Rwanda National Police marked its 25th anniversary Wednesday during a ceremony in Gishari, Rwamagana District. The event also featured the commissioning of 436 new officers and the President awarded the rank of Assistant Inspector of Police to the graduates.
The celebration marked 25 years since the force was established in its current form in 2000.
Senior government officials attended the event and families of the graduates were present.
Delegations from several countries included Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Eswatini, The Gambia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Qatar and Seychelles. Deputy police chiefs from Mozambique, Sudan, Uganda and Zimbabwe also attended.
The 436 graduates formed the 14th intake at the Gishari Police Training School. Training began on July 15, 2025.
The class included 327 men and 109 women.
Police said 124 trainees were university graduates trained at the Rwanda National Police College in Musanze.
Another 172 were serving junior police officers. Nine came from Seychelles.
There were also 86 civilians in the intake. Fifty trainees came from the National Intelligence and Security Service and the Rwanda Investigation Bureau.
Four officers trained in Egypt and Singapore also joined the cohort.
Police officials said the training focused on discipline, professional skills and operational readiness. It included drills, firearms training and tactical exercises.
Police spokesperson ACP Boniface Rutikanga said the force has evolved over 25 years. He said it has become more professional and community-oriented.
He said the force created in 2000 merged the Gendarmerie, Communal Police and Judicial Police into a single institution.
Gishari Training School Commandant CP Robert Niyonshuti said the training prepared graduates for junior officer duties. He said it strengthened professionalism and readiness.
Three trainees were recognized for outstanding performance. Boas Castro received a medal from President Kagame.
Isaie Kayiranga and Chantal Mureshya were also recognized. Nicolette Maria of Seychelles was named top international trainee.
Officials said the 25-year anniversary reflects the transformation of the police force since its creation.
They said it has grown into a unified institution guided by professionalism, patriotism, integrity and discipline.
Police said the force has expanded community policing over the years. It also played a major role during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The force contributes to United Nations peacekeeping missions and operates training institutions in Gishari, Mayange and Musanze.
Officials said the anniversary highlights continued efforts to strengthen cooperation with citizens in maintaining security.
