Security forces will intervene after six months of a sensitisation campaign aimed at getting beggars off the streets and the government supports them in starting out small businesses.
The decision was announced yesterday in a meeting that brought together city officials and 400 persons living with disabilities.
The CoK Vice-mayor in charge of social affairs, Patricia Muhongerwa pledged the government’s support but urged beggars to stop begging and acquire business skills.
“We are going to collaborate with security agencies. It is fine for those who have stopped but the remaining are going to face problems as security forces are going to exercise the power upon them,” she cautioned.
She said that begging practices tarnish the image of Kigali City, reminding that Rwanda’s capital city continues to lead others in security and hygiene as Rwanda also remains among the most secured and cleanest Africa’s countries.
“It is a shame to see a Rwandan begging; it doesn’t honour you or the society and the country. This begging mindset can’t help people develop good thinking but keeps them in poverty,” she said.
The Central Region Police Spokesperson, SSP Emmanuel Hitayezu said that begging is a crime in Rwanda’s Penal Code.
The article 690 of Rwanda’s Penal Code states that a person found begging faces a sentence from eight days to six months in prison.
“It becomes worse when a beggar puts pressure on people and sometimes with troublesome acts,” he said.
The President of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), Romalis Niyomugabo said there no reason anyone should live on begging because the government has different programmes aimed at supporting people with disabilities.
“There are many people who get out begging but if they had to approach the government institutions or our union, we would advocate for them and get financial support that would help them live better,” he said.
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