The Ministry of Justice revealed that they have already shared names of people who owe money to the Government on several databases that serve the public so that the debtors receive limited services until they settle their debt.
Some Rwf7.3 billion is owed to the Government by people who lost cases in courts, related to embezzlement and unpaid fines.
The Government started a campaign to recovered money owned in 2014 and has seen over Rwf2 billion repaid.
While meeting professional court bailiffs in Kigali, Justice Minister and Attorney General Johnston Busingye revealed that identities of the people who owe government have been shared at, among others, National Land Centre and Credit Reference Bureau.
"In just one month, those who owe government will not be able to use migration services, won’t qualify for bank loans or buy or sell land until they settle their debt” Busingye stressed.
He added that they’re also sharing the identities to Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) and traffic police such that their services can be blocked.
"A debtor will not get their pensions before they pay the government, the same with RRA services and getting a driving license from traffic police,” said Busingye, adding that they were also seeking ways to share the debtor’s identity with the private sector.
However, debtors who come forward to sign agreements of willingness to pay will not included on the black list.
"We welcome individuals who pledge to pay in instalments and we appreciate that each year since 2014 the number of people who pay increases,” he said.
Godfrey Musoni, a court bailiff, expressed concerns over payments they make to media houses announcing auctions, asking the ministry to cover the expenses.
Busingye said the government is working with media houses such that auction announcements can pass on the debt to be paid after an entity has been auctioned.
The list of over 500 government debtors is published on the Ministry of Justice’s website, according to Theophile Mbonera, who heads the legal services department at the ministry.
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