Residents of Rwemiriro Cell in Nkongoro Ward, Nyabihoko Sub County, Ntungamo District, have raised concern over increasing cases of domestic violence in their community, saying the conflicts have contributed to the breakdown of many families.
According to residents, domestic violence has become a common challenge, with many disagreements arising from failure by family members to meet their responsibilities, including paying school fees, providing basic family needs, and caring for household members.
They also identified disputes over money from coffee sales as another major cause of conflicts, especially when one family member sells coffee without informing others or when proceeds are not shared equally, leading to misunderstandings and fights.
Residents said many of the reported cases involve couples fighting after disagreements over family responsibilities, with some serious incidents being referred to Nyabihoko Police Station for further management.
Rwemiriro Cell LC1 Chairperson Fred Barisiima said domestic violence cases have become frequent in the area, mainly resulting from misunderstandings among family members. He explained that local leaders have been conducting community meetings to encourage peaceful conflict resolution and prevent family disputes from escalating.
Barisiima called for more support from relevant stakeholders to provide family counselling and sensitization programs aimed at helping residents understand how to handle domestic challenges and reduce cases of violence.
The Officer in Charge of Nyabihoko Police Station, Komakechi David, said the station often receives domestic violence cases, especially during the coffee harvesting season when disputes over coffee income increase.
He explained that some cases arise when family members sell coffee without the consent of their partners or when disagreements emerge over the sharing of money earned from coffee sales. However, he noted that only serious cases are usually forwarded to police, while minor disputes are handled at community level by local leaders.
Komakechi added that police regularly engage communities through sensitization meetings, offering guidance and counselling to families on peaceful conflict resolution and responsible family management.
He urged residents to seek early intervention whenever disagreements arise to prevent domestic disputes from developing into violence.