More than 500 foreign nationals are currently detained across Rwanda on various criminal charges, with document forgery emerging as the most common offence, according to the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS).
The revelation was made during the launch of Justice Week, an annual nationwide outreach campaign held from 8 to 19 December, during which officials address challenges within the justice sector and engage communities on legal processes.
Speaking at the launch, Commissioner General of RCS Evariste Murenzi said the number of foreigners caught in criminal offences, many of them being students, has been steadily rising.
“We currently have more than 500 foreigners detained. They originate from different countries and continents. The most prevalent offence is document forgery, followed by assault and battery,” Murenzi said, emphasising that all residents, regardless of nationality, are equally accountable before Rwandan law.
Murenzi stressed that international nationals are detained under the same conditions as Rwandan citizens and remain fully subject to domestic laws governing arrest, detention, and prosecution.
In total, 23,000 individuals, both locals and foreigners, have been held in correctional facilities since the beginning of 2025.
The Commissioner General attributed part of the caseload to increased cross-border movement and growth in the foreign student population, noting that offences involving falsified academic documents, immigration papers, and identification remain a persistent challenge.
To ease pressure on correctional facilities, Murenzi highlighted the expansion of mediation within the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) framework, which enables certain cases, particularly those involving minor offences or disputes, to be resolved outside formal court processes.
He noted that ADR mechanisms are available to everyone, including foreigners.
“They too benefit from mediation processes, whether the offence involves two foreign nationals or is committed against a Rwandan,” he said.
Officials report that mediation reduces unnecessary imprisonment, shortens case backlogs, and promotes the faster settlement of disputes while upholding accountability.
Chief Justice Domitilla Mukantaganzwa echoed the call to strengthen mediation, as the country continues to promote community-level solutions that prevent disputes from escalating into costly and protracted court battles.
She said expanding public awareness of ADR mechanisms could help reduce the burden on courts and correctional centres, allowing judicial institutions to focus on more complex or severe cases.
The disclosures come at a time when Rwanda is experiencing increased foreign presence through tourism, regional integration, academic exchanges, and business investment.
Justice sector officials report that while the majority of foreigners comply with local laws, a small portion continues to engage in fraudulent practices, often linked to attempts to secure employment, residency permits, or academic placements.
As Justice Week continues, authorities are expected to hold public dialogues across districts, focusing on rights and obligations, and on the importance of lawful documentation for anyone living or studying in the country.
