30 year old woman arrested for abortion
Police in Rulindo District has arrested a 30-year old woman suspected to have aborted a seven-month fetus.
Josianne Uwingeneye, a resident of Gasekabuye Cell, Cyinzuzi Sector in the Northern District of Rulindo is allegedly reported to have aborted after the would-be father denied responsibility of the pregnancy.
She is currently detained at Murambi Police Station.
According to Police, her arrest followed a tip-off from area residents, who notified local authorities.
“On January 14, at about 1:00pm, an area resident called the sector Executive Secretary, after they saw the suspect in normal conditions and without the pregnancy,” said the Police.
Uwingeneye, mother of two, was later arrested after the Executive Sectary notified police.
She admitted to have committed the crime, but said she had no means of taking care of the pregnancy since the person responsible had denied responsibility.
Article 162 of the new penal code states that: “Any person who carries out self-induced abortion shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of one year to three years and a fine of between Rwf50, 000 – 200, 000.
The Rulindo District Police Commandant Supt. Johnson Ntaganda, said that cases of abortion are very few in the district, but there are various measures initiated to “deal with the few cases” such as sensitization and dealing with things that cause unwanted pregnancies such as drug abuse.
According to Supt. Ntaganda, poverty should be a justifiable reason to terminate the pregnancy since it’s conceived when one knows their capability.
He called for increased ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ and share information about people involved in criminal acts.
