens.
These efforts laid the foundation for Rwanda’s Community Policing Strategy, an approach that sees citizens not just as recipients of safety, but as key partners in building it.
Rwanda’s success in public safety is not just a product of good policing. It is the result of 25 years of deep partnership between police and citizens. With trust, collaboration, and shared responsibility at its core, community policing has helped turn Rwanda into one of Africa’s safest and most secure nations.
CP Joseph Costa Habyara Commissioner for Counter Terrorism offers a cup of milk to a child at an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Center
