Rwanda National Police (RNP) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA) and the National Cooperatives Confederation of Rwanda (NCCR).

The partnership will focus on capacity building of cooperatives in areas related to security and sharing of relevant information related to the protection of cooperatives operating in the country.

The agreement was signed at the Police headquarters in Kacyiru yesterday by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Emmanuel K. Gasana, Damien Mugabo, the director-general of RCA and Augustin Katabarwa, the chairman of NCCR.

In his remarks, IGP Gasana commended the partnership, noting that it will be beneficial in such a way that it will ensure accountability, transparency of cooperatives, as well as provide a safe and crime-free environment for their activities.

"As part of implementation of this partnership, RNP commits to building the capacity of cooperatives in areas related to the security of members and property, as well as ensuring that regulations are respected. This will help cooperatives to execute their responsibilities in a stable and safe environment,” Gasana said.

"We all know that without security and peace, you cannot talk about development. That is why institutional partnerships are important in the advancement of fruitful collaboration that focuses on the national vision of peace, unity and economic development.”

According to Mugabo, under the agreement, the RCA’s responsibilities will range from setting up mechanisms to ensure cooperative members abide by the law, as well as monitoring and fighting crimes that may engulf cooperatives.

"We will ensure that we provide timely information related to cooperative audits, behaviour of members in accordance to national laws, as well as conduct frequent training and sensitisation campaigns deemed necessary in the advancement of security,” he said.

On the side of RCCA, Katabarwa noted that the confederation will primarily identify training gaps within cooperative members, as well as mobilise sensitisation programmes for members on matters pertaining to security.

The Police will also see to it that it provides security advisory services to cooperatives to ensure that they fully appreciate the need to follow national laws whenever they face a dispute or a situation of insecurity.

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