GISAGARA – Police in Gisagara District have arrested and detained a 60-year-old woman for assaulting a census agent on duty.The woman was arrested Friday and detained at Save Police post. The incident occurred as one Bertilde Uwimana, a district enumerator, was conducting the door-to-door counting exercise in Gasambu village, Gatoki cell of Save sector. Police told The New Times Uwimana was attacked with a hoe. As she attempted to escape from her attacker, she lost documents pertaining to her work, Police sources said.The Regional Police Commander (RPC), CSP Elias Mwesigye, said the suspect burned-out the bag which contained the documents of the enumerator.He condemned the incident and warned residents against opposing development programmes.“Residents must understand that no one has [the rights] to disrupt development policies,” CSP Mwesigye said.“Whoever will try to frustrate the programme will face the law,” he warned.The Coordinator of the National Census, Prosper Mutijima, condemned the incident and urged the population to collaborate during the whole period of the exercise.“We have made efforts to prepare the population for this exercise and local leaders have helped in sensitising them. It is not understandable how one can act like that,” Mutijima said.He noted that this is the first incident of its kind since the start of the door-to-door counting exercise.According to Mutijima, the census officials have so far registered cases of resistance in Huye and Kamonyi districts of the Southern Province. The resistance comes mainly from members of Abagorozi, an outlawed religious sect, Mutijima said.Abagorozi are known for their distinctive beliefs and for making a determined stand against various national programmes and policies.Last week, a court in Ruhango sentenced 15 members of the sect to 12 months in prison and imposed a fine of Rwf 50 000 after convicting them of obstructing development programmes and violation of children’s rights to education.“Residents must understand that the census is being conducted in the interest of every citizen and that of the country in general. So, cooperating is a responsibility of each and everyone. People should desist from conduct which might land them in courts,” Mutijima added.At least 16,500 enumerators, including one for every village (Umudugudu), will visit every household.The exercise, which will cost Rwf16.5 billion, is expected to help the country know where it is in terms of development for its entire population. The census is scheduled from August 16-30.Its final results are expected to be announced in 2014.
