Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police warns the general population against illegal cutting and trafficking of trees.

The warning follows the discovery and seizure of about three tones of  a local tree called Kabaruka in Gicumbi district on September 4.

At around 8:00 am, Police uncovered two tones in a house belonging to one Pierre Bitangwa in Mulindi cell of Kaniga sector.

Police also intercepted a vehicle, Hilux type at about 10:00 pm in Ngondore cell of Byumba sector loaded with one tone of stumps of the local plant.

Two people were arrested in connection with the act.

"This is an illegal act and punishable under the Rwandan Penal Code. Related acts contribute to environment degradation, which in one way or another, have ill-effects on people’s health and the economy in general,” Police Spokesperson for the Northern Province Supt. Emmanuel Hitayezu, said.

He lauded the public for providing Police with timely information which led to the arrest of the suspects and seizure of the stumps.

SP Hitayezu appealed to the population to abstain from such environment degradation activities   and report in time those involved.

“There a lot of legal businesses people can run,” he said.

He reminded that for anyone to cut or transport trees from one area to another, has to seek authorization from local leaders in the area.