The Commissioner General of National Prisons Services (NPS), Mary Gahonzire, has called upon religious leaders across the country to play a key role in promoting peace, unity and reconciliation.

Gahonzire made the call, Thursday, while addressing over 50 religious leaders during a meeting organised by NPS at the Ministry of Local Government headquarters.

"As God’s servants in your respective denominations, you have a responsibility of working with NPS in order to change the behaviour of the inmates through giving them religious teachings which can restore their hearts to become new people” Gahonzire said.

She urged them to avoid working for personal gains in prisons and instead focus on helping inmates become more responsible citizens when they leave prison.

Pastor Ndamage from Ruhango District who was among the participants said: "It’s good for more religious leaders to get involved in preaching the word of God and repentance to prisoners because this will minimise wrongdoing.”

Father Elise Bigirimana from Musanze District urged the clerics to embrace a common objective in promoting hope, peace and unity amongst all Rwandans.”

Ends