UNAFRI Strengthens Engagement with Rwanda Ahead of November Relaunch

From left, H.E. Col. Joseph Rutabana, High Commissioner of Rwanda to Uganda; Dr Gift Kweka, UNAFRI Director of Training and Programs; and Mr Munanura Andrew Karokora, UNAFRI Acting Director General, following the courtesy engagement at the Rwanda High Commission in Kampala.

On 09 November 2026, the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders held a courtesy engagement with the Rwanda High Commission in Kampala.

Mr Munanura Andrew Karokora, Acting Director General of UNAFRI, presents H.E. Col. Joseph Rutabana, High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda to Uganda, with an institutional package containing UNAFRI’s UN Crime Congress magazine and a report on UNAFRI's recent training on human trafficking with Uganda Police Force.

The UNAFRI delegation comprised Mr Munanura Andrew Karokora, Acting Director General, and Dr Gift Joseph Kweka, Director of Training and Programs. They were received by H.E. Col. Joseph Rutabana, High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda to Uganda.

The visit strengthened engagement with Rwanda as a Member State and supported preparations for UNAFRI’s relaunch on 25th November 2026. The Acting Director General briefed the High Commissioner on the Institute’s history, mandate and role within the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme Network.

Discussions highlighted the importance of reliable criminal justice data, digitalisation of judicial systems and stronger African cooperation in addressing technology enabled and cross border crime. The meeting also considered the need for visible institutional activities, measurable impact and sustained advocacy to strengthen Member State engagement.

H.E. Col. Joseph Rutabana presents Mr Munanura Andrew Karokora with a commemorative gift from Rwanda, including a packet of Rwandan coffee, following the courtesy engagement.

Youth crime prevention featured prominently in the exchange. UNAFRI presented the African Youth Crime Prevention Platform and its regular X Space discussions, while the High Commissioner shared Rwanda’s experience with the Sober Gen initiative and its focus on protecting young people from harmful alcohol and substance abuse.

H.E. the High Commissioner welcomed the engagement and confirmed his availability for UNAFRI’s relaunch. The visit concluded with an exchange of UNAFRI publications and commemorative gifts from Rwanda.