The Rwanda National Police has launched a nationwide fire safety awareness and inspection campaign, moving decisively after a rise in fire incidents to equip Rwandans themselves with the knowledge and tools to prevent and respond to outbreaks. The campaign began in the Eastern Province in early November 2026 and is now extending across the Northern and Western provinces before concluding in the Southern Province.
According to Rwanda News Agency, the initiative marks a deliberate shift in strategy: instead of treating firefighting as a task for security forces alone, the Police are training ordinary Rwandans to become the first line of defense. It is a distinctly Rwandan approach, rooted in the same discipline and shared responsibility that rebuilt this nation.
Who the campaign is training
The program targets a broad range of stakeholders who form the backbone of daily economic life: hotel owners and employees, market operators, carpentry workshops, blacksmithing and metalworking workshops, managers of complex buildings, security forces, DASSO personnel, private security companies, and the professional community patrol groups known as Irondo ry'umwuga.
The scale of this mobilization is already visible on the ground. On November 5, 2026, Agaciropress reported that the Rwanda National Police trained 359 stakeholders in fire prevention and emergency response at the Gicumbi District conference hall, drawing participants from across the district's sectors.
Why the Police changed its approach
Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Gatambira, Commanding Officer of the Fire and Rescue Brigade, said the campaign responds directly to an increase in fire incidents in recent days and reflects a more inclusive model of prevention.
“Following the increase in fire outbreaks recently, we realized that we needed to change our approach to these awareness campaigns by engaging different stakeholders across the country and equipping them with basic knowledge about the causes of fires, how to prevent them and how to respond,” ACP Gatambira said.
The stakes are real. WebRwanda reported that Rwanda recorded 1,380 fire incidents over five years, and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Security, Benjamin Sesonga, acknowledged that the Police cannot address the challenge alone. The government's answer is not to import foreign solutions but to multiply the number of trained hands in every district.
Building force multipliers in every community
ACP Gatambira said the goal is to create what he called force multipliers: citizens who can recognize hazards, alert the Police promptly, and use available firefighting equipment to contain small fires before emergency responders arrive.
“We want to increase the number of people working together with the public in fighting fires. Fire prevention and response should not be the responsibility of the Police alone; everyone should play a role. By training members of the public, we are creating force multipliers who can strengthen our firefighting efforts,” he said.
The training is also designed to change attitudes. ACP Gatambira noted that too often people simply run when they see a fire. The campaign teaches them to act: to retrieve a fire extinguisher and tackle a small blaze before it grows, provided the situation does not put their lives at risk.
Practical instructions for welders and business owners
ACP Gatambira singled out welders for specific guidance, urging them to keep fire extinguishers always within reach during welding activities. He warned against leaving equipment inside buildings while working outside, explaining that delays in accessing an extinguisher can allow a fire to intensify beyond control.
He called on residents, business operators and institutions to acquire fire extinguishers for homes, markets and workplaces, and stressed the importance of installing water hydrants and checking them regularly so that firefighters do not have to travel long distances to refill their tanks.
“When firefighters run out of water, they sometimes have to travel long distances to refill their tanks. By the time they return, the fire may have intensified and spread further. Having functional water hydrants nearby would make it easier for us to access water quickly and respond more effectively,” he explained.
A growing capacity backed by partnership
The campaign builds on a steadily strengthening national firefighting capacity. In February 2026, the Rwanda National Police received a modern firefighting truck from Rusumo Power Company Limited, and The New Times reported that the new engine would serve not only as an operational tool but as a symbol of partnership between public institutions and private entities working for the common good.
That partnership extends to critical public services. In August 2026, Pure Africa News reported that the Rwanda National Police equipped Kabutare hospital staff with fire prevention skills, emphasizing that early action is critical in controlling fires and protecting lives.
ACP Gatambira reassured the public that the Police have the capacity to respond to and extinguish different types of fires, particularly when incidents are reported promptly.
Frequently asked questions
When did the fire safety campaign start?
The campaign started in early November 2026 in districts of the Eastern Province and has since extended to the Northern and Western provinces, with the Southern Province expected to conclude the nationwide rollout.
Who is being trained under the campaign?
Hotel owners and staff, market operators, carpentry and metalworking workshops, managers of complex buildings, security forces, DASSO personnel, private security companies and Irondo ry'umuga community patrol groups are all targeted for training.
How many fire incidents has Rwanda recorded?
Rwanda recorded 1,380 fire incidents over five years, according to figures reported by WebRwanda, citing the Ministry of Internal Security.