Plastic bags or polythene bags were outlawed in Rwanda in 2008 because of their ill-effects on the environment.
Environmentalists say that single-use plastic bags take up to 300 years to photodegrade.
Plastic bags break down into tiny toxic particles that contaminate the soil and waterways, and enter the food chain.
They also contribute to pollution, blockage of channels, rivers and streams, and landscape disfigurement.
In Rwanda, manufacturing, use, importation or sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items are prohibited under article 3 of law N° 17/2019 of 10/08/2019 relating to the prohibition of manufacturing, importation, use, and sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items in Rwanda.
In article 10, any person, who imports plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to the dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items, and to an administrative fine equivalent to ten times the value of those plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items.
In article 11, a wholesaler of plastic carry bags and single use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Frw700, 000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.
In article 12, a retailer of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of three hundred thousand Rwandan francs (FRW 300,000) and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.
Rwanda National Police (RNP), therefore, continues to enforce these laws and policies to fight environmental degradation and to protect the ecosystem.
In the latest operation against these non-biodegradable products conducted on Monday, April 18, RNP arrested one Claude Ndayishimiye, 34, in Kayonza Cell, Mukarange Sector in Kayonza District with 200 cartons (40,000 pieces) of plastic bags, which were sneaked into Rwanda from Uganda.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamduni Twizeyimana, the Eastern region Police spokesperson, said that Police was tipped off by someone in Kayonza taxi-park, where Ndayishimiye was trying to board a public vehicle.
“Ndayishimiye was attempting to board a commuter in Kayonza taxi-park heading to Kabarondo when someone suspected his luggage to be containing the illicit bags and called the Police,” said SP Hamdun Twizeyimana.
“Indeed, when Police officers arrived and checked his luggage, they found it contained 40,000 pieces of polythene bags in 200 cartons. He was immediately arrested and the outlawed packaging products impounded to RIB station in Mukarange, where he is currently detained pending further investigations.”
Ndayishimiye admitted that he trafficked the plastic bags into the country from Uganda and had customers to supply in Kabarondo.
SP Twizeyimana commended the resident, who shared information leading to the arrest of the suspect and seizure of the plastic bags.
He equally warned people who amuggle, sell and use these outlawed products, and advised the public to use the alternative environmental friendly packaging products.(End).