Rwanda National Police

Police have arrested two men, separately, suspected of defiling underage girls in the Eastern Province.

One incident involves a 29-year old man arrested in Nasho Sector of Kirehe District in connection with sexually assaulting his 2-year old daughter.

The incident was reported by the mother and relatives of the victim, Police in Kirehe, said.

The suspect had separated with his wife. It is said that the husband committed the heinous crime on Monday August 25 at the victim’s maternal grandmother, where she was staying. He had apparently gone there to visit. The suspect is currently held at Nasho police station.

In a related incident in Ngoma district, Police arrested a 51-year old resident of Rukira Sector for allegedly defiling an 11 year old girl.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect allegedly dragged the girl off the road to a nearby shrub where he defiled her.

The suspect is currently held at Rukira police station pending further investigations while the girl is undergoing treatment.

Police spokesperson for the Eastern Province, Inspector of Police (IP) Emmanuel Kayigi, who condemned the incidents, said both the suspects and victims will be subjected to medical exams.

“In most cases, suspects deny committing such an offence, but as is the norm, both the victims and suspects will undergo medical examination which will prove if the crime was committed or not. If the tests prove so, where necessary, the suspect(s) will be subjected to psychological test,” IP Kayigi said.

He called on the public to always report such cases to the police for justice to be served.

Defilement, under article 191 of the penal code, is punishable with a life sentence.

“Parents should keep a close eye on their children at all times and the public should as well assume a watchdog responsibility for the safety of the children. Proper upbringing and protection of children is not entirely the role of police and parents alone; it’s a combination of everyone, including the public,” he said.

Kayigi partly blame crimes like defilement to abuse of drugs, excess consumption of alcohol and illegal brew. He called the public to fight such crimes that fuel others.

RNP established a toll free number – 3512 – where information from the public concerning sexual and gender-related crimes can be reported in time for quick response.