The Nyarugenge Court of Lower Instance has started summoning leaders of Italia Solidale to explain how they spent about Rwf 3billion meant to benefit needy orphans, The New Times has learnt.

A source from Italia Solidale said on Friday that about four top officials had been summoned by the court’s prosecutor to explain the alleged scam.

"Yes, some visited the court on Monday while others went there last Friday,” the source added.

According to the sources, of the individuals who were summoned include the orphans guardians.

A senior prosecutor at Nyarugenge Court of Lower Instance, Gallican Rukaka, confirmed the development on Friday.

"We summoned them but I cannot tell you more details on the phone. We are still questioning them,” the prosecutor said.

Italia Solidale, a local Catholic church-affiliated NGO, has been accused by its intended beneficiaries of mismanaging funds meant to help orphans.

Top officials of the NGO reportedly diverted about Rwf 3bn sent from Italy to help about 2000 orphans left vulnerable by the 1994 genocide against Tutsis.

The leaders have in the past repeatedly denied pocketing the funds. Last year, an audit by the Supreme Court indicated that Rwf 3bn was received from Italy with very little activities on the ground to justify how the money was spent.

The Supreme Court carried out the audit after beneficiaries of Italia Solidale complained that the funds were being spent on children from well-do-to families.

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