Rwanda registers least armed crimes in EAC: survey

Rwanda registered least armed crimes between 2010 and March 2016 in the East African Community, according to a survey conducted by the Regional Center on Small Arms (RECSA).

The report on the status of armed crimes in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda indicates that Rwanda registered 421 cases, Tanzania 9, 646, Kenya 12,877 while Burundi and Uganda recorded 26, 041 and 34, 512 cases respectively.

The report was released in Kigali on Monday at a validation workshop.

Dubbed 'Analysis of Armed Crime Rates,' it was conducted with the support of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Speaking at the workshop, RECSA executive secretary, Theoneste Mutsindashyaka commended Rwanda for its efforts in prevention of proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons.

"The trafficking and wide availability of these weapons fuel instability, conflict and pose a threat not only to security, but also to sustainable development," he said.

Mutsindashyaka cited armed robbery, cattle rustling, carjacking and terrorism among the armed crimes registered.

He urged collaboration among countries to prevent trafficking of illicit arms.

The study sought to quantify and analyze armed crime data in EAC countries, determine their impact and propose policy options to address their proliferation, according to officials.

Dr. Somorin Alufunso, Senior Policy Analyst at AfDB stressed the importance of security in development while Rwanda's Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K Gasana, outlined several measures put in place to prevent and control the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, including laws and community awareness. Endit