Governors of Northern and Western Provinces and the Mayor of City of Kigali, on February 19, visited Iwawa Rehabilitation Centre in Rutsiro District, where more 1,200 people had completed their rehabilitation. The visit was part of the preparations for the trainees’ reintegration into the society.

Some of the trainees, who will be discharged from the centre by the end of February, told The New Times that they would start small businesses once they return to their respective communities.

Collectively, they have made Rwf106 million from constructing a three-storey building with 48 classrooms used for training of rehab trainees. They will get their wages upon graduation.

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In a phone interview with 30-year-old Welcome Musoni from Masaka Sector in Kicukiro District, shared his plans to venture into business after earning Rwf1 million from the construction site. Musoni, who once battled drug addiction among other ills, said he would invest in livestock farming.

"I am ready to serve my family and country. I will never return to robbery and drugs. Now that I have my own capital, I will use it wisely. People in back home should expect an investor rather than a thief,” Musoni stated.

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For 29-year-old Eugene Ntibarikure from Gasabo District, who earned Rwf1.2 million plans to venture into trade. A former drug addict, Ntibarikure now aims to use his earnings to support the education of four siblings.

"I used to steal money from my parents, but now I am ready to generate my own income,” Ntibarikure said.

Government commitment to reintegration

Fred Mufulukye, the Director General of the National Rehabilitation Service (NRS), highlighted the importance of counseling and vocational training for individuals under rehabilitation.

"We are developing measures for rehabilitation and social reintegration of people exhibiting deviant behaviors, and we will be following up on their implementation,” Mufulukye told The New Times.

"Once these individuals are placed in rehabilitation centres, we provide them with knowledge and vocational education to prepare them for reintegration into society,” he stated.

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During a recent session in Parliament, MP Therence Kayigire underscored the need for improved coordination between the NRS and local governments to ensure effective reintegration of people who complete rehabilitation and prevent recidivism.

Kayigire emphasized the importance of prioritizing reintegration programs in district budgets, urging planners to allocate sufficient resources for these initiatives.

In the same session, Minister of Local Government, Patrice Mugenzi, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that rehabilitated individuals become productive members of society.

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"The government is making sure that each district receives a list of rehabilitated individuals and starts planning for their reintegration,” Mugenzi told lawmakers.

"We are including the reception and reintegration of these individuals into district action plans, equipping them with toolkits, and integrating them into cooperatives. Reintegration needs to be taken seriously. We are also meeting with their parents to remind them of their responsibilities and organize their reception.”

Northern Province Governor Maurice Mugabowagahunde, who visited at Iwawa on Wednesday, said that reintegration efforts are well underway.

"We first met their families, and we understand that some are concerned about how they will be received by the society, and parents are uncertain whether they have truly changed. We engaged both parties to ensure a smooth reintegration process,” Mugabowagahunde stated.

He added that the province is connecting rehabilitated individuals with various projects, including road and school construction, tailoring factories, and carpentry workshops.

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Jean-Bosco Ntibitura, Governor of the Western Province, echoed similar sentiments, noting that the province is negotiating with various entities in Rutsiro and Ngororero to create employment opportunities for these individuals.

"No one will be left behind,” he assured.

Rwanda has three rehabilitation centres. Iwawa Rehabilitation Centre accommodates 5,038 males, with 82.3% aged between 18 and 35, while Nyamagabe Rehabilitation Centre hosts 1,468 individuals, 78.7% of whom are in the same age range. Gitagata Rehabilitation Centre in Bugesera District houses 679 individuals, with 60.4% being under 18.