RWAMAGANA - Barely a month after stepping down, the former Rwamagana District Mayor, Valens Ntezirembo, has been arrested and detained at Rwamagana police station in connection with a series of tenders which were allegedly awarded irregularly.

Police sources said he was arrested to pave way for comprehensive investigations and possible prosecution. 

Also arrested were the district agriculture officer, Valens Uwayezu ,Jean Baptiste Rwandema, Director of Finance and Administration, Richard Niwemugeri, coordinator of economic development and Eric Gakire, procurement officer. 

Eastern Provincial Governor, Dr. Ephraim Kabaija, said that the Mayor and his associates had created a clandestine group, which flouted the procurement procedures. 

"The right bidder and the winner of the tenders was always the wife of the agriculture officer.  The Mayor was aware of this anomaly but signed and gave the market to the agriculture officer’s wife,” the Governor said. 

He explained that the Mayor had been warned several times against awarding tenders to such people.

The tenders that were awarded irregularly include supplies to people attending civic education (Ingando), supply of agricultural products and food to schools.

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