More than 41,000 people across the country received specialist medical treatment during this year’s Defence and Security Citizen Outreach Programme, according to the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF). The outreach programme, jointly implemented by the RDF, Rwanda National Police (RNP), and local government authorities, ran from March 17 to July 3, with a value estimated at more than Rwf2bn. ALSO READ: Security organs’ citizen outreach targets infrastructure, education, healthcare Brig Gen Celestin Kanyamahanga, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, said during the official closing ceremony held in Kicukiro District that the programme achieved the construction of essential infrastructure, including 13 bridges and 70 homes for vulnerable families were constructed, alongside 10 early childhood development (ECD) centres. Additional support included solar power installations in Musanze District, provision of water tanks, furniture donations for vulnerable households, and safety gear for taxi-moto operators, he added. The official noted that the programme reflected the values of selfless service and reinforced the bond between citizens and security institutions. “The activities uphold the value of devotion and strengthen the partnership between the security organs and the people,” he said. “Over the past three months, we have witnessed acts of compassion, unity and a shared commitment to improving lives.” ALSO READ: 3,000 cataract surgeries conducted in 2024 security organs’ citizen outreach program Kanyamahanga also recognised the support received from the East African Community (EAC), with joint activities involving security officers from Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The regional officers were in Rwanda as part of EAC Armed Forces Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) week. “These officers worked alongside Rwandan teams to provide specialist medical care and support development projects,” he said. The doctors treated patients in Ngoma and Nyanza district hospitals, offering services in internal medicine, paediatrics, orthopaedics, dentistry, and women’s health, he added. ALSO READ: RDF, Police unveil 2024 citizen outreach programme The outreach activities also aligned with the ongoing national celebrations marking 31 years since Rwanda’s Liberation and 25 years of community policing. “The idea of security goes beyond the absence of war. It includes dignity, access to opportunities, and hope for every citizen,” said Kanyamahanga. Kicukiro District Executive Administrator, Antoine Mutsinzi, welcomed the completed projects, especially a bridge near a local school that had been a longstanding community concern. “In the three years I’ve been in office, I joined community work Umuganda on three occasions to try and restore this bridge,” he said. “Today, we celebrate its completion alongside other achievements like the ECD centre in Gatenga Sector.” “This is not the end. We are continuing. For instance, 30 houses for genocide survivors have been upgraded with support from residents.” Valens Mudacumura, the ECD supervisor in Kinyinya Sector, Gasabo District, said the newly built Murama ECD centre is the fourth to be added in the area, helping address a long-standing gap in early childhood services. “This centre is a much-needed solution. It was built to accommodate 60 children, but we have already received requests for 130,” he said. Mudacumura noted that the facility is expected to play a key role in reducing malnutrition and keeping young children off the streets, especially those whose parents are unable to provide consistent care.
