On Saturday 27 October 2018, the Ministry of Justice as the lead institution of Justice Sector Organised a joint community work with citizens across the country. The aim of the joint community work was to raise awareness about detrimental effects of cybercrimes, drug use and trafficking, human trafficking as well as to raise awareness on the services offered by Justice Sector institutions. At National level, the joint justice sector community work took place in Gicumbi District, Rutare Sector, Nkoto Cell where staff of Ministry of Justice, the Judiciary, the National Public Prosecution, Rwanda Law Reform Commission, Professional Bailiff Association, Diplomatic corps like Netherlands Ambassador to Rwanda, the Country Representative of USAID, Security organs, joined Gicumbi citizens to plant trees. The guest of honour was the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Busingye Johnston.

While planting trees, Minister Busingye focused on youth, whereby he planted trees with them, and gave them a message to protect planted trees and be the first to teach elders to protect them .“You children and young people, be aware that trees help us to fight soil erosion, increase rainfalls and soften the air we breathe. Once you do not protect them and cut them off carelessly, we do not get such benefits. You must leave them to grow protect them and they will protect you back. Be friends with trees”. Minister Busingye told them.

After the community work, Minister of Justice and Attorney General gave a message to citizens regarding fighting drugs use and trafficking, increase vigilance towards cybercrimes and human trafficking. He urged citizens to denounce trafficking and use of drugs. “I would like to remind citizens that laws have changed; we are no longer in the same era. Before, anyone caught selling; trafficking, keeping or distributing drugs would undergo a punishment of one to six years imprisonment. Currently, once you get caught in such crimes, punishment is imprisonment is for life”. Minister Busingye highlighted. “Whether you sell one kilogram or one ton, whoever gets caught will get life imprisonment. We are here to tell you that there are two ‘’for life’’ among which you must choose from: forgetting drugs for life or get imprisoned for life because laws have changed and I think forgetting drugs for life is much easier”. Minister of Justice and Attorney General emphasised.

Minister Busingye further told citizens about other emerging crime related to information technology especially through mobile telephone. “Most of the cybercrimes are currently done through Mobile telephones. For instance, you are called by somebody who informs you that you have won a million francs in a lottery, which you have not participated! Mobile phones access many information like personal ID numbers. Once they steal the phone from your child, they call you and inform you that the child is imprisoned somewhere and that you have to send some money to release him/her. All that are cybercrimes that you must be aware of”. Minister Busingye cautioned them.

On human trafficking Minister Busingye said; “sometimes people in rural areas think that human trafficking is not their business, however, studies have indicated that victims of such crime are those from rural area who are taken to cities for sometimes and then after they are taken to foreign countries on grounds that they will get a good job. It finally ends where the victim is submitted to forced Labour and other humiliating activities and finally their organs are sold to those who need them and they are tortured to death. We came to inform you that you should be vigilant against such crimes and join our efforts to fight them”. Minister Busingye emphasised.

After the community work, Minister urged citizens to know their access to justice right. “You must know that you have rights to justice, once you do not have justice you are not complete, however you should not joke with justice. You should not be a burden to justice”