KIGALI - International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has joined the search for the former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Justin Nsengiyumva, joining hands with the Rwanda National Police in the bid  to track him down. This was announced yesterday by Police spokesman Willy Marcel Higiro.

"Interpol has also joined the struggle and we are confident that soon he will be arrested again,” Higiro said by telephone yesterday.

He dismissed fears that the search had become futile as alleged by some people who say that time is running out yet no substantial results have been registered.

He pointed out that since the fugitive’s name had been put on the most wanted list with his pictures circulated world-wide, time was necessary for the investigations to yield tangible results.

Nsengiyumva was arrested and detained for allegedly demanding a bribe from local businessman Moses Byaruhanga who had won a tender worth over Rwf 70 million to supply computers to the ministry.

The police were tipped off and caught him red-handed soliciting for the bribe, but he managed to give them the slip a few days later when he escaped from custody.

Tony Kuramba, the Chief of Interpol in Rwanda confirmed the development revealing that Nsengiyumva’s search was being carried out outside the country as well.

"Interpol operates internationally and we are now looking for him outside the country. We hope that with joint efforts we shall bring him to book and justice will prevail,” Kuramba told The Sunday Times.

Before his appointment as PS on March 12, 2008, Nsengiyumva had served in the same position in the Ministry of Commerce where he was the senior technical officer in charge of coordinating all administrative and technical activities.

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