POLICE in Gicumbi have confirmed arrest of Alexandre Mvuyekure, a former mayor of the district, and another employee at the district over alleged embezzlement of public funds and forgery.

Mvuyekure, who was the district mayor until early this year, and Focus Mutunzi, who works in the office in charge of good governance are accused of embezzling money during the time they were executive secretaries of Rubaya Sector in the same district.

Police said that both suspects are accused of embezzling over Rwf33 million when they headed Rubaya Sector at different times.

They were arrested on Thursday and are being held at Byumba Police Station, according to police.

Mvuyekure was the executive of Rubaya sector in 2010 before he was transferred to the district level and was replaced by Mutunzi.

Inspector of Police Innocent Gasasira, the northern region police spokesperson, said that during the period, Mvuyekure diverted money designated for Vision Umurenge Programme (VUP), a social protection scheme, through creating ghost groups which he said he was giving money to uplift citizens out of poverty.

He said even after he left the position, he continued working closely with Mutunzi to embezzle funds at the expense of the poor.

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