By Clementine Nyirangaruye
The Rwanda National Police has called on journalists covering environmental issues to help educate the public about the importance of protecting the environment, saying that informed citizens are more likely to adopt sustainable practices.

Speaking during a training session on fact-checking and geolocation technologies, Police Spokesperson ACP Boniface Rutikanga emphasized that limited public understanding of environmental conservation remains one of the key challenges in addressing environmental degradation.

The training, held on October 15, 2025, was part of the second phase of a capacity-building program organized by the Rwanda Environmental Journalists (REJ) in collaboration with the Fojo Media Institute.
ACP Rutikanga noted that some citizens unknowingly engage in activities that harm the environment. He said that when people refrain from such practices, it is often due to fear of punishment rather than a genuine understanding of their negative impacts.
“The most important task is to educate people so that they first understand things as you do,” he told participants. “Secondly, people must realize that when circumstances change, there are always alternatives. For example, someone selling motorcycles that use petrol can switch to those powered by electricity.”

He added that a shared understanding among citizens, journalists, and authorities about the value of environmental protection is essential.
“When citizens, journalists, and we as security officers all understand things the same way, it becomes clear why education is vital in changing mindsets, helping people recognize the consequences of human actions on the environment, and encouraging them to protect it because people trust and listen to the media,” he said.

The police spokesperson reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to collaborating with journalists to ensure the dissemination of accurate, credible, and up-to-date information that promotes public awareness and trust.
“If you need photos, for instance, showing what’s happening on the hills, I will provide them, and you should publish them professionally,” he said.
ACP Rutikanga also urged journalists to take advantage of popular social media platforms to amplify environmental education messages and reach a wider audience.