Over 5,038 delinquents have been held at Iwawa Rehabilitation Centre since February 2023 without graduating. Every year, delinquents from across Rwanda are sent to the centre, located on Iwawa Island in Lake Kivu, to be rehabilitated from drug use and other harmful behaviours including theft. After a year of rehabilitation, they always graduate and are sent back to their communities, having developed positive values, overcome addictions, and gained various technical skills. ALSO READ: Former drug addicts find niche in tailoring However, it has now been two years since the last cohort graduated. In an interview with The New Times, Fred Mufulukye, the Director General of National Rehabilitation Service, talked about a number of factors that resulted in the delayed graduation. According to him, the centre is working on a new system in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Governments to better prepare the delinquents for life and work after rehabilitation. The new system is aimed towards better engagement of the rehabilitated individuals into productive activities in their communities. In addition, Mufulukye mentioned that the centre has recently introduced the “I Lead” program, developed by renowned leadership trainer John C. Maxwell. The centre aims for all the delinquents to complete the program before graduating. He also highlighted that the development of a national reintegration policy for delinquents is underway, in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government. The policy is designed to support the reintegration process, and the centre wants it to be finalised before any new group graduates. “We are now revising our approach to assessing delinquents before graduation. Programs such as individual therapy, group therapy, psychoeducation, ergo therapy, family therapy and TVET courses require more than a year for meaningful impact,” he noted. ALSO READ: Ombudsman decries high volume of citizens’ complaints He elaborated on the “I Lead” program, noting that it is based on values, developed by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation. The program focuses on developing participatory leadership skills, encouraging collaborative efforts for positive change, and prioritising service to others. Silas Sinyigaya, Vice Chairperson of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), recently praised several programs at the Iwawa Rehabilitation Centre, including tailoring, electricity, carpentry, masonry, and agriculture. He noted that such initiatives are crucial in helping rehabilitated individuals turn their lives around and make meaningful contributions to society. Established in 2010, the centre helps male delinquents over 18 years old who exhibit deviant behaviours. It provides psychosocial support, medical care, and vocational training in fields such as carpentry, tailoring, and agriculture. With a capacity of 4,000, the centre plans to expand to accommodate 6,000. Since its establishment, more than 21,614 individuals have been rehabilitated and reintegrated into their communities.
