EASTERN PROVINCE

NYAGATARE—Overwhelmed by the rate of sexual crime rate in the area, district authorities in Nyagatare are trying to means to control the problem.

Saying crimes such as rape and defilement were climbing at ‘alarming’ rates, vice-mayor for economic and developmental affairs Anselme Majoro Rurangwa has said teachers and cattle sheperds were among the leading violators.

During a district security meeting sexual violence  and related crimes dominated the agenda where Rurangwa said that Nyagatare was second in the country with over 40 rape and defilement cases following Gasabo district.

District prosecutors have vowed to speed up sexual-related crime trials and also to hold court cases in the cell and sector where the crime was committed, so as to better disseminate information against the crimes in the area.

"Many victims were handed for prosecution but often we don’t find material evidence showing the intention behind committing the crime, as many has been alleging that we just release the suspects,” Nyagatare prosecutor Rosette Murungi said.

"This is not true. We carry out investigations to prove beyond reasonable doubt so that no one could be victimized by the law.”

Vice-mayor Anselme Rurangwa expressed sorrow and said that the district was more than ready to fiscally fund the activities of transporting suspects to home villages so that the campaign can show the public that sexual-related crimes are punishable.

"Let’s do it without breaching any law,” Rurangwa said.

"The campaign will kick off in November according to the Ministry of Justice and this will be backed by mobilizing parents to register newborn babies with local authorities so that, when such cases happen, it becomes easy for security and local authorities to establish the age of the victims.”

"Many times we arrest suspects but what discourages us is when leave and the following day that person is released,” one sector executive said.

"This has been happening especially on cases of sexual violence and those arrested with Kanyanga local brew.”

Among the cases taking prominence include that of a medical doctor identified as Deo Ngarambe, arrested in June on rape accusations at Rakai medical clinic located at Ryabega trading centre in Karangazi sector.

According to police inspector Damien Gasana, parents should be mobilized to protect their children from strangers, especially those listed as most likely to conduct sexual crimes.

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