Journalists attending the police press conference
Kigali: The security situation was “stable” in the year 2019 thanks to public ownership through community policing, Rwanda National Police (RNP) said on Friday.
This was during the press conference, which highlighted the security situation in the year under review.
“Increased operations, strengthened community policing and working with different groups facilitated successful response to attacks in some parts of our country, fighting drugs, protection of vulnerable groups like children,” said CP Kabera.
In 2019, RNP secured a total of 226 local and foreign events, including Youth Connekt, ICASA, Global Gender Summit, spiritual pilgrims and trade shows, among others.
According to the security report, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, theft, assault, child labour and defilement are some of the crimes that topped the list in 2019.
Over 287, 380kgs of cannabis, 15755 litres of kanyanga (crude gin) and 359,800 litres of locally distilled illicit brew were seized last year.
More than 2,100 drug dealers were also arrested, with majority in Burera, Gicumbi, Kirehe, Rubavu, Rusizi and Nyagatare districts.
76 suspected thieves including those behind 366 recovered school computer laptops, were also arrested in the same period.
Disasters related to fire (380 cases), floods, landslides and mine collapse (93 cases) were also among security challenges faced last year.
Road security
There was a reduction in road traffic accidents by 17 percent, with 4,661 accidents registered in 2019 compared to 5,611 accidents recorded in the previous year.
Pedestrians were the majority victims with 223 fatalities, 184 motorcyclists and 130 cyclists.
The reduction in accidents was largely due to increased public education on road safety especially through Gerayo Amahoro, law enforcement and adopting IT-related services in traffic.
At least 309, 970 traffic tickets were issued to motorists who violated traffic rules; 186,636 vehicle roadworthness inspections, and 412 driver’s license tests were conducted last year.
“Rwanda National Police initiated and enhanced IT services in traffic such as e-ticketing, cameras, speed governors and online driver’s license testing centres; these continue to play a large part in traffic control and prevention of fatal or serious accidents,” said CP Mujiji.
Fatal accidents resulting from human behaviours such as speeding, drunk-driving, use of phone were reduced by 42 percent, which is attributed to Gerayo Amahoro campaign.
Last year, RNP established 18 online driver’s license testing centres in different parts of the country. The centres provide a platform on daily basis for those doing tests for provisional license.
More 10 centres are expected to be opened this year.
CP Kabera further appealed to the public to utilize the available Police communication channels to report bad services and crime.
These include 110 marine, 111 fire and rescue, 112 emergency, 113 traffic, 997 anti-corruption and 3511 abuse by Police officer.
CP Kabera also disclosed that a separate campaign dubbed ‘Rengera Umwana’ aimed at protecting children (against child labour, teen pregnancy and delinquency…) will also be part of RNP public education programmes this year (2020). (End)