This is the result of decades-long, consistent national efforts to combat the proliferation of small and light weapons.
Following the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, Rwanda faced the persistent threat of leftover weapons hidden by ex-FAR members, Interahamwe militias, and various infiltrators. While some of these arms are still being discovered today, they are promptly catalogued and systematically destroyed.
Between 2009 and 2014, Rwanda destroyed a total of 12,327 firearms and 500 tons of explosives, in line with its national policy on combating the spread of small arms and light weapons.
Rwanda is a signatory to several international and regional frameworks targeting arms control. Among them is the Nairobi Protocol of 2000, which focuses on the prevention, control, and reduction of small arms and light weapons in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa.
Another key agreement is the Kinshasa Convention, signed on August 1, 2011, which governs small arms and light weapons in Central Africa.
These international and regional commitments align with the African Union's Agenda 2063, which envisions a peaceful and secure continent. One of the flagship projects under this agenda is the 'Silencing the Guns' initiative, which was initially aimed at ending conflict by 2020 and has since been extended to 2030.
To strengthen control, traceability, and accountability, Rwanda has made significant investments in arms management systems. The country has acquired four electronic firearms marking machines, which allow for the unique identification of each weapon.
In an environmentally responsible shift, two firearm destruction machines have also been procured, replacing older open-area dismantling methods that posed safety and environmental risks.
To further secure firearm storage, Rwanda has invested in 335 bullet-resistant storage boxes and 88 gun racks designed for large firearms. Destruction of weapons now takes place within military facilities, a move that significantly reduces the risk of misuse or leakage during the disposal process.
Strict regulation of legal firearms
Firearm ownership is legal in Rwanda but tightly regulated. Possessing a firearm requires a valid permit, and owners must carry their license, ammunition, and all related documentation when in possession of a weapon. Article 18 of the 2018 Firearms Law strictly prohibits civilians from owning firearms intended for state security forces.
The government ensures that all firearms owned by the Rwanda National Police, licensed private security companies, and authorized civilians are properly marked and traceable. This traceability enhances national oversight and accountability in firearm management.
New policy for 2024â€"2029
Under the revised National Policy on the Prevention of Small Arms and Light Weapons Proliferation (2024â€"2029), Rwanda has instituted a requirement that all newly acquired firearms be marked at the time of procurement. This includes weapons owned by private security companies and individuals licensed to possess firearms.
In December 2024, Rwanda received a mobile armoury to enhance the safety of firearm storage in the field. During the handover ceremony, Commissioner of Police (Rtd) Vianney Nshimiyimana, Head of the Small Arms and Light Weapons Unit at the Ministry of Internal Security, reaffirmed the country's commitment to arms control.
He emphasised that while state-owned firearms and those legally possessed by civilians are secure, constant vigilance remains necessary. 'A single firearm in the wrong hands can jeopardise the safety of an entire city. That's why we take this very seriously,' he said.
According to the ministry, unauthorised firearm possession is extremely rare in Rwanda today. Most illegal weapons still traced in the country originate from the post-genocide period, a lingering challenge that authorities continue to address with diligence and resolve.
IGIHE
