EASTERN PROVINCE

NYAGATARE — In the wake of the escalating number of sexual offenses in Nyagatare, the District police commander, Superintendent Emmanuel Kalasi has asked local leaders to step up efforts to combat the vice.

He also asked the leaders to toughen the fight against local brew commonly known as kanyanga, which he blamed for sexual offenses.

He was speaking at a sector security meeting recently.

"You have got to help the police in the fight against sex-related offenses." he said. He recalled that last year Nyagatare was ranked second nation-wide in the number of sexual crimes, with 136 offenses registered.

"This number should go down if you’re ready to feed us with information relating to those crimes; during meetings that you often hold in your respective areas," the police chief said.

Kalasi was concerned that sex-related crimes and use of Kanyanga has escalated yet they had previously registered tremendous success in the fight.

"The way kanyanga is being smuggled into the district is unbelievable; it seems you are relaxed giving dealers a loophole to exploit. Remember it’s prohibited in the country so anybody including leaders, who will be caught, will be punished accordingly," he warned.

Members attributed the increase to the leadership vacuum left while many grassroot leaders were attending the national informal education training- Itorero.

The Sector executive secretary, Geoffrey Mushaija pledged to back the police in the fight against the crimes and also called on members to toughen to curb the crimes.

According to police records, sex offenses and kanyanga use are more prevalent in Nyagatare and Rwemiyaga Sectors.

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