Speaking at a media briefing on December 8, 2025, organized by the Supreme Court and attended by institutions in the justice sector, CG Murenzi noted that at least 500 foreign nationals are among those detained nationwide. These foreign inmates are primarily implicated in offences related to assault and document forgery.

“We currently host over 500 foreign nationals from different countries and continents. Since January, we have received more than 23,000 new inmates,” CG Murenzi said. He added that the sanctions and corrective measures in place have helped reduce overcrowding by preventing minor offenders from entering detention facilities unnecessarily.

According to the RCS, the crimes most frequently committed by foreign nationals include forged documents and assault-related offences. CG Murenzi humorously noted: “Among foreign inmates, document forgery tops the list, followed by assault. I don’t know if they casually resort to fighting in their home countries.”

The Rwanda National Police emphasized that no one Rwandan or foreigner is exempt from prosecution. Offenders are immediately handed over to the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) for proper legal proceedings.

Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, President of the Supreme Court, reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to citizen-centered justice, highlighting the growing emphasis on alternative dispute resolution, which has helped ease the burden on courts and reduced prison congestion. “We have already resolved over 20,000 cases through mediation,” she said, noting that this approach fosters harmony and prevents unnecessary imprisonment.

Colonel (Rtd) Pacifique Kayigamba Kabanda, RIB Director General, added that from January to December 2025, 2,800 cases were successfully resolved through mediation. He emphasized that RIB prioritizes problem resolution over imprisonment, and that individuals should understand that detention is reserved for serious or unresolved cases.

The Justice Sector Network which includes the Supreme Court, RIB, the National Police, and RCS organized Justice Week to bring services closer to citizens, reduce case backlogs, and strengthen efforts against the most persistent crimes across the country.

This initiative is expected to significantly improve access to justice while enhancing efficiency across the justice sector.