As Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) reflected on more than six years of its existence on Friday, October 4, its head said the adoption of advanced technology will help the institution to prevent and detect crimes in the future.

RIB Secretary General Jeannot Ruhunga said this in Kigali during the institution’s fifth general assembly held under the theme, "Professionalism and Transparency Through the Use of Technology.”

"Criminals are increasingly exploiting technological advancements to commit crimes, such as online fraud, making it easier to operate across borders, and enabling the wrongdoers to commit crimes from afar, without having to physically be at the scene,” said Ruhunga.

"Rwanda is significant investment in technology to help RIB outsmart criminals by utilizing tools for detecting and investigating crimes faster and more efficiently.”

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Ruhunga emphasized the importance of professionalism and transparency, particularly through the adoption of advanced technology.

The assembly, which brought together senior government officials and RIB investigators from across the country, evaluated performance of the institution, explored strategies for the future, and ways to reinforce its commitment to integrity and advancing technology in crime prevention.

Ruhunga also highlighted the role citizens can play by reporting criminal activities through various digital platforms, which RIB has established to enhance service delivery and transparency.

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Ruhunga’s emphasis on technology adoption in the investigation bureau is also on the mind of the policymakers, said Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Emmanuel Ugirashebuja.

Ugirashebuja reiterated the need for integrity within RIB, stating that it is one of the core pillars of the bureau&039;s work. He said technology has contributed to improved conviction rates, which are now above 90 per cent.

"The use of top-of-the-range technology, including drones, has been instrumental in achieving high conviction rates, the government will continue investing in technology to ensure even the most complex crimes are investigated thoroughly,” he said.

Ugirashebuja reinforced the government’s commitment to providing RIB with more resources, particularly in training and further technological investment, as part of the five-year National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).

"The pillar of justice and access to justice is central to the NST2. We expect RIB to play a critical role in achieving these goals. More training, enhanced capacity, and further investments in technology will be provided to ensure that the most complex crimes can be investigated effectively and fairly,” he said.

The assembly also addressed challenges such as corruption and delays in gathering evidence, with calls for greater discipline and faster investigative processes.

Investigators who attended the assembly expressed their renewed confidence in their ability to serve the public and uphold justice.

Leonard Nkurunziza, an investigator with six years of experience at RIB, highlighted how the meeting helped strengthen their commitment to integrity and fighting corruption, ensuring that justice is delivered without bias or delay.

"After attending the meeting, I realized my full potential as an investigator. It has equipped us to serve the public more effectively by welcoming their concerns, solving their issues, and guiding them towards justice. We will do this with unwavering integrity, steering clear of corruption, which undermines the pursuit of justice,” said Nkurunziza.

Liliane Bora, an investigator based in Musanze, emphasized the importance of self-assessment and continuous improvement in their work that was highlighted during the assembly.

"There is a need for efficiency and integrity in our duties, and we must increase the speed of our work, particularly when gathering evidence that helps deliver justice, Bora said, adding that, maintaining integrity will that ensure investigators do their work.