Youth constitute the majority of the population and can play a bigger role in fighting graft in the country, an official Ombudsman’s office has said.

Clément Musangabatware, the deputy Ombudsman in charge of preventing and fighting corruption, speaking during an athletics competition organised by the Ombudsman office at provincial level, said the youth are the pillars of the nation.

"The youth are the future leaders, so we need more effort to prepare them to fight corruption at all times in their communities,” Musangabatware said.

He said the strides made in fighting graft should inspire the youth to work together to maintain Rwanda’s aspiration to be the least corrupt nation on the continent.

The race, which attracted over 100 youth from across the Northern Province, was aimed at creating awareness among participants on their role in the fight against all forms of corruption in their respective communities.

The competitions were organised in all provinces and the City of Kigali.

The best 20 males and females from each province will compete at national level at the weekend.

The youth were reminded that corruption takes different forms and how it affects national development while undermining the rights of citizens.