RUBIRIZI – Police in Rubirizi District, working alongside local leaders, have warned residents against engaging in criminal activities, saying security agencies have intensified operations to arrest and prosecute offenders.
The warning was issued during a community policing and security sensitisation meeting held at Omukyeya Trading Centre, which brought together residents from more than six villages across Nyabubare Parish in Rutoto Sub-county.
Speaking during the meeting, Rutoto Sub-county LCIII Chairperson Jonan Mujomba, who also chairs the Sub-county Security Committee, said the initiative was aimed at educating communities on preventing crime and promoting peaceful coexistence.
He said the campaign seeks to raise awareness on preventing domestic violence, reducing theft, resolving land disputes peacefully, and strengthening community involvement in maintaining security.
Mujomba urged residents and local leaders to promote harmony, mediation, and responsible leadership in their communities. He also cautioned against engaging in gossip, idle talk, and other unproductive activities that often fuel conflicts within families and villages.
“People should spend their time on productive activities that improve their households instead of engaging in conflicts that can eventually lead them into crime,” he said.
The Officer in Charge (OC) of Rutoto Police Station, Twesigye Bwire, warned residents to desist from criminal acts such as theft, assault, and violence, saying such offences often result in arrests, prosecution, and imprisonment.
He urged members of the public to respect the law and become responsible citizens in order to remain safe and avoid unnecessary court cases.
Bwire further announced that police have launched operations targeting criminals across the sub-county, warning that anyone found violating the law will be arrested and arraigned in court.
He noted that cases of livestock theft, crop theft, drug abuse, and excessive alcohol consumption remain major security concerns in the area and called on residents to abandon such practices.
The police commander also expressed concern over the increasing cases of domestic violence, saying they continue to cause suffering, family breakdowns, and insecurity within communities.
He encouraged residents to work closely with the police by reporting criminals and suspicious activities, stressing that community cooperation is essential in eliminating crime and creating a safer environment for everyone.
The community policing meeting forms part of ongoing efforts by security agencies and local leaders to strengthen public awareness, improve crime prevention, and foster stronger partnerships between law enforcement and local communities in Rubirizi District.
