Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has arrested five employees of Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) over alleged illegal procurement.

Thierry Murangira, the Spokesperson of RIB, confirmed that on November 26, James Kamanzi, former Deputy General Manager at RBC, along with Fidele Rwema, who was an RBC employee in Karongi region, Fidele Ndayisenga, Jean-Pierre Ndayambaje, Leoncie Kayiranga, all of whom are RBC employees and members of the RBC procurement committee were all in custody.

The suspects are locked up at the Kicukiro, Kimironko and Rwezamenyo RIB Stations while investigation continues.

Illegal procurement is a crime punishable by Article 188 of illegal public procurement.

A person convicted of committing this crime is bound to imprisonment of not less than five years but not more than seven years, and a fine of Rwf5 million and not less than Rwf2 million.

If it is committed by an employee under the orders of his manager, that manager shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than 7 years but not more than 10 years, and a fine of Rwf5 million and not more than Rwf10 million.