Rwanda National Police has urged motorcycle taxi operators in Huye District to play a more active role in preventing crime, warning them against allowing their services to be used to transport illegal goods or facilitate criminal activities.
The call was made during a crime-prevention campaign in Huye, where police told moto-taxi operators that their daily contact with passengers puts them in a strategic position to identify suspicious activities and share information with security authorities.
CIP Hassan Kamanzi, spokesperson for Rwanda National Police in the Southern Province, urged the operators to remain vigilant while carrying out their daily work.
“We reminded them of what is required of them so that they can prevent crimes in their daily work. They must operate motorcycles with complete documents and avoid all crimes that may be committed on the road,” Kamanzi said.
He also urged them to maintain good conduct, personal hygiene and professional discipline, while avoiding drugs, substandard alcoholic drinks and other activities prohibited by law.
Police community liaison coordinator in Huye, SP Mujawamariya Leonille, warned that criminals could attempt to use moto-taxi operators to transport prohibited goods or facilitate illegal activities.
She urged operators to exercise caution and pay attention to the passengers they transport and the items they are carrying.
“Their work brings them into contact with many people and takes them to different places. This gives them an opportunity to identify and report activities that could threaten security,” police said.
Huye moto-taxi representative Remera François said continued awareness campaigns were necessary, particularly because many people working in the sector are young.
“Many of them are young people, and some can be used in criminal activities or to transport prohibited items. Campaigns like this remind operators to stay away from such activities and to work with the Police and other institutions to prevent crimes committed in different places,” he said.
Some operators said the guidance also helps them improve their professional standards.
Moto-taxi operator Ngendabanga Emmanuel said police training had helped operators identify weaknesses in their work, including personal hygiene.
“We appreciate the Police when they give us training like this because it helps us improve our work. Some of our colleagues ride without maintaining proper hygiene, and these lessons help us improve,” he said.
Uwimana Cécile, another moto-taxi operator, said the campaign helped them understand how to respond when they become suspicious about passengers or items being transported.
The campaign also addressed administrative responsibilities. Rutoneshya Danny, an official from the Rwanda Revenue Authority in Huye, urged motorcycle owners to complete ownership transfers, known as mutation, on time whenever a motorcycle is sold or purchased.
Police said cooperation with communities remains an important part of crime prevention, particularly among groups such as moto-taxi operators who interact with large numbers of people every day.
The campaign therefore sought to reinforce the operators’ role beyond transporting passengers, encouraging them to become active partners in identifying suspicious activities, reporting potential crimes and supporting efforts to maintain public safety.
Rwanda National Police has previously highlighted the role of moto-taxi operators in community policing, urging them to report colleagues or passengers suspected of involvement in crime and warning against transporting illicit goods.
