In the quiet communities of Rwanda’s Eastern Province, where daily life is largely defined by farming and local commerce, a growing security concern has begun to surface beneath the region’s peaceful appearance.
Over recent weeks, reports have emerged about a group locally known as “Imparata”—a loosely organized network allegedly involved in illegal mining activities across several districts, including Gatsibo, Kayonza, and Rwamagana.
What initially appeared to be isolated incidents around abandoned and informal mining sites has evolved into a broader law-enforcement challenge, prompting intensified security operations and raising concerns among residents.
Security Operations Intensify
Authorities recently launched a crackdown on suspected Imparata members in several sectors of Kayonza District, including Rwinkwavu, Rukara, Murama, and Kabare.
A concerned resident, who requested anonymity due to security concerns, told Taarifa Investigations that police deployed advanced surveillance technology, including drones, to identify and track illegal mining activities.
“Last week, police used drones to locate them at mining sites where they were hiding. Many were arrested and taken to transit centers,” the source said.
Residents say the group’s activities have become increasingly visible, with members reportedly traveling in groups on motorcycles, carrying sticks and other crude tools, and moving between mining locations, often under the cover of darkness.
Another source familiar with the situation told Taarifa Investigative Desk that individuals displaying similar behaviour have also been observed in Rwamagana District and are reportedly extending their activities toward Masaka Sector in Kicukiro District.
According to witnesses, some members were recently seen riding motorcycles while carrying sticks and clubs and making loud noises as they moved through communities, fueling anxiety among local residents.
Police Confirm Crackdown, Reject Riot Claims
Authorities have confirmed ongoing operations against illegal mining networks but dismissed reports suggesting the group has engaged in organized riots.
Speaking to Taarifa, Eastern Province Police Spokesperson Chief Superintendent of Police Hamuduni Twizeyimana confirmed that several arrests have been made in connection with illegal mining activities.
“It is true that operations targeting illegal miners known locally as Imparata have taken place. We arrested several suspects, although not all of them have been apprehended. Some continue to evade law enforcement,” Twizeyimana said.
However, he said police had not verified reports alleging that members of the group had engaged in rioting.
“I am not aware of any confirmed incidents of rioting involving these individuals,” he added.
According to the spokesperson, authorities have been conducting operations against illegal mining networks for an extended period, particularly targeting repeat offenders who continue returning to mining sites despite previous arrests and warnings.
“We have been arresting them and advising them against engaging in illegal mining, but many continue returning, often operating at night,” he said.
‘Wazalendo’ Comparisons Rejected
Twizeyimana also dismissed claims circulating in some communities linking the group to so-called “Wazalendo” movements.
Laughing off the comparison, he emphasized that the term is commonly associated with armed groups operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has no connection to the situation in Rwanda.
“The name Wazalendo belongs elsewhere. What we are dealing with here are illegal miners known locally as Imparata,” he said.
The group cuts across different demographics- Police says
“They include young men, young women, adults, and in some cases entire groups who engage in illegal mining activities, mostly at night,” Twizeyimana explained.
Persistent Problem Beneath the Surface
Authorities believe many individuals are drawn into illegal mining by the prospect of quick financial gains from extracting minerals at unregulated sites.
Investigations suggest that abandoned or unlicensed mining locations have become attractive targets because ownership and regulatory oversight are often unclear, creating opportunities for unauthorized extraction.
Security officials warn, however, that the impact extends beyond the loss of mineral resources.
Residents and local defense personnel report that excavation activities have caused significant damage to agricultural land and natural ecosystems.
“Some individuals dig in banana plantations, farms, and even forested areas while searching for minerals,” one local security official said. “The destruction can be significant, especially for families that depend entirely on agriculture.”
Authorities say incidents have been reported in parts of Kayonza District, including areas near Kiziguro and Rugarama, where residents have complained about damaged crops, degraded land, and environmental destruction.
Why They Keep Returning
One of the greatest challenges facing authorities is the persistence of those involved in illegal mining.
Despite repeated arrests, warnings, and rehabilitation efforts, many continue returning to mining sites.
According to police, suspects frequently cite unemployment and economic hardship as major factors driving their involvement.
“Many tell us they have no jobs and no other reliable source of income,” Twizeyimana said. “They believe the minerals belong to no one, which they use to justify their actions.”
Authorities reject that reasoning, stressing that mining without authorization remains illegal regardless of ownership disputes.
Security officials often compare such activities to theft, particularly when illegal excavation damages privately owned farms and plantations.
Communities Urged to Remain Vigilant
As enforcement operations continue, authorities are calling on residents to play a more active role in preventing illegal activities within their communities.
Police and local leaders are urging families to discourage young people from joining criminal networks and instead guide them toward lawful and productive opportunities.
Residents are also being encouraged to promptly report suspicious activities and monitor vulnerable areas, including farms, forests, and plantations.
“Security is everyone’s responsibility,” one local official said. “Timely information from citizens helps prevent crime before it escalates.”
Seeking Sustainable Solutions
While arrests remain an important part of the response, authorities and community leaders acknowledge that long-term solutions will require addressing the socio-economic factors that drive young people into illegal mining.
Officials are encouraging affected youth to take advantage of government-supported vocational training programs, skills-development initiatives, and employment opportunities designed to provide sustainable livelihoods.
Community leaders believe that expanding access to education, vocational skills, and formal employment could significantly reduce participation in illegal mining activities.
“The future of our youth should be built through education, vocational skills, and lawful employment—not through activities that place them on the wrong side of the law,” said a community leader who requested anonymity.
Road Ahead
As police continue operations across Eastern Province, many questions remain unanswered about the true scale, structure, and leadership of the Imparata network.
For residents of Gatsibo, Kayonza, Rwamagana, and neighboring districts, the issue has become more than a law-enforcement challenge.
It is also a test of how communities, authorities, and young people can work together to address unemployment, protect natural resources, and maintain public security.
For now, security agencies remain determined to dismantle illegal mining operations. Communities, meanwhile, hope that lasting solutions will emerge before the problem grows deeper beneath the surface.
This version adopts a more professional investigative-news style, improves grammar and structure, removes repetition, and strengthens transitions between sections while maintaining neutrality and journalistic balance.
By Taarifa Team
