Bahoneza – Kinyarwanda, Rwanda Welfare, Social Welfare, Rwanda People, Nutrition and Diet, Rwanda Habitat, Living in Kigali

Some of the widows who received the goats

A group of 58 genocide widows in Rutunga sector, Gasabo District on Tuesday received33 high breed goats courtesy of the Rwanda National Police Hospital.

The widows were also given several agricultural equipments such as watering cans and pesticide containers which they will use to increase agricultural productivity.

All donated items were valued at Rwf 1,130,000 from the contributions from Kacyiru Police Hospital staff members.

Speaking at the event, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Daniel Nyamwasa, the Commandant of Kacyiru Police Hospital said that the donation is part of several other welfare activities Police engages in as an effort to promote improved living conditions of vulnerable Rwandans.

He urged the widows to take good care of donated goats. “These goats are going to reproduce and have an impact in your lives if you take good care of them.

Kacyiru Police Hospital also promised to address psychological problems that were inflicted to some of the survivors of the 1994 Tutsi Genocide.

James Nzirimu, the official in charge of advocacy at the National Commission against Genocide (CNLG) lauded theHospital’s contribution towards the welfare of the widows.

Nzirimu urged them to play their role by breeding the goats in a good way so they can have high production which he said would help to solve a number of basic needs.

Expressing her happiness, Sarafina Uwimana commended Police Hospital for supporting them.

The Rwanda National Police calls upon the general public to be more vigilant to avoid fire accidents, saying that a little cautiousness can avert fire out breaks.

The call comes following a fire accident which consumed a shop in Kangondo II, Nyarutarama cell in Remera sector due to a short circuit.

According to local authorities, the shop belonging to one Emmanuel Kuradusenge caught fire on Tuesday June 12, at around 1400hrs.

Sixteen mattresses and several other merchandise all valued at approximately Rwf1 million were destroyed.

Police together with locals managed to extinguish the fire which looked unstoppable thanks to the quick intervention of Fire and Rescue Brigade Unit.

Superintendent Bertin Mutezintare the Commanding Officer of Fire and Rescue Brigade Unit urges citizens, particularly the business operators to always avoid anything that may lead to fire accidents.

Mutezintare noted the need for proper arrangement of merchandise in shops. “Mattresses should be properly arranged in a way that electric wires don’t pass through them”. He said.

He further called on citizens to uphold the culture of partnering with security organs in case such incidents occur.

Three month ago, another shop in Kacyiru sector was reported to have been gutted by fire and merchandize worth Rwf6 million was consumed. Similarly, Police intervened, managed to put off the fire and salvaged several items.

Rwanda National Police believes such accidents can be prevented when citizens get to realize the need to be vigilant.

Rwanda as a developing country has lately not been affected by big numbers of suicide according to available police statistics. However, from time to time, cases of suicide have been reported around the country which police thinks can be averted if timely advise is sought and provided.

Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one’s own death. It is often committed because of many factors such as despair which may be caused by depression, alcoholism and drug abuse.

It could also be caused by poverty or financial difficulties, poor interpersonal relationships, loneliness, unemployment and poor mental health.

Global statistics show that, over one million people die by suicide every. It is the 13th leading cause of death.

While there might be different causes of suicide in developed and developing countries, the statistics apply to both.

Consequences brought about by suicide are far reaching. It affects families of the deceased in who remain in poverty, causes prostitution, school dropouts, drug abuse and delinquency.

Despite the few cases in Rwanda, they occur sporadically. For instance last week on Thursday in Huye district, Mbazi sector, Mwurire cell, Ananias Makuza, 61, committed suicide by drinking rat poison.

He died at a health center where he was being treated .The cause was reported as the shame caused by his mother in law who found him committing adultery in the trench on the road side.

In Musanze district, Gataraga sector, Rungu cell, Callixte Habamenshi, 49, also committed suicide by drinking poison. He died upon his arrival at Ruhengeri hospital. Investigationsto this cause are still on.

According to police, local leaders have a mandate to identify and follow up on people with problems that may lead to suicide and advise them in time before they take their lives.

It also calls on troubled people to seek advice by approaching authorities or reporting to the nearest Police station instead of using their own ways of solving problems by causing more complexities.

In a way to encourage residents to know the importance of National Identity cards and fight crimes especially theft done in the markets, the National Police of Rwanda in Kirehe District has decided to sensitize people to always move with the IDs while going to the markets or any other place they go to.

This is done to remind people about the importance of National Identity cards as they show if a person is a Rwandan and that they have where they belong and it reduces the possibility of thieves who come to the market with the hope of not being caught or identified as market goers of Nyakarambi market said.

Emmanuel Rwirahira a resident who usually attends Nyakarambi market in Musaza sector in Kirehe district said that when they see police officers moving around on the market day, they feel protected and secure.

He went on to say that when a person with no ID is questioned a lot, he/she makes it a point to come with it on the next market day or have it with him wherever they go. He said that it is a good thing for police to remind them to carry IDs and it ensures security.

This act has already reduced the theft in Nyakarambi market where the police officers are moving around and all people are asked to show their IDs, traders are happy about this as they no longer lose their goods to thieves.

Police have noted that there cannot be maximum security in the country with the increasing family conflicts at present.

In a statement by Rwanda national Police (RNP) said that though it is its mission to make people living in Rwanda feel safe, involved and reassured, this mission cannot be achieved where family conflicts are becoming a major problem to security and threaten welfare of Rwandan families.

“Police has to play a major role to address these concerns and it requires full participation of the public. As a part of the community, Police is committed to work together with local leaders to resolve this serious problem that exist within the Rwandan social fabric,” states the statement.

The Police called for eradication of domestic and gender based violence for the better living of Rwandan families and said that these crimes violate human rights and are a big challenge to public safety and socio-economic development.

“In most cases the most vulnerable people such as children and women are the victims of such conflicts. They need protection and advocacy from their families as well as us,” they said.

Given the consequences brought about by family conflicts, Police has taken a proactive stance in dealing with the issue.

This has been accomplished through awareness campaigns and calling on the public to give timely information regarding any violent incidence that may arise from family conflicts which helps the Police to intervene at the right time and prevent crime.

Police has also time and again called on families in wrangles to seek arbitration from competent courts or conciliators before their disputes turn into serious criminal activities.

Police is collaborates with other security organs, local authorities, the civil society and the general public to combat domestic and gender based violence. They work hand in hand to deal with family conflict through Community Policing and information sharing.

Police has already established a cordial relationship with the public and there is a growing awareness that community involvement in crime prevention is essential to preserve security and prevent crimes.

The Rwanda national Police (RNP) has called upon the general public to increase on the pace at which they share the information concerning crimes.

In a statement, the police said that sharing timely information between the public and the Police to combat crime has proved to be a successful crime reduction strategy.

“Through community policing approach the exchange of information between community liaison officers, community policing committees’ and the public has led to reduced crime rates,” reads the statement.

To encourage information sharing, Police put in place several toll free lines that can be used to report any criminal incidence.

The most commonly known and used is the emergency line 112. However there are other hotlines established by Police which can be used to report on specific issues.

For instance 3512 can be dialed to report gender based violence crimes, 113 for traffic accidents and 110 to report maritime incidences. 3511 can also be dialed in case of abuse or misconduct from a police officer.

“In the daily routines, either at home or area of work, criminal activities are witnessed which should be reported to police or other security organs.”

However, police says that sometimes they don’t know what, where and how to report effectively or they don’t know what numbers to call. This sometimes leaves a crime unreported while culprits go free.

A common example is repeated quarrels in homes which are likely to turn into brawls. If such are not reported in time, the likelihood of them turning ugly is high.

Another problem that hampers effective crime reporting according to police is traditional cultures whereby people fear to report friends, relatives or even parents because they depend on them for support. Others simply keep quiet especially when the crime concerns sexual abuse.

Police calls upon the public to report any criminal incident to the nearest authority available but most especially Police. They should partner with their closest Police stations or posts and hand in timely information in the event s crime is taking or about to take place.

Potential events that could end being dangerous or bring harm should also be reported immediately.

Street children being housed in Cyanika Sector, Burera district

Following increasing number of street children that have been loitering around Cyanika boarder streets, on 9^th May 2012 the police gathered 23 children that they found idle and are currently begin taught discipline.

Cyanika Sector Executive secretary Jean Marie Vianney Nkanika said that the operation is meant to instill discipline into those streets children who most of the times have gone out of control of their parents.

Of the 23 children, 8 of them are primary school defaulters and the rest are complete school dropouts.

In an interview with one of the children aged 15, he said that he left school to begin smuggling at the boarder as it earns quick money.

Most of these children are often found carrying luggage and other smuggling despite their tender age since the eldest of the 23 is 19 years old.

Through partnership of Rwanda police and local leaders in Cyanika sector, resolutions were made to curb down street children proliferation by establishing communal discussion tables with the culprits’ parents as explained by Nkanika

Residents of Kigina sector in Kirehe district on April 28th 2012 saw the community work building for the vulnerable old man who survived 1994 genocide against Tutsi.

Soldiers, police men, different leaders and residents had gathered for the community work.

Old Augustin Murara, who has five children from his first wife and two children from the current wife, is thankful for getting a new house which he had no hope for due to poverty.

During the community work, Sylvestre Uwitonze in charge of good governance in Kirehe district explained to the residents their role in development and told them that helping each other is an act of Rwandese.

Also he reminded them of the poverty fighting program (EDPRS) in rural areas that has finished its first phase.

He advised residents to take part in the second phase of poverty fighting by sharing their ideas basing on four pillars of the government.

Ideas from residents will be considered for the development plan making and that the financial year will be prepared depending on residents ideas.

Police official Sup. John Sesanga asked residents to strengthen security by avoiding drugs which is the root cause of evil.

La crainte de l’insécurité, suite aux élections présidentielles dans la République démocratique du Congo du 28 novembre 2011, incite les ressortissants congolais de venir se refugier à Rubavu.

D’après les commentaires de la presse en général, l’issue de ces élections présidentielles incite les groupuscules des deux protagonistes principaux, à savoir le candidat- président sortant et son challenger principal Etienne Tshisekedi, à en découdre.

Christelle, une maman de 3 enfants a décidé de venir s’installer au Rwanda car elle se sentait en danger après ces élections. Elle s’est déclaré en ces termes : « J’ai pensé que mes enfants étaient en danger dans les affrontements qui se tiennent lieu près de chez moi, d’où j’ai pris la responsabilité de me refugier à Rubavu en attendant le calme ».

Christelle ajoute que les autorités  et la population de Rubavu leur ont consenti un bon accueil. Mais la principale préoccupation qu’ils rencontrent est le titre de séjour au Rwanda car ils doivent retourner les papiers nécessaires dans leur pays d’origine en proie à l’insécurité.

L’autre raison d’inquiétude concerne la location des maisons à Rubavu qui devient de plus en plus cher au fur et à mesure que ces gens venant de l’autre côté de la frontière s’installent. Mais malgré cela, les prix sont nettement supérieurs à Goma où une maison se loue environ 120 000frs rwandais par mois alors qu’à Rubavu les prix sont estimés à 50 000frs rwandais par mois.

Un ressortissant congolais vivant à Rubavu déclare que, vivre au Rwanda ne veut pas dire qu’il n’est pas patriote, mais qu’il ne peut remédier à la situation qui se joue dans son pays natal.

« J’aime le Rwanda et les rwandais  mais je porte mon pays dans mon cœur. J’envisage d’y retourner des que la situation sera saine » a-t-il déclaré.

Le commandant en chef de la police à Rubavu, déclare que si les congolais se comportent sans encombre sur le sol rwandais, ils n’auront point de problème avec les autorités et agents de sécurité.

Il a ajouté que chacun a le droit de vivre au Rwanda tant qu’il est en situation régulière, leur nombre ne pose pas problème tant qu’ils ont du travail ou d’endroits à vivre. Le nombre des ressortissants congolais séjournant à Gisenyi n’est pas connu mais leur établissement est antérieur aux élections présidentielles en RDC.