Rwanda National Police

Police in Rutsiro District seized 30 cartons (6, 000 pieces) of banned non-biodegradable plastic bags, on Thursday.

The polythene bags were impounded at Police checkpoint mounted in Ruhango Sector from the suspected trafficker identified as Denis Niyonsaba, 22.

According to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for Western region, the vehicle was stopped at the Police checkpoint along Rubavu-Karongi highway, for normal security checks.

“Police officers were conducting their regular duties when they stopped the public vehicle; Niyonsaba was on board. When they checked in the luggage of passengers they found 30 cartons of plastic bags concealed in the luggage that belonged to Niyonsaba. He was trafficking the polythene bags to Karongi,” CIP Karekezi explained.

He warned against dealing in outlawed products which is punishable by law.

“We caution anyone, who in anyway, attempts to deal in polythene bags...it is illegal and punishable by law.” Manufacturing, selling and using polythene bags were outlawed in Rwanda in 2008.

He advised the public to use alternative packaging bags which are eco-friendly.

The manufacturing, use, importation or sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is 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.

Under article 10, any person, who imports plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items, is liable to dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items, and to an administrative fine equivalent to ten times of the value of those plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items.

In article 12, a retailer of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Rwf300, 000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.