Editor,

I would like to thank our National Police for its concerted efforts to combat crimes throughout the country.
I totally agree that statistics revealed by police yesterday that for the last five years, cases of murder had gone down, 36 percent, rape, defilement 34 percent and robbery 4.7 percent are based on realities on the ground.

Why? I have interacted with many friends from outside Rwanda and listening to their interesting stories; there is no doubt that our country is much better compared to other regional countries. A friend of mine from London was telling me the other day that it’s only in Rwanda where traffic police do not demand money in exchange for a service. That our police do not connive with wrong doers to commit crimes.

That at night, visitors walk on the streets of Kigali without turning their heads to see if there is any thug running after them. According to this visitor, it‘s only in Rwanda where you don’t meet pickpockets. But for Rwanda to succeed, we need to appreciate the relative low crime rate we are experiencing and then work hand in hand with security agencies to improve what we have achieved.

The challenge we have is the persistence reports on illicit drugs which seem to have stayed despite vigorous campaign against the vice. I think we need to face it head on, since this vice is a community responsibility where our contribution is highly necessary.

Ben Muhoozi
Rwamagana