As a measure to keep innocent children born to inmates in prison, the government has concluded an exercise were 54 children were separated from their mothers in several prisons in the country.

The children were taken to various orphanages operating in partnership with the government.

According to the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Dr Jeanne d`Arc Mujawamariya, the children will be re-united with their parents when the latter complete their sentences.

"Today, we concluded the exercise that has seen 54 children who are above three years out of prison and allocated to various orphanages. When their mothers complete their respective sentences, they will be re-united,” Mujawamariya said during the ceremony at Kigali Central Prison.

She explained the dangers of keeping children in prison adding that the exercise was also aimed at enabling children benefit from government programmes like Education.

Clementine Uwase, one of the mothers, said it would be a great opportunity if her child gets access to education.
"I do not have any family members. Therefore If my child is taken and gets the chance to go to school I see this as a great opportunity,” Uwase said.

The children were taken up by seven orphanages including PAMASOR, Home Amizero Kinazi, Antonien Nyanza, Orphelinat Saint Joseph Muhura, Centre Amis de Jesus Ruli, Don Bosco Cyotamakara and Urukundo Foundation.

According to the Director of Kigali Central Prison, Dativa Ngaboyisonga, the prison has 4,553 inmates, 657 women.  90 have children and some are pregnant.

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