The call was made by the Minister of Interior Dr. Vincent Biruta on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, during the pass-out ceremony of the 22nd intake of police officers at the Police Training School (PTS) in Gishari, Rwamagana District.
The graduates, including 337 women, were awarded the rank of Police Constable. The group also included 60 trainees from the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) and 40 from the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS).
Dr. Biruta said that although Rwanda enjoys a generally stable security situation, law enforcement agencies must adapt to changing threats to effectively combat crime.
He noted that, alongside conventional offences such as assault, theft and the use of illicit drugs and counterfeit alcoholic beverages, authorities must address increasingly sophisticated crimes that require specialised skills.
“Today, we are required to tackle crimes committed using technology, online fraud, the misuse of information and artificial intelligence, cross-border crimes, terrorism, human trafficking, corruption and other activities that could undermine public peace and the functioning of state institutions,” Dr. Biruta said.
He described social media as a powerful tool that can either build or undermine public trust and security.
While social media platforms can strengthen relations between citizens and the police by facilitating rapid information sharing, he warned that they can also be used to spread rumours that threaten security if not properly managed.
The minister urged the new officers to prioritise crime prevention rather than focusing solely on investigating offences after they have occurred.
“We want a police force that anticipates potential problems instead of waiting for them to happen. A police force that prevents crime rather than waiting to deal with it after it has been committed, and one that works with citizens to find lasting solutions rather than treating them merely as beneficiaries,” he said.
Dr. Biruta also stressed the importance of building public trust and exercising police powers in accordance with the law and respect for human rights.
“This does not mean that the police should not exercise the powers granted to them by law to prevent crime and take the necessary measures to maintain security. Rather, it requires those powers to be exercised appropriately and in a manner that respects human rights,” he said.
The officers underwent nearly 10 months of basic training, which began on January 30, 2026.
CP Rafiki Mujiji, Commander of the Police Training School in Gishari, said the programme covered firearms handling, discipline, physical fitness, security and public order, police operations, law and communication, among other subjects.
The graduates demonstrated some of the skills acquired during training through practical exercises, including crowd-control techniques, and a parade.
The ceremony also recognised the best-performing trainees. Shema Moses emerged as the overall best trainee, followed by Gatete Jimmy in second place and Musinga Abdallah in third.
Senior officials who attended the ceremony included Inspector General of Police (IGP) CG Felix Namuhoranye, Rwanda Defence Force Fifth Division Commander Major General Ruki Karusisi, Eastern Province Governor Pudence Rubingisa, representatives of NISS, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) and RCS, as well as local government officials.
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