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Kinyarwanda
Rwanda National Police continued its good efforts in ensuring law and order, but one thing in particular stood out in this week under review. In its sensitization strategy, most of the calls Police made went towards having a smooth sail during the forthcoming festive period.
However, before we begin, the most important event last week was the 12th National Dialogue Council (umushyikirano) which was officially opened by President Paul Kagame on Friday at the Parliament building.
President Kagame also delivered the State of the Nation Address during the event, which was attended by high ranking officials from the Local, and Central Government, Rwandans from the Diaspora, Diplomats, and representatives of the civil society, youth associations, among others.
It is at this event that leaders and citizens speak about the country’s aspirations and challenges and seek to collectively find the way forward.
Secondly, in its corporate responsibility role, RNP on December 16, donated Rwf2 million to 16 cooperatives of commercial motorcyclists operating in Rubavu district as part of the force's human security initiatives and poverty alleviation.
The fund will help to revive the motorcyclists association which was previously facing internal management wrangles and had caused conflicts.
The donation had been pledged by the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana, on behalf of the force, and was finally delivered.
It is imperative to note that besides offering financial support, RNP also constructs houses, donates mosquito nets and medical insurance premiums for vulnerable families, among others.
This is a sign of the good partnership RNP has with the public, which also shows that RNP is also concerned about the welfare of ordinary Rwandans on top of ensuring their safety.
On Tuesday 16 December, RNP officials met their counterparts from Uganda to conduct an anti-terrorism campaign aligned with increasing vigilance at borders.
In a series of three days, the officials met the border communities of Kagitumba, Katuna and Cyanika where they engaged in a high level discussion about the activities of terrorist groups like FDLR, and also reminded migration officers to be vigilant against any suspicious individuals.
It is during these meeting that they brought to light how terrorists operate and how they can be curbed, as well as how terrorist cells are funded through illegal means like money laundering.
Border communities are usually a high level target for terrorists, while they also seek out for important days like the festive periods.
Therefore, the campaign was well timed and strategic at the same time.
In the same line, a total of 387 Police officers on 17 December completed a counter terrorism course at the Police Counter-Terror Training Centre in Mayange, Bugesera district as the force continues to build capacities of officers in various policing disciplines.
The training focused on two disciplines; VIP Protection which lasted for three months and benefited 99 officers including 11 females, and Special Forces’ training in which 288 officers took part.
The Minister for Internal Security, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harerimana, who officiated at the pass-out, said such trainings “represent a well performing and capable force.”
On 18 December, RNP received two delegates from the Zambian Police who were on a five-day official tour to collect experiences on how the Rwanda Police College operates and how it has empowered officers.
The two officials including the Chief of Research and Planning in the Zambian Police, Senior Superintendent of Police, Derrick Chongo, and the Acting Director of Planning at the Ministry of Home Affairs, John Phiri.
The visit aimed at helping the Zambian government to set up its own Police College that is similar to that of Rwanda, in order to improve the skills and knowledge of their police forces, but also cut the cost of training, which the government incurs year on year.
Furthermore, the force’s never-ending campaign against drug dealing continued last week, with two men in Rulindo District on December 16 arrested in possession of 5000 pellets of cannabis.
The suspects identified as Vincent Bazimaziki, 31, and Ezekias Mvunabandi, 37, were arrested at a Police check point in Mukoto cell of at around 10 pm in the night, as they sought to get buyers for their dangerous products.
It is in the same spirit that Police on December 19 publicly destroyed 900 liters of illicit brew in Nyanza District, as part of an awareness campaign against drugs abuse.
The products were seized during a targeted operation conducted in Kigarama cell of Busasamana sector on December 18, with most of the news having been collected through tips from the public. This further indicates the strength of community policing in ensuring that Police meets its targets.
In conclusion, several actions indicate that Police is gearing up for efficiency during the forthcoming period of Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Several messages have been relayed through the media to call upon the public to respect laws and the peace of their neighbors, as well as to safeguard their property from criminals who may be planning to do evil during the festive period.
