EASTERN PROVINCE

NGOMA — An official from the office of the ombudsman has dismissed claims that poverty causes corruption.

"There are some poor people who are not corrupt even when they are paid little wages. But most of the people who are found guilty of corruption are those paid highly and have big posts in the government,” said Nothelme Uwintore, the investigator, anticorruption unit in the office of the ombudsman.

He was addressing Ngoma district and sector leaders last week, at the district hall. Uwintore emphasised the need for leaders to play a greater role in fighting corruption tendencies that are still practiced in some government departments.

He noted that some leaders charge people to give them certain services even when they are supposed to be free.
"Leaders should be exemplary to their subjects. You should know that you have a greater role in fighting these acts that hinder development,” Uwintore said.

 Uwintore noted that corruption takes different form including; fraud, bribery, nepotism and tribalism. He also warned that corruption is common during tender awards and recruitment of workers.

He pointed out the need to fight corruption from the grassroot.

"Anyone with knowledge of corruption anywhere should report it to the nearest authorities so that it can be fought from all corners,” Uwintore said, adding that residents should lead the fight because they are the ones most affected.

They [residents], he said, pay their leaders to get certain services they are entitled to, and that’s why they should play a big role. "This has widened the gap between the rich and the poor as the rich become richer while the poor become poorer.”
He called upon all Rwandans to help in fighting corruption tendencies everywhere.

Officials from the office of the Ombudsman visited all districts across the country last week as part of the activities to mark the anti-corruption week under the theme "Fighting corruption is everyone’s responsibility.