The Rwanda Statistical Yearbook 2024 highlights significant developments and ongoing challenges in the area of law enforcement.
Analyzing crime trends, regional distributions, and family conflict cases, the report provides a comprehensive view of safety and justice within the country.
Crime trends
The report outlines a steady increase in reported crimes from 55,969 cases in 2019 to 79,418 in 2022, indicating both improved reporting mechanisms and rising crime rates.
Theft remains the most prevalent crime, rising sharply to 26,641 cases in 2022. Assault and battery also saw a consistent upward trend, with 23,367 cases in 2022.
On the other hand, narcotic-related crimes decreased slightly, showcasing the effectiveness of targeted interventions.
The regional distribution of crimes reveals Kigali City as the epicenter, with 19,520 cases reported in 2020, followed by the Eastern and Southern Provinces.
The Northern Province consistently recorded the fewest cases, underlining regional disparities in criminal activity.
Family conflicts
Family-related offenses, including assault, murder, and suicide, showed a concerning increase. From 880 cases in 2019, the total rose to 1,206 in 2020.
This underscores the need for strengthened social support systems and preventive measures to address underlying causes such as domestic disputes and mental health issues.
Drug-related offenses
While the overall number of drug-related cases dropped from a peak of 5,177 in 2019 to 4,401 in 2020, it remains a persistent concern.
The government’s stringent measures, including community policing and awareness campaigns, appear to be yielding results.
Judged cases
The number of cases judged in Rwandan courts has steadily increased over the years. From 72,417 cases judged in 2018-2019, the courts handled 109,691 cases in 2023-2024.
Rwanda’s law enforcement framework is bolstered by data-driven insights, allowing for targeted interventions.
However, the report emphasizes the need for holistic strategies encompassing crime prevention, public education, and the expansion of judicial resources.
Addressing the root causes of crime and leveraging technology will be crucial in building a safer, more equitable society.
