Residents have welcomed Rwanda National Police’s decision to intensify efforts against public indecency and disorderly conduct among some young people, describing the intervention as necessary but long overdue.
The campaign targets conduct including public nudity, drunken disorder, offensive language and other behaviour considered inappropriate in public spaces.
Police spokesperson ACP Boniface Rutikanga said such conduct could not be excused as a modern youth trend, particularly when displayed in front of children.
“We will not continue to tolerate indecent conduct, disorderliness or people exposing themselves and doing whatever they want in public while children and young people are watching,” Rutikanga said. “People’s rights have limits. We have taken a firm stand against this behaviour.”
Some residents said inappropriate conduct had become increasingly visible on the streets and at entertainment venues.
“I welcome the decision, although I believe it came late,” Kabatesi Marie Chantal said. “In nightclubs and on the streets, the situation had become so extreme that sometimes you simply had to look away.”
Another resident, Jean Pierre, said public drunkenness, disorderly behaviour and abusive language had also become excessive, welcoming the authorities’ decision to intervene.
Residents, however, stressed that enforcement alone would not solve the problem. They urged parents to spend more time counselling and supervising their children while setting a positive example at home.
“Parents need to draw closer to their children, talk to them and guide them,” Nzirumbanje Albert said. “Children do not direct their parents. They also need discipline.”
Kabatesi similarly said some young people adopt inappropriate behaviour from adults within their families.
“Parents should stop setting a bad example because much of what young people do is learned from them. They should instead give their children a positive example,” she said.
Article 143 of Law No. 68/2018 of 30 August 2018 determining offences and penalties in general classifies performing an indecent act in public as an offence. Upon conviction, an offender faces imprisonment of between six months and two years.
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