About 7,000 students have joined Rwanda Youth Volunteers in Community Policing, an umbrella of university and secondary school students that campaigns for positive change and sustainable security.

Jean-Bosco Mutangana, the president of the organisation, said all the new members are senior six leavers from 15 districts, who are currently attending Itorero (civic education).

"There’s a big turn up of the youth joining the organisation and our target is to have all students in all higher institutions of learning and secondary schools join, which will make it more successful and enable us achieve our targets in the shortest time possible,” said Mutangana.

"We are likely to have as many new members from the remaining districts. We have a target of having all students on board by April, and to have representatives down to the village level,” he added.

The new members bring the number of youth volunteers to about 17, 000.

The association was founded in 2013 by youths from universities to promote positive change in the country’s security and development agenda.

"Our vision is to contribute voluntarily in the country’s socio-economic activities to promote self-reliance and a crime-free society. Such a vision can be achieved when we participate actively in government programmes and uphold dignity, patriotism, unity and security,” Mutangana added. 

editorial@newtimes.co.rw