The City of Kigali has been ranked as one of the fastest growing cities in Africa. Not only is it clean and green, it is also one of the safest on the continent. 

The Regional Police Commander (RPC) Central (City of Kigali) Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Elias Mwesigye spoke to Edwin Musoni about Rwanda National Police’s efforts to ensure that Kigali remains a safe and secure city, even as we enter the festive period.

Below are the excerpts

QN: Briefly tell us about the current security status in the Central Region (Kigali)

ACP Mwesigye: The security status is relatively calm; however, like any other place in the world, we sometimes

encounter petty crimes like theft, assault and battery and drug abuse, but the rate of these crimes is not alarming since we have put in place strategies to counter them.

We embark more on public sensitization campaigns, respond to calls, apprehend suspects and compile case files that we hand over to the prosecution.

We have invested a lot of efforts in ensuring that Kigali is a safe city that facilitates development and the public has confidence in their security.

QN: Any major security challenges?

ACP Mwesigye: There are some challenges that are related to the fact that the city has grown – and is growing – fast but these are not the kind of challenges that would be considered problematic. Among them include burglary or house break-ins that are common in high-end neighborhoods. Thieves target electronic items like computers, smart-phones, television sets and other potable gadgets.

These thieves sometimes force themselves into targeted houses by breaking doors, sometimes dig a hole in a wall, or even collaborate with house-helps to access keys to the house. With regard to stolen cell phones, we have the ability to track them but once a phone is taken off the local networks, it becomes almost impossible to track.

We have so far recovered most of the stolen items but we are stuck with over 100 TV sets and hundreds of laptops that owners can’t easily identify. This is why we always ask people to always keep receipts and serial numbers of their gadgets or mark them. We can only handover these items to owners if they show proof, otherwise we are obliged to hand the remaining items over to the court which decides what to do with them.

We also set up a unit that is particularly charged with cracking down on theft and housebreak-ins. As a result, we managed to apprehend about 300 suspected thieves, made case files and handed them to the prosecution.

There are some that we sent for rehabilitation since their cases were not worth prosecuting.

We also deal with crimes like drug trafficking and abuse, assault, purse-snatchers, pickpockets, among others.

But we deal with all these challenges in a professional manner and that’s how we have managed to keep the crime rate low.

Dealing with such crimes requires collective collaboration. We are very thankful to the public for their collaboration in crime prevention because sometimes crimes are sophisticated and can’t easily be identified until the public reports to us. We also attribute our success against these crimes to joint operations with other security organs which facilitate the flow of information.

QN: Today, the City of Kigali is growing very fast, there’s an influx of rural-urban migration and increasing traffic flow. What does this mean in terms of security?

ACP Mwesigye: In matters to do with security, this form of migration boosts slums as some people who move into cities forge means of survival. Most of the criminals in urban areas are immigrants who don’t qualify for the city job market. They move to the cities expecting to easily find jobs and when they fail, some get involved in petty crimes. If there are no measures taken to discourage this kind of flow, it can turn into a challenge. We understand the government has come up with socio-economic measures of having opportunities spread out in different parts of the country.

I must say today we are performing well in spreading these opportunities and we are always prepared for these dynamics through partnership with the public, smart operations and adequate trainings.

QN: Tell us how security has evolved in the City of Kigali to facilitate the rapid development of the capital?

ACP Mwesigye: A flourishing business environment has somehow led to a change in the nature of crimes…such a situation calls for frequent changes in the way we approach security issues. In all these dynamics, we stick to the principles of partnering with the public and working closely with other security organs and local authorities.

Policing a developing city requires dynamism. That’s why we always encourage business communities to install CCTV in their premises and we also encouraged private security firms to increase physical security. These approaches have worked for us and that’s why Kigali remains one of the safest cities in Africa.

QN: Has community policing played a major part in this process of ensuring a safer Kigali, and how?

ACP Mwesigye: Community-oriented policing is in many ways one of the most effective ways of keeping our city safe. With community policing, we have been able to identify the root cause of crimes and their impact to the communities.

We have seen a significant increase in the flow of information between security agencies and the public which has facilitated in apprehending criminals and recovery of stolen goods.

QN: The festive season is around the corner, any special attention accorded for the smooth running of the festivities?

ACP Mwesigye: We are well prepared to ensure maximum security during the festive season; we are working with all security organs to ensure this. We have prepared a quick reaction force that is well trained and equipped. During such days, we also conduct mapping of potential crime areas for operations.

QN: What is your message to those intending to have music shows, prayer-nights and parties at night?

ACP Mwesigye: Playing music is not prohibited as long as the volume of the music does not inconvenience neighbours. Everyone has a right to entertainment, to celebrate festive seasons and to enjoy responsibly, taking into consideration the convenience, comfort, security and safety of their neighbourhood.

We, once again, call on pubs to use sound proofs at all times. Operations to crackdown on offenders will remain in place as usual and there will be no exceptions. One person’s beliefs should not come at the expense of another person’s right to have quiet, uninterrupted sleep. We invited owners of entertainment places, organisers of business shows and church leaders and we discussed this issue, we are hoping they will respect the law.

QN: What’s your message to the people of Kigali?

ACP Mwesigye: Kigali is a secure and safe city and may every Rwandan enjoy the festivities but in a responsible manner. During this period, the Police will be on standby to ensure public order.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw