The Rwandan Minister of Local Government, Dominique Habimana, has called on newly graduated officers of the District Administrative Security Support Organ (DASSO) to maintain high levels of discipline, professionalism, and integrity as they take on their duties in different parts of the country.
He gave the charge on Friday, August 14, at the Rwanda National Police Training School in Gishari, Rwamagana District, during the passing-out ceremony of the 8th intake of DASSO officers. The event marked the end of a 14-week intensive training programme that produced 391 new members.
The graduates will be deployed to six districts: Gasabo, Kicukiro, Nyarugenge, Nyagatare, Rusizi, and Rwamagana. Their training focused on security support to local authorities, self-defence, and other essential operational skills aimed at improving community safety.
Minister Habimana urged the officers to carry out their responsibilities with a strong sense of patriotism and dedication. “In your new roles, I urge you to uphold discipline, professionalism, dedication, integrity, teamwork, and honesty,” he said. “Always carry out your duties with pride in Rwanda and its people. Work closely with local authorities and citizens to achieve development goals, and always place the citizen at the centre of your daily work.”
He reminded the new DASSO officers that the people of Rwanda have high expectations of them and that their work directly affects the safety and peace of communities. The Minister also assured them that the government will continue to provide training opportunities to help them improve their skills and adapt to evolving security challenges.
Highlighting DASSO’s role in maintaining peace, Habimana noted that Rwanda currently enjoys a stable security situation in all villages, but officers must remain vigilant. He said the force must continue to work with the public and other security agencies, especially the police, to protect lives and property.
However, the Minister pointed out that there are still issues that demand urgent attention from DASSO personnel. These include crimes such as theft, assault, and drug abuse, as well as social issues like excessive alcohol consumption, high school dropout rates, poor service delivery, domestic violence, and delays in addressing citizens’ complaints.
According to him, poor service delivery, in particular, is a source of frustration for citizens and sometimes forces them to escalate their complaints to higher authorities. He stressed that such delays should be avoided by ensuring prompt responses at the local level.
Habimana charged the officers to address these problems with a combination of firmness and empathy, working hand in hand with residents to create safer, more peaceful, and more productive communities.
The passing-out ceremony also featured recognition for outstanding trainees. The Minister personally presented a certificate of completion to the best performer in the training, commending their commitment and hard work. This gesture, he said, was meant to encourage others to aim for excellence in their service.
The DASSO programme was established to provide direct support to local authorities in security matters, helping to bridge the gap between communities and law enforcement. Officers often work alongside other security agencies to prevent crime, respond to emergencies, and enforce local regulations.
As the 391 new members prepare to join their colleagues in the field, the emphasis from government remains clear: discipline, service to citizens, and teamwork must guide their daily operations. In the words of Minister Habimana, “Today, we are proud that Rwanda is secure across all villages. DASSO will continue to contribute to ensuring that this peace is truly experienced by all citizens.”
With the growing demands of community policing and social order, these fresh graduates will play a vital role in addressing the challenges that still exist, while building on the successes already achieved in maintaining peace in Rwanda.
