The Rwanda Defence Forces [RDF] today officially received a JMC 4000 weapons destroyer, a machine that will be used by the RDF to destroy illicit small arms.

The UK Defence Attaché, Lt. Col. Simon Etherington, officially handed over the equipment to Lt. Col. Innocent Kabandana, Head of Logistics [J4], at Kanombe Military barracks.

Kabandana who represented the RDF, commended the UK Government for the support. He noted that the machine had enabled the RDF to destroy over 34,000 illicit arms.

This he said will contribute to the enhancement of peace and security in the Great Lakes Region.

He added that many RDF personnel and the National Police are now equipped with skills to operate the Weapons Destroyer thanks to the training offered by members of the British Army.

Other RDF officers that were present at the ceremony include Major Gatete Karuranga, Commanding Officer of Maintenance Battalion, Major Vianney Cuba, Commanding Officer of Transport Battalion and ACP Vianney Nshimiyimana, National Coordinator for Small Arms Management.

The machine has the capacity to destroy up to 50 pistols per hour.

Ends