As the country prepares for Christmas and New Year celebrations, Rwanda National Police (RNP) has outlined measures to ensure a safe and peaceful festive season. The announcement was made on December 5 as RNP and Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) met with the media in Kigali to provide updates on the national security situation and reinforce cooperation. ALSO READ: Police urges public to enjoy responsibly, ensure safety first during festive season CP George Rumanzi, the Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, explained that in the final days of the year, many activities take place, “but the most significant is the return of more than 240,000 students who travel home for the holidays within a span of four days.” “Security organs work to ensure they reach their destinations safely, without fatal accidents or other criminal incidents.” He added that many Rwandans also travel to rural areas to celebrate the festive season with their families. Call for vigilance during festive season, effective travel planning The Inspector General of Police, CG Felix Namuhoranye, reaffirmed that Rwanda’s security remains stable, but cautioned that both crime and accidents tend to rise toward the end of the year. He urged the media to amplify safety messages as the country heads into Christmas and New Year celebrations. ALSO READ: Festive season: Police vow to crackdown on drunk driving Namuhoranye called on community leaders to guide families and discourage behaviours that could turn celebrations into tragedy, especially reckless or drunk driving. He also warned against underage drinking and other harmful acts. “Children returning from school to celebrate the festive season with their families should not be exposed to alcoholic drinks,” he said, reaffirming the police’s commitment to maintaining public order and safety, while also calling on the public to cooperate diligently, as it is in everyone’s best interest. Police officers also urged the public to help avoid the congestion usually caused by a large number of people travelling upcountry for festive season celebrations, particularly on December 23 and 24, and on December 31, when travel peaks. ALSO READ: Passengers in Kigali start scramble for buses ahead of Christmas, New Year This often leads to a shortage of vehicles and buses due to the high number of passengers. The issue can be mitigated if people plan their travels in advance to avoid such situations, it was noted. Crime prevention and public safety Rumanzi reported a 15.7 per cent decrease in crime in 2025 compared to 2024. He attributed the drop to strengthened crime-prevention efforts. “Security organs intensified efforts to combat theft, drug abuse, and substandard alcoholic drinks, which are among the factors that often lead to wrongdoing and various criminal acts,” he said. Also, he said, security agencies conducted operations to curb technology-enabled fraud and recovered stolen ICT equipment including phones, computers and television sets. Rumanzi noted that police successfully secured major events throughout the year, including concerts and international competitions such as the UCI World Championships. Ahead of the festive season, security agencies are expected to increase presence in entertainment venues, markets, bus parks, and other high-traffic areas. Road safety With higher travel expected during the festive season, road safety will be a central focus of policing efforts. Police reported a 2.4 per cent reduction in road accidents this year, with fatalities dropping from 6.3 to 5.5 per 100,000 people based on World Health Organization (WHO) metrics. Despite the improvement, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and cyclists remain the most affected, Rumanzi indicated. Police officers are expected to intensify roadside checks to curb distracted driving - particularly due to phone use while driving – over speeding, and drunk driving, which are among the leading causes of accidents. Road users are urged to be more responsible.
