Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) urges football fanatics to refrain from violent and hooliganism behaviors.

The caution follows separate post-match incidents in which some fans have turned violent and assaulted their opponents, and causing public disorder.

Last Sunday, February 12, shortly after a football match between Rayon Sports and APR at Huye stadium, a group of violent youth pelted stones at a Kigali-bound bus carrying APR fans, injuring six of them. Subsequently, six people were arrested in connection with the act.

In last December, a similar incident occurred in Rubavu District where two APR fans were assaulted and seriously injured. This was after a football match between Etincelles and APR.

Also in December last year, a journalist was assaulted after a match between Etincelles and Rayon Sport at Umuganda stadium.

On January 20, after a match between Kiyovu Sport and Gasogi United at Bugesera stadium, a section of fans turned rude and abused the match referee.

"Football or sports competitions should be contested in friendly and orderly manner... it is a fair play; any acts of violence and assault is criminal and punishable by law," Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, the RNP spokesperson, said.

He added that rights of all supporters should be respected.

"Any acts of violence or abuse means that legal actions will be taken."

In article 121 of the law Nº68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offences and penalties in general; any person who, wilfully, injures, beats or commits any serious violence against another person, commits an offence.

Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than three years and not more than five years and a fine of not less than Frw500, 000 and not more than Frw1 million.