WESTERN PROVINCE

RUSIZI—A group of 78 Rusizi residents were arrested Saturday over dodging Umuganda community work. Police carried out operations in coordination with local-defence units during the work period as early as 8:25 in the morning hours and ending just before noon.

The majority, in their 20s, were apprehended on public roads while loitering around and others were also arrested at their homes where they were just seated and found asleep instead of joining colleagues during the once-a-month community work.

District Police Commander Francis Muheto said that the move was carried in order to punish those who refuse to attend the community service, to send a reminder to the community that the job was still necessary.

"To me I think this move was overdue because residents, particularly the youth, always despise the local-defence forces in the area whenever they tell them to attend any government activity especially Umuganda and Gacaca trials in the region,” and LDU spokesman said.

Damascene Twagirayezu, 27, who was among the arrested residents, feigned excuse while shouldering blame on others.

"For me I have been arrested on my to Gihumdwe hospital where I was going to see a relative of mine who is admitted there but its true that many of my colleagues here have been arrested while seating or sleeping at their respective homes, something which shows that they had really wanted to dodge the community service”.

The group is currently being detained at Kamembe police post and will pay an undisclosed amount as fine for release.

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