The Rwanda Correctional Service has strengthened its workforce with the graduation of 146 new junior officers following more than a year of specialized training.
The graduation ceremony took place on Friday, May 22, 2026, at the RCS Training School in Nsinda.
The event was attended by several senior government and security officials, including Vincent Biruta, Eastern Province Executive Secretary Dr. Nyirahabimana Jeanne, Major General Ruki Karusisi, commander of the Fifth Division based in the Eastern Province, and representatives from Rwanda’s security institutions, including the National Police.
The graduates, who make up the second cohort of junior officers trained by the institution, were awarded the rank of Assistant Inspector. The group consists of 146 recruits, including 21 women and 125 men.
Speaking at the ceremony, Interior Minister Vincent Biruta said the new officers will play a crucial role in managing correctional facilities and rehabilitating offenders while ensuring that inmates’ rights are respected.
He emphasized that the ultimate goal of the correctional system is to help offenders reform, reintegrate into society as responsible citizens, and contribute positively to their families and the nation.
Biruta noted that RCS requires a sufficient number of well-trained personnel capable of effectively carrying out correctional and rehabilitation duties. He added that the government will continue investing in the training school to enhance its capacity and increase the number of officers it produces.
“We expect you to become exemplary officers and future leaders within the institution you have chosen to serve. We also expect you to contribute to national security through the effective management of correctional facilities, applying the rehabilitation principles you have learned, respecting inmates’ rights, and avoiding misconduct such as corruption. Always uphold the interests of your institution and your country,” he said.
The spokesperson for the Rwanda Correctional Service, CSP Hillary Sengabo, said the graduates received comprehensive training focused on modern correctional practices aimed at helping inmates successfully reintegrate into society.
“What we ask of them is to maintain professional conduct, respect RCS laws and regulations, implement ongoing reforms, and ensure humane treatment of individuals held in correctional facilities,” he said.
Sengabo also encouraged more women to consider careers within the correctional service, noting that there are critical roles that require female officers.
He explained that international standards prohibit male officers from providing certain services to female inmates, making the recruitment of women particularly important.
“We encourage more women to join this profession because their role is essential. In line with international standards, female inmates must be attended to by female officers. This is why we have a strong need for more women within the correctional service,” he said.
This marks the second graduating class of junior officers from the Nsinda-based RCS Training School, following the institution’s first cohort, which completed training in 2024.
