Category: News

{{President Paul Kagame also the Commander-in-Chief of the Rwanda Defence Forces has named other officers to lead the security and intelligence departments.}}

Col. Dr. Emmanuel Ndahiro is being replaced by Maj. Gen. Karenzi Karake to head the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).

Col. Dan Munyuza who has been the Director of military intelligence is made the new Director of external security replacing Col. Gatete Karuranga.

The new Director of military intelligence is Brig. Gen. Richard Rutatina who has been advisor to President on Security matters.

Rutatina has been replaced by Capt. Patrick Karuretwa who has been heading the security of the first daughter.

The head of the powerful Republican guard Col Tom Byabagamba has also been sent to Ministry of defense to head the anti terrorism desk which is a new department in this ministry.

{{A team of 17 US public health professionals under Peace Corps volunteer program have been sworn in for a two year mandate aimed at improving health standards in the rural.
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The health minister Dr.Agnes Binagwaho applauded the volunteers’ courage to work in the country adding that they ought to learn a lot from the history, especially on how Rwandans have gained courage to progress after the war and Genocide.

“There’s nothing impossible with hope and nothing is impossible with solidarity,” she under scored.

A new country agreement was signed with the government on July 18, 2008. The first new group of thirty-five Public Health trainees arrived in January 2009. They were assigned to the Ministry of Health and the National AIDS Committee to health centers throughout the country.

After the swearing in ceremony the volunteers will depart for rural health clinics and health organizations across the country.

The volunteers have spent two months learning Kinyarwanda and the culture in order to interact well with the community. Jacob Deering, who’s among the volunteers says that he has been assigned to Nyaruguru district in the South province where will assist in public health education.

“The only way to understand the needs of the community is by interacting with them and be part of the society,” he remarked adding that: “Nishimiye kuza mu Rwanda guteza imbere ubuzima (I’m proud to be here and I expect to promote health standards),” he said out.

He said he has been assigned to Nyaruguru district in the South province where will assist in public health education.

“I will conduct trainings that will be highly based on nutrition, hygiene, HIV/AIDS prevention amongst others,” he said.

Mary Abrams the director of Peace Corps in Rwanda noted that several initiatives undertaken by the volunteers have shown progress.She cited education being the most successful with eighty volunteers in various secondary schools where there’re assisting in the nine year free basic education program.

There’re a total of 128 volunteers working in education and health sectors in the country. They join volunteers already serving in health organazations or as math, science and English teachers in secondary schools who have arrived in 4 groups since 2009.

The Peace Corps volunteer initiative was started by past US president John. F. Kennedy fifty years ago. In Rwanda, the Peace Corps signed an agreement with the Rwandan government in 1974 and the first group of Volunteers arrived in 1975. The agency withdrew volunteers in 1993 due to the civil war and the program closed in 1994.

{{Yesterday July 12, in the morning hours the residents in village of Kigabiro, Kinyana cell, Rusororo sector in the district of Gasabo were surprised when a cow delivered 4 calves. Three females and one male.}}

It was unfortunate because 2 died on spot and now the remaining is one female and one male calf.

Rusororo sector veterinary officer, Eric Ndayisaba who made the artificial insemination to this cow was also surprised and said it’s unusual for cows to produce a number of calves at ago.

Leon Mugenzi, the owner of the cow also said that he has been a farmer for a long time but he has never seen this and that he never knew that his cow would produce such a number of calves at ago.

Mugenzi has been a farmer since 2006 and he now owns 10 cows. He is also a Lecturer at the University of Agriculture, Technology and Education of Kibungo (UNATEK) in the Eastern Province.

{{Since early 2010, American Lawyer Peter Erlinder has not had the best of relationships with United Nations or the Rwandan Government.Since 1982, Erlinder has been a professor at William Mitchell College of Law in Minnesota.
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He has worked on the defense counsel on for many unpopular, and high-profile cases including the legal defense of Mohammed Abdullah Warsame, a Canadian citizen who in 2009 pleaded guilty in federal court in Minneapolis to aiding Al-Queda.

Other high profile-clients have included, Sami al-Arian, a former University of South Florida professor who pleaded guilty in 2006 to conspiring to aid terrorists. Either way records show a trend of defending those who are not exactly well-liked by the public.

However, this trend took a dangerous turn on May 28th of 2010 when Erlinder was arrested and charged with promotion of genocide ideology and denial by Rwanda National Police. On the Wednesday of the following week, police officials checking in on him in the morning found him unconscious overdosed with a handful of his own prescription drugs.

Erlinder was eventually officially announced as released on June 17th, 20 days later, for health reasons. He remained in King Faisal Hospital before and after announcement of the verdict, later returning to America for better medical services.

Most recently, in April of this year Erlinder returned to the headlines when he was barred by the United Nations from working at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda after refusing to appear in court in Tanzania as defense counsel for major Rwandan genocide suspects, such as Victoire Ingabire. He now resides back in the U.S. as a law professor at William Mitchell College of Law in Minnesota.

Since this incident, Erlinder has been reprimanded for his behavior at the ICTR by the UN, ICTR officials as well as by Rwandan government officials that todate defend the arrest of Erlinder.

However, few have attempted to get the infamous lawyers side of the story and ask the man himself what exactly happened in his brush with Rwanda.
Whether or not Erlinder displayed unprofessionalism during his work in Rwanda is difficult to judge, however, barely any stories exist containing his perspective.

In an exclusive interview with {Igihe.com}, Erlinder finally has spoken. Below we bring you excerpts of the raw interview.

{Igihe.com}: {{Why is it that you often take the defense cases for defendants that may be deemed “unpopular”?}}

The second President of the U.S. John Adams defended British Soldiers who killed American colonists, and won acquittals before an American jury “facts are stubborn things” without a vigorous defense of those the majority considers “unpopular” there is no democracy and Facts are Facts.

{Igihe.com } : {{What are the difficulties of defending such cases?}}

Being confused with one’s clients and discovering facts, those in power would prefer not to be known as John Adams said “facts are stubborn things.”

{Igihe.com } : {{From your account what happened in 2010, and how did it affect the way you are viewed defending your particular clients?}}

It is not my account, the defense was based on original UN and USG documents in evidence at the ICTR which reports events in 1990-1995 that are completely the reverse of that told by those who won the war.

This happens in all wars; the difference here is that the UN and USG have records that describe a different set of events….

{Igihe.com } : {{Do you feel that the Rwandan government had valid reason to this considering what happened in 1994?}}

The government and all who suffered in 1994 have valid reasons for explaining their views. I was not in Rwanda and cannot express an independent viewpoint.

I have reported only the judgment of the ICTR that the upper levels of the FAR were not engaged in a long term conspiracy to commit crimes against the civilian population before, or after April 1994, including genocide.

This does not mean that such a conspiracy did not exist. Just that, after 15 years there was insufficient evidence to prove it in court when all evidence was considered, including UN and USG documents.

{Igihe.com } : {{Rwandan government spokeswoman Louise Mushikiwabo was quoted saying about your arrest, We understand that human rights activists schooled in the U.S. Bill of Rights may find this objectionable.
But for Rwandans — schooled in the tragedy of the 1994 genocide — Mr. Erlinder’s arrest is an act of justice.

What is your response to this? Do you feel she has a point about differing views of justice?}}

Every country makes its own laws, it is not my place to tell Rwanda what it’s laws should be.

But, in the U.S had a law been passed that said only one side was responsible for all crimes in the U.S. civil war and the other side was the victims, it would not only have violated the U.S. constitution, but would have distorted history and prevented an honest discussion of how to reach reconciliation because there has never been a civil war in which only one side was the victim and the other the criminals, including U.S. civil war and WWI and II.

{Igihe.com} :{{What was your experience in jail like in Rwanda? }}

The individuals treated me well, in the context of RPF control of government and courts.

{Igihe.com} :{{ Do you believe yourself as innocent when you were jailed? What did this reveal to you about the Rwandan government?}}

I wrote factually correct articles and statements in the U.S., in Europe, and the ICTR in English.

ICTR was never accused of making any public statements in Rwanda. The question of guilt or innocence depends entirely upon how the Rwandan government decides to define the crime.

{Igihe.com} : {{Why did you refuse to appear to court in late April for the defense of your clients in Tanzania?}}

The ICTR record reflects that my co-counsel and I were under doctor’s orders not to travel for medical reasons, which were supplied to the Chamber confidentially long before the hearing.

{Igihe.com } :{{What has life been like since the UN barred you from the international tribunal?}}

I continue my normal work, being barred as punishment for following written physicians orders is viewed as bizarre in all normal legal systems and the first time it has occurred in any international tribunal, which reflects badly on the ICTR, rather than me.

{Igihe.com} :{{ Do you regret your actions at all? Why/Why not? Would you go back and change anything you did during that time?}}

I provided my credentials to Rwandan Embassy in DC before I left, informing of my mission, U.S. State Deptartment, Rwandan Justice Ministry Public Prosecution, etc.

Had they preferred I not enter the country, they could have turned me away at the border because my entering Rwanda and my purpose was not a surprise and I attempted to behave in an open an professional manner.

I made the mistake of thinking Rwanda would not claim criminal jurisdiction over writings/speeches in other countries, since I never said or did anything in Rwanda that violated Rwanda law and had not been in Rwanda since 2004. I was wrong.

{Igihe.com} : {{What is your work now?}}

The same as it has always been, the ICTR case had only 4 hours left to complete the 8-year case.

{Igihe.com } : {{What else do you feel is important for the public to know about your side of this story?}}

Of course…but I fear for anyone in Rwanda who reports accurately that the “genocide of Tutsi” story now memorialized by the RPF government does not explain the whole story of what happened in 1994 and the UN description of “a genocide of Tutsi and moderate Hutus” includes Hutus as victims and can only be a “genocide” if they were killed by perpetrators other than Hutus, not just according to me, but according to the UN, and the details are explained in the documentary evidence in the Military 1-2 cases at the ICTR.

{Igihe.com}: {{In your own words, please describe the events leading up to your arrest in 2010 as well as the 20-days you spent in prison/hospital until your release on June 18th?}}

I had not been in Rwanda since 2005, when I spent about 1 week on UN mission. Before I entered Rwanda I notified the Rwandan embassy in Washington DC that I wished to enter the country, so that they could turn me away at the border if they wished, as they had done so to a Human Rights Worker earlier that week and the US. State Dept members of Congress. I informed all that Ms. Ingabire had asked me to consult with her.

After I arrived in Rwanda on May 23, I presented my credentials to Justice Ministry and to Mr. Ngoga’s office and bumped into Mr. Ngoga himself.

I went to US embassy and UN ICTR office to inform them that I was in Rwanda to consult with Ms. Ingabire. I spent 4 days in my hotel and consulting with Ms. Ingabire. I made no public statements and wrote no published documents in Rwanda, never.

I was arrested while having breakfast before leaving for the airport on May 28. I prefer not to comment on my detention or the Rwandan government’s conclusion that I attempted to commit suicide.

{Igihe.com}: {{What exactly is your current stance upon the 1994 Rwandan Genocide and what is it based upon?}}

I have no independent conclusion and rely only on the evidence presented by the Rwandan government, ICTR prosecutors, and the original documents in UN and USG files reporting what was occurring according to US and UN personnel 1990 to 1995, as well as the ICTR judgments in Military 1 and 2, which are the only 2 ICTR judgments which have considered this evidence:

The UN/USG documents and Military1-2 Judgements show that;

1. Military 1-2 Judgments both found…NO long term conspiracy by FAR upper level officers to commit genocide or other crimes against tutsi, or other civilians before, or after, April 6, 1994, I accept this as the Judgment of two trial chambers of the ICTR…the prosecution has not appealed;

2. Many Tutsi were killed after April 6 1994 in ways that meet the definition of genocide, some which did not….according to the documentary evidence at the ICTR, not me;

3. Many Hutu were killed after April 6, 1994 in ways that did not meet the definition of genocide, some of which that did….according to the documentary evidence at the ICTR, not me;

4. According to the evidence in the ICTR prosecutor’s files, both the RPF and FAR committed massive crimes for which both sides should be prosecuted at the ICTR according to ICTR Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte’s memoirs, published in English Feb. 2009, not me;

If one examines the basis for Rwanda’s charges against me….they are based on articles I wrote in the U.S. that cite evidence or other sources, such as the Economist or the Military-1 Judgement, I cannot say that either is objectively correct….but I can say that the Judgement was issued after given the RPF government almost 10 years to prove that there WAS a conspiracy….for which there IS no evidence.

This does not mean that there WAS no conspiracy…just that there is NO EVIDENCE to support the charge.

{Igihe.com } : {{Thank you, hope to hear from you soon!}}

Good luck…I hope you can report with or without distorting the meaning…I don’t know how this will be possible and I hope you stay safe, which is unlikely if you are in Rwanda and not working for the RPF directly or indirectly, as we both know.

{{Although the introduction of modern agriculture skills has dominated local farming practices, some farmers still insist that indigenous ways of planting would be more essential if they were improved.
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This is because the majority of traditional practices are still affordable compared to the modern ones which are not only inaccessible but also require some expertise from the farmers.

However, modern skills on the other hand have proved to advance the yield of those using them yet the worry is on the decline of some of the native practices which can fused with the integrated methods.

Xavier Mvuyekure, a farmer in Ngoma district in Gasanga sector explains that he doesn’t bother himself to buy pesticides since he can fight the pests through traditional methods which are far much affordable.

“In case of a tomato or potato infection, I spray my plants with a fluid derived from garlic, soap jell and pepper, it really works like magic since within a few days change is seen on my crops,” he comments.

This is not enough, Mvuyekure boasts of knowing several traditional measures to fight pests: “With bananas for instance, after harvesting a banana which is joined to another stem, I make sure I cut its roots then later on I use a leaf or a polythene paper to cover the cut part, the trick is to avoid pests often formulated in the soil to affect the remaining banana plant” says the farmer.

Moreover, Crop rotation is another organic farming practice that enables consecutive planting of different crops on the same land in order to improve soil fertility as well as control insects and pests.

Another interesting traditional practice is the use of manure which is effective in several types of crops. Dr. Jean-Pierre Busogoro, the Technical Assistant at Belgian Development Agency (BTC) insists that the best homemade manure should be decomposed for six months and above.

“The longer the decaying process, the more the nutrients become efficient. Another thing farmers need to note is that during planting the seed is mixed with manure in order to facilitate an effective germination,” he advises.

The use of indigenous skills does not only improve the yield but also traditional seeds are important too since most of them interact well in the local soil.

However better farming skills are essential. Dr. Busogoro highlights that in bananas for instance the Rwanda’s Injagi type would do better compared to the FHIA 25hybrid banana if proper planting and cultivation practices are adhered to.

By: Diana Mutimura

{{Many people may not give physical fitness the attention it deserves but Mugabo Claude who does his gym exercise at The Manor Hotel in Nyarutarama says fitness is very important to a person’s life because physical fitness keeps you active and strong.}}

He adds that routine fitness exercises reduces nervousness and depression besides physical fitness as well as lowering the risk of heart diseases.

Giving a personal experience, Mugabo says he has spent 15 years doing different fitness exercises that have helped him shape his body size, weight and strength.

The Manor’s Sal’s Fitness center is designed to ease the pressures of life, rejuvenate and promote health.

Sal’s Fitness is spacious and offers fitness assessment, with qualified instructors, personal training programs in a Gymnasium, Aerobics Studio and massage.

{Igihe.com} interacted with Emmanuel Buregeya, the fitness instructor at The Manor Hotel gym. He explains the importance of body fitness as a twenty year trainer experienced in training on body fitness.

Buregeya says that gym is a place for every one despite the age, sex and status. He notes that at the gym he receives young ladies that workout to maintain their body figures, mothers who want to reduce weight and men who want to become muscular or minimize their weights.

He cautions people to always go for medical checkup to ease work for the trainer because sometimes a person may like sports and does not tell the truth. This could cause health problems due to subjection of their bodies to tough exercises.

He describes some of the physiological feature which changes because of physical fitness when it is done every day.

Features such as Composition, flexibility, and mental clarity are components of physical fitness which are influenced by regular physical and mental exercise.

Buregeya observes that when some think of fitness, the first thing that pops into minds is the fatness or making body muscles for men but the busier our lives get, the more dependent we become on things that make our lives easier such as cars, computers and television sets which can also encourage us to be less active and cause fatigue.

The gym specialist advices people to embrace the fitness club and swimming to curb stress complications at once.

Although most people see Massage palours, saunas, aerobic gym and, swimming as treasure for the rich people, Emmanuel believes that if people like sports, money wouldn’t be a problem to any one and he says people avoid that mentality.

For safety at the gym, he says does the job as a professional. In case of an emergency, first Aid is given. To him the doctor is not needed as long as the person presents their medical history.

Emmanuel emphasizes that it’s all about being totally fit, when you are living and active with a balanced lifestyle. At The Manor Hotel the big number received at the fitness center are women and men that want to reduce weight, keep fit and strong.

For Africans naturally, we eat all the organic food needed, do long walks which can be seen as a form of exercise to people who cannot afford the gym costs and that is necessary to one’s body because eating without exercising, the body is useless and that’s the reason many opt for sauna to reduce body fats.

In life, there are challenges in everything and the manager of The Manor’s Sal’s Fitness center who prefered to remain annonymous citing personal reasons says that, as a part of business they receive few people yet the employer will need their pay on time.

Emmanuel warns some ladies who opt for a short-cut in maintaining their body figures or weight by taking drugs that occassionaly have negative side effects on their lives. But going to gym is the answer to all problems relating to fitness with no side effects.

Gym, sauna, and massage are related and that is why all options are offered at the hotel. However, Emmanuel wonders why people go for sauna many times and he advises them to go for it for at least twice in a week, because going there every day the respiratory system opens which makes it easier for the germs to enter.

{{Rwanda has reduced poverty by 4.4 percent through the Local Government Social Protection Program (VUP) under Rwanda Local Development Support Fund (RLSDF).
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The RLSDF was introduced in March 2008 with the aim of reducing extreme poverty in the country from 36.9 % to 23.4 % before the end of 2012.

Gatsinzi Justin, Deputy Director General for the social protection program says: “In the VUP program our poverty reduction strategy operates through three approaches which are public works , direct support and credit assistance”.

According to Gatsinzi, the program covers a wide network across the country with operations in 120 sectors: “In terms of direct support we have so far given more than Frw 2.7 billion to 44, 263 people living in extreme poverty in 90 sectors this year” says Gatsinzi.

He pointed out that those not living below the poverty line were given credit assistance that has made remarkable results. At the moment from 2010, 37,215 people were given credit worth Frw4.1 billion.

Gatsinzi also revealed that from the credit issued through VUP program, about 5,869 cows were purchased, while 17,433 houses built.

The credit scheme enabled the people to acquire farms totaling 10,495 and more 60,783 individuals were able to access community healthcare under RAMA medical scheme.

Gatsinzi further pointed out that dropout rates have significantly reduced and this shows that VUP is contributing to the education sector as well says Kayiza Fidele, Deputy Director General for local development in the RLSDF.

“VUP as a result of providing easier access to education is facilitating the implementation of the 12 year basic education scheme.” He stressed..

In the strategy of public works, more than 200,000 people were employed from 2010 until now and through their hard work 593km of road were constructed as well as 43 classrooms 88 bridges and 110 wells.

“The outcome of this program through the 90 sectors it has operated in has been tremendous through the socio economic benefits it has generated,” says Gatsinzi

Jabo Paul, Executive Secretary the western province provided his views on the impact that the program has had in the region.

“We live in an area of high economic potential, with fertile soils, possibility of fishing from lake Kivu and potential market from the boarder but despite this potential, the population is poor.

“However the introduction of VUP has helped raise awareness and skills among the population, 90% now have access to healthcare that increased from 30 per cent, the poor grass thatched houses -Nyakatsi have been eradicated” he explained adding that Agriculture has Vastly improved and 1060 people have now been employed through public works.

This development program is specifically within Rwanda’s long-term initiative- Vision 2020 and the global Millennium Development Goals that targets eradication poverty in all developing countries by 2015.

By: {Igihe.com}

{{Residents of Gasabo’s Ndera area are calling upon the government to provide them with more clean water and extending water supply in the area.
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The call comes amid many suffering from waterborne diseases.

Residents can only access clean water weekly, yet those fetching from water fountains have to pay frw20 to frw5 which is unaffordable to the vulnerable.

In this respect, those that can’t fetch enough for the whole week have no choice but get unsafe water from nearby swamps contaminated with sewage.

The dwellers are worried with the lack of concern from authorities. Willy Ndizeye an official at Gasabo district acknowledged that the problem needed immediate attention.

“We’re aware of the problem that’s why we included extension water activities in the budget and I assure residents that the required infrastructure will be fixed soon,” Ndizeye said.

Despite comments by district officials, residents claim that they’ve been fed with similar hopeful remarks in the past and that it was time the authorities acted accordingly.

Business entities in the area are threatening to close due to lack of adequate water,learning institutions like Apred Ndera are among the affected.

A teacher from the high school attributed the problem to poor management of resources as well as ignorance from responsible personnel.

By: Supreetha Gubbala

{{RUBAVU}}–{A five-day Rwanda government Pandemic Disaster Response Tabletop Exercise is taking place at Lake Serena Hotel in Gisenyi. }

Officials from the United States African Command (AFRICOM) , Center for Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance in Medicine (CDHAM) and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR) are gathered in Gisenyi western province to scale up partnership between foreign partners and MIDIMAR to enhance capacity of Rwanda’s disaster response, and test it’s aptitude on how to respond to disaster events.

“We are here because we all realize that the occurrence of devastating pandemic is not science fiction,” Minister of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs Gen. Marcel Gatsinzi said in his opening remarks on behalf of Prime Minister who was unable to attend the event.

Gen. Gatsinzi refered to the 1918 influenza pandemic that in its three waves of destruction managed to kill 30-50 million people worldwide and continues to remind the world of possible pandemics.

Africa’s particular demon, along with the global scare of SARS in 2003 and H1N1 in 2009, was the outbreak of cholera throughout the latter have of the 1990s.

“Due to the potential speed of transmission and the far reaching effects that can be expected, waiting until a pandemic strikes can be disastrous for everyone.”

The Minister brought up difficult and interesting questions for the audience, that were aimed to be addressed at the conference.

“If we rely on police protection to maintain security normally, at what point do we call on our Militaries to ensure security? Communities, businesses and local authorities also need to be thinking about measures that can be taken in case schools or businesses need to be shut down for sometime,” he questioned.

The Minister’s remarks were followed by those of Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy Anne Casper and the Senior Leader Representative Brigadier General Stayce Harris.

Casper emphasized on the role of the U.S. Government in this effort as a partnership, something key to ensuring that Rwanda does not become dependent upon foreign partners.

“ And let me stress the word ‘partnership’,” she told the audience, “ Those of us who have the privilege of living in Rwanda and working side-by-side with our counterparts everyday…are humbled by the gains you have made, the challenges you have overcome and the spirit of perseverance that emanates from the heart of every Rwandan.”

She concluded in Kinyarwanda stating, “Twese Hamwe, turabishoboye,” which means “Together, we can do it.”

Brigadier General Harris reiterated AFRICOM’s mandate in Rwanda as,“The importance of preparedness for a response, clear command and control in multi-jurisdictional disasters, and regional cooperation during a severe pandemic disaster.”

In interview with the press, AFRICOM advisor Erik Threet emphasized, “If you can practice it now, you can respond better to these kinds of situations.”

However, they also clarified they were not particularly emphasizing refugee situations, which also remains a part of MIDIMAR’s mandate.

About their role in this area, Threet said, “ It would provide the military to be more coordinated with UN organizations that are more responsible for refugee camps and if there is a need for the military police to do social dissenting, then they are practicing for it now.”

Reacting to weakness of Rwanda’s disaster response capacity at the moment, the representative responded, “Just like within any continent, it is the coordination aspect, who do you call, who does what. Moreover, many times, you do not get a chance to practice before disaster hits. I think coordination and communication are key challenges to any response to a disaster.”

Another vital issue for Rwanda in disaster situations and pandemics is a shortage of resources, and medical supplies.

When questioned as to how AFRICOM would aid with this, Threet told {Igihe.com}, “USAID, Project Prepare are here helping pursue other donors for the government to plan for resources to be provided in those situations.”
We would work first to see what their capabilities are here.

Brigadier General Harris, told igihe.com that AFRICOM looks to regional capabilities and collaboration, because when a pandemic hits, it knows no borders.

She mentioned that this tabletop workshop had already been conducted successfully in Kenya, Tanzania, and Benin.

The rest of the days events include planning for pandemics via the military expertise of national coordination.

Workshops will be lead by various regional leaders in the field including the National Disaster Operations Center, Abuja Nigerian Ministry of Defense, Uganda Peoples Defense Forces, UNOCHA African Union Liaison Office, WHO Kigali Office, and the Director of Disaster Management and Program Coordinator at MIDIMAR.

{{Aimed at improving Community policing and reducing crime rate,Rwanda National Police is holding a four-day training involving law enforcers and District Liaison officers to strengthen Police cooperation with the public.}}

The training will introduce participants to a new communication strategy adopted by Police as a means to deliver services effectively.

Addressing the trainees at police headquarters in Kacyiru, the Inspector General of Police Emmanuel Gasana insisted that they were accountable to the public, while the role of community liaison officers is to facilitate the accountability by acting as the bridge between the public and the Police.

“Your role is to bridge the gap and this seminar will help you to understand your job better as well as understanding the connection between the public and community liaison,” Gasana said.

He pointed out that trainees need to know how to gather information, data and report to decision-making authorities within National Police to enable Police to be accountable to public.

The role of media too was highlighted by urging police to collaborate with the press. Affirming the matter, Brig. Gen. Gasana stressed that anyone who does not use the media stands to lose.

“You are the mirrors of police and you should be characterized by integrity and honesty,” Gasana told police officers adding, “You are the ones to portray the positive image of the Police”.

This he stressed also means that police officers should not use their roles in corrupt ways but instead serve the interest of public without seeking favors.

The Police spokesperson Sup.Theos Badege said that after the four-day training, participants will be equipped with basic skills on story writing, photography and overall picture of what is required of them as public relations and community liaison officers