Rwanda’s security institutions have launched a nationwide campaign aimed at improving the living conditions of citizens through community development projects that will run for three months across the country.
The initiative, jointly organized by the Rwanda National Police, the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), and other public institutions, comes as the country commemorates 32 years since Rwanda’s liberation. During this period, security agencies will engage directly with communities to deliver practical support in areas such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, environmental protection, and social welfare.
Authorities estimate that the nationwide activities will require more than 2.5 billion Rwandan francs, reflecting the scale of the initiative and the ambition to reach communities in all provinces.
The program began simultaneously in different regions of the country, with senior government officials and security leaders joining residents on the ground to launch the projects.
Security and Social Well-Being
At the national launch event in Kigali, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Administration and Personnel, DCG Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza, emphasized that protecting citizens goes beyond maintaining law and order.
She noted that security institutions must also play a role in improving the quality of life of the people they serve.
“Our responsibility is not limited to safeguarding security,” she said while addressing residents during the launch ceremony. “True security includes ensuring that citizens live in dignified conditions and have access to essential services.”
Several community development activities are planned in the capital city alone.
Over the next three months, new classrooms and sanitation facilities worth more than 350 million francs will be built to support schools facing overcrowding. Authorities also plan to construct an Early Childhood Development (ECD) center in Ndera Sector, which will expand access to early education services for families in the area.
Education Minister Joseph Nsengimana praised the commitment shown by Rwanda’s security forces in supporting development sectors such as education.
“The collaboration between security institutions and social sectors is essential,” the minister said. “When institutions work together, communities benefit in lasting ways.”
Housing for Vulnerable Families in Western Province
In Rwanda’s Western Province, the campaign began with the launch of a housing project designed to support vulnerable households.
The Inspector General of Police, CG Felix Namuhoranye, joined Western Province Governor Jean Bosco Ntibitura and the commander of the RDF’s Third Division, Maj. Gen. Eugene Nkubito, to lay the foundation stone for 30 houses that will be constructed for disadvantaged families.
The homes will be built in Bigogwe Sector in Nyabihu District, a mountainous area where many families struggle with inadequate housing.
Speaking at the ceremony, CG Namuhoranye highlighted the importance of collaboration between citizens and security institutions.
“We are launching this program together with the community because protecting a nation goes hand in hand with caring for its people,” he said. “That is why we have chosen projects that make a real difference in the daily lives of Rwandans.”
Residents who attended the ceremony expressed gratitude for the initiative, saying the new homes will bring dignity and stability to families that have long lived in fragile housing.
Expanding Education Infrastructure in Southern Province
In the Southern Province, efforts are focused on strengthening technical education infrastructure.
Minister of Defence Juvenal Marizamunda, alongside Southern Province Governor Alice Kayitesi, officially launched the construction of ten classrooms, administrative buildings, and laboratory facilities at Kigese Technical Secondary School located in Rugalika Sector, Kamonyi District.
The project aims to improve the learning environment for students pursuing technical and vocational education, a key pillar of Rwanda’s economic transformation strategy.
Addressing local residents and students gathered at the school, Marizamunda emphasized that community engagement remains central to national security.
“This annual program brings together security institutions, local leaders, and citizens,” he said. “It strengthens cooperation between the population and the state.”
He added that sustainable peace cannot exist without active participation from communities.
“Security and development are inseparable. Lasting security is only possible when citizens themselves are involved in building their future,” he said.
Health Services and Infrastructure in Northern Province
In Gicumbi District, Northern Province, the campaign took on a strong healthcare focus.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Yvan Butera, joined military and local officials to launch free medical services at the Byumba Teaching Level II Hospital.
The medical outreach program brings together military doctors and civilian health professionals to provide specialized treatment to residents who might otherwise struggle to access such services.
Patients are receiving consultations and treatments in several medical fields, including pediatrics, surgery, gynecology, orthopedics, ear-nose-and-throat care, dermatology, and dental services.
For many residents, the opportunity to receive specialized care close to home is significant.
A mother who had traveled from a nearby village with her young child said the program saved her a long journey to seek treatment elsewhere.
“Specialist doctors are not always easy to reach for people like us,” she said while waiting outside the hospital. “Having them here helps many families.”
Meanwhile, infrastructure improvements are also underway in the region.
Northern Province Governor Maurice Mugabowagahunde, together with Maj. Gen. Alex Kagame, commander of the RDF Reserve Forces, and regional police officials launched the reconstruction of Ryabazira Bridge.
The bridge connects Rurambo Cell in Remera Sector, Musanze District with Cyabingo Sector in Gakenke District, providing an important link to the Kigali–Musanze highway.
Once completed, the bridge is expected to restore smooth transport for traders, farmers, students, and commuters who rely on the route daily.
Local traders say the bridge will significantly reduce travel time and improve access to the nearby Ryabazira Market, which serves surrounding communities.
Livestock Support and Environmental Action in Eastern Province
In Kayonza District, Eastern Province, the focus of the campaign is economic empowerment and environmental conservation.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Solange Uwituze, distributed livestock including cows and goats to 32 vulnerable families in Mwili Sector.
The program is designed to strengthen household income and encourage self-reliance among families facing economic challenges.
Livestock programs have long been part of Rwanda’s rural development strategy, helping households generate income through milk production, manure for farming, and livestock breeding.
At the same time, environmental activities are also being carried out in neighboring districts.
The Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force, Gen. Mubarakh Muganga, joined residents in Ngarama Sector, Gatsibo District, to launch a large-scale tree-planting campaign.
Muganga urged citizens to actively participate in environmental protection efforts.
“These activities used to last only one week,” he said. “Now they extend beyond three months so that we can share our knowledge and contribute our energy in meaningful ways from planting forests to building homes and providing medical services.”
He emphasized that the program is designed to help communities find practical solutions to local challenges.
Community Safety and Responsible Citizenship
In Nyagatare District, the campaign also included a strong message about community safety.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Vincent Biruta, joined military and police leaders to launch activities in Rwempasha Sector, encouraging residents to maintain vigilance against crime and harmful practices.
Biruta warned against the dangers of drug trafficking and the consumption of illicit substances.
“We ask citizens to remain vigilant,” he said. “Avoid illegal drugs, reject unsafe alcoholic products, and continue working with security institutions to protect your communities.”
A Shared National Effort
Across Rwanda’s provinces, the campaign has brought together soldiers, police officers, local leaders, and ordinary citizens working side by side.
From laying bricks for new classrooms to planting trees and providing medical care, the initiative reflects a broader philosophy that national development requires cooperation between institutions and the public.
For many residents, the presence of security officers working alongside communities represents more than symbolic support.
It demonstrates a shared commitment to improving everyday life whether through better schools, safer roads, stronger homes, or healthier families.
As Rwanda marks more than three decades since liberation, the three-month campaign serves as both a commemoration and a reminder that development and security remain closely linked in shaping the country’s future.
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