Accused of issuing bouncing cheques

GASABO - Senator Beatrice Mukabaranga has stepped down from her seat in the Upper Chamber of Parliament days after the prosecution requested the lifting of her immunity to pave way for investigations over allegedly issuing bouncing cheques.

Addressing a press conference at Parliament, Senate President Vincent Biruta told journalists that they had received Mukabaranga’s resignation letter, after they had lifted her immunity as requested by Prosecution to allow investigations in her case.

Biruta however could not provide more details concerning her case, preferring to say the matter was before judicial authorities.

"The accusations against her are now in the judiciary, it is better to let the law take its course,” he said without mentioning the content in Mukabaranga’s resignation letter.

Prosecution Spokesperson Augustin Nkusi yesterday confirmed the development, saying the Senator is accused of signing and issuing three bouncing cheques to yet unidentified individuals.

"For a person in her position to offer three bouncing cheques is something unbelievable,” said Nkusi adding that the act is punishable by the laws, since the accused cannot claim ignorance of her bank balances

Efforts to contact Mukabaranga proved futile as her phone lines were being picked by other people who allegedly didn’t even know her.

Mukabaranga holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Sciences, and she has been a lecturer in a number of African Universities before serving as the Academic Vice Rector at the Kigali Institute of Education.

At some point she also served as the Director General and the Secretary General in the Ministry of Education.

Before her resignation in the Senate, she was a member of the House’s Committee on Social Affairs and Human Rights.

Ends