When the last word is given after the investigation on Jeaninne Mukashengura, who is said to have declared her former husband dead so that their 15-year-old son benefits from Fund for Support for Genocide Survivors (FARG), one conclusion to emerge from this drama is that survivors’ funds were greatly abused.

Mukashengura who is currently in police custody in Kabuga, Gasabo District, reportedly duped those in charge of FARG in Bugesera District into believing that her son was an orphan.

Bugesera leaders had time to cross-check the information presented by Mukashengura but chose to sit back and registered Jean de Dieu Musabyimana, now a student at St. Aloysius Secondary School in Rwamagana.

Her ex-husband, Jean de Dieu Uwineza is reportedly a well-known businessman not only in Kigali but Bugesera too. But this drama points to one issue, Government leaders who pay lip service instead of helping to fight corruption and other related vices.

Before a child is put on the FARG list, thorough investigations ought to have been carried out to fully ascertain whether there is no foul play involved. 

We would not have heard cases of ‘ghost’ orphans or children from well-to-do families accessing the survivors’ funds if those in charge of the fund were executing their duties properly.

Because of these malpractices in most cases championed by some inconsiderate local leaders, conditions of genocide survivors have remained pathetic even after 15 years and the billions injected in the fund.

However, given the recent developments in the country, coupled with the government’s tough stand on corruption, all culprits should know that sooner than later, the long arm of the law  will get them. Their days are numbered.

Let everyone in the country strive to ensure that the vulnerable survivors, devastated by the brutal death of their loved ones, are lifted out of the poverty they are languishing under.

Ends