Rwanda National Police has inaugurated a special anti ‘Corruption and Public Fund Embezzlement Unit’ that will handle all cases related to the vice.

The Minister for Justice, Johnston Busingye, officiated the launch of the unit at the Police headquarters in Kacyiru yesterday.

The launch was part of a one-day workshop on anti-corruption that brought together police officers dealing with corruption across the country.

"Rwanda National Police has established a specialised unit to deal with this vice and this is a very welcome development. I commend the Police for the continued efforts geared at delivering on their mandate more efficiently, effectively and with the people,” said Minister Busingye.

"In this particular unit, you that you will receive many volunteer citizens...who will be happy to work with you because this fight is also their fight as it is about their livelihoods and their future.”

Busingye hinted on using a multisectoral approach in countering corruption, saying with the help of the prosecution and courts, a strong chain and institutional framework that instills in citizens a sense of shunning corruption can be built.

"Corrupt people should not find the space to accumelate ill-gotten wealth. The addition of this unit to the chain, therefore, is very welcome news and I call upon all stakeholders to support the unit as much as possible. The Ministry of Justice will be open and ready to render any support within its powers,” he said.

In curbing corruption and embezzlement, the minister said, there is need to build systems and deterrent measures that make corruption and embezzlement of public funds so expensive for whoever is involved.The new unit will be operating under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana said the Police worked with several partners, including the private sector in establishing the unit to ensure public funds are fully protected.

He pointed out that in the past six months, the Police registered 252 cases of corruption.

"We cannot succeed in fighting these crimes if the culprits are not brought to justice. To achieve this, there must be synergy among all stakeholders in public and private sectors. Apart from the Corruption and Public Embezzlement Unit, other strategies the Police have put in place to deal with corruption-related matters include the internal anti-corruption unit that follows up on corruption-related cases and service delivery within Police,” he said.

As a result, since 2010 to date, the Force have dismissed 400 officers over graft and other related offenses, he said.

Gasana added that joint efforts are necessary in fighting such crimes, adding this can only be achieved through constant sharing of information.

"We are opening a new chapter in responding to these crimes. We need joint trainings and cooperation in handling such crimes. We also need to put much focus on research and development. Corruption is a threat to development; it should not be allowed to derail us and we should not fail in fighting it,” he said.

Rwanda remains the least corrupt country in the region and fifth on the continent, according to Transparency International 2014 Corruption Perception 2014 Index-(CPI).

The event was also graced by the Auditor General, Obadiah Biraro; chairperson of National Human Rights commission, Madeleine Nirere, Commissioner General RRA Richard Tusabe; Prosecutor General Richard Mihumuza; Deputy Ombudsman Clement Musangabatware; CEO of RGB Prof. Anastase Shyaka; vice chairperson of PAC Theoneste Karenzi and representative Transparency Rwanda.

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