Rwandan police and Money in the bag
In 2016, I went to pick up a friend who wasn't from Rwanda. I had told him about the business opportunities in Rwanda, and we agreed to do business together. After many online and phone calls, we finalized the business plan, and he agreed to come and meet me in Rwanda. Our business was supposed to take place in Kirehe.
I went to pick him up at the Kigali International Airport, I was carrying a bag with my laptop, passport, $35,000 in cash, and other small items. However, his plane was delayed, so I had to wait for him at a cafe in the airport.
Eventually, he arrived, and we immediately headed to Kirehe without any rest. After almost three hours, when we arrived at our destination, I realized that my bag was missing. The only place it could be was at the airport, as that was the last place I used my laptop.
I called a friend who lived near the airport to check the coffee shop. He went straight to the airport. The guy who had just arrived in Rwanda started doubting if I would ever get my bag, saying there was maybe a 20% chance if all the good things I said about Rwanda were actually true.
I confidently told him that if the police found it, there was a higher chance that I would get it. But this was in the coffee shop, so I was doubting.
After about 25 minutes, I received a call from my friend, who asked me what was in the bag. I asked if he had found it. He replied, "What was in it?" I told him everything, and he said, "I think it's your bag." He then handed the phone to a Rwandan police officer, who asked me to describe the contents of the bag.
After confirming the details, he asked for the password to my laptop as the final proof, which I provided. He then said, "Yeah, it's his," and advised me to be more careful with my bag in the future. He asked if he could give the bag to my friend, but I insisted on personally coming and thanking him. However, the officer declined, stating that he was just doing his job.
They took the records of the person to whom they had given my bag, and that was the end of it.
My friend drove to Kayonza and handed me the bag from there, as it would have been too much for me to drive back and forth. The new friend couldn't believe his eyes when he saw my bag and its contents. Two weeks later, this business partner returned to his home, and I went to track down the police officer.
When I asked for him, they asked if there were any issues. I said no, I just wanted to reward the officer, but they replied, "He was just doing his job." So no rewards!
It's truly remarkable to think that the Rwanda National Police, which was founded just 23 years ago in 2000, has already achieved a high ranking. According to the World Internal Security and Police Index (WISPI), they are recognized as Africa's second-best police force and hold a global position of 50th.
The man in charge of Rwanda police
Inspector General of Police
CG Felix Namuhoranye