MUHANGA - Music and dance filled the prisons of Gitarama and Mpanga as inmates were released on parole, yesterday. The release comes a few weeks after the cabinet announced the provisional release of 1667 inmates in all prisons in the country.
MUHANGA - Music and dance filled the prisons of Gitarama and Mpanga as inmates were released on parole, yesterday.
The release comes a few weeks after the cabinet announced the provisional release of 1667 inmates in all prisons in the country.
162 inmates were released in the Gitarama prison in Muhanga district, while nine were freed in Mpanga prison in Nyanza district.
The inmates hailed the government, through the Ministry of Justice for considering their request for parole.
The Director of Gitarama prison, Gerard Ntarugera, who presided over the event, explained that those set free had exhibited high level of discipline.
"With help of anti-crime clubs in the prison, most of the inmates showed discipline and a remarkable standard of correction compared to their previous behavior,” Ntarugera said.
One of the paroled female inmates, included Berancilla Mukakabera - who had given birth to a daughter (Clemance Imanishimwe,3 yrs) while serving a five-year sentence for Genocide crimes.
Mukakabera said that the release was a time to reflect on her future life.
"This is an opportunity to take care of my six children, and be a responsible mother. I will use the chance to promote unity and reconciliation, and desist from genocide ideology,” she said.
The former Executive Secretary of Gacurabwenge, Jean Baptiste Rukemampunzi, was among the prominent inmates who were freed.
He was sentenced to four years after pleading guilty to embezzlement of government funds. He had served half his sentence.
"I urge officials to desist from embezzlement so as to work for community growth,” Rukemampunzi advised.