KIGALI - OVER Rwf 100 million has disappeared from the coffers of the umbrella body of genocide survivors associations, Ibuka, after being released to non-existent (Ghost) organisations.

A source, familiar with the investigation into the alleged mismanagement of funds, revealed that the money was released to twenty six ‘ghost’ organisations.

According to our source, an insider from Ibuka connived with members of the organisations and money was released, reportedly for livestock farming.

Ibuka, which was created in 1995 in order to address issues of justice, memory, social and economic problems faced by survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, has been marred with irregularities of late.

"The intention of creating these non-existent organisations was to cheat. The charges against people involved are criminal,” the source told The New Times last week.
Ibuka had said some of the associations were located in Rwamagana, Ngoma, Gatsibo Kayonza, Bugesera in the Eastern Province but the probe team set up by the prosecution could not trace their physical addresses.

Because of the mismanagement rows in the past, the Genocide survivors’ body suspended and prosecuted some of its senior managers.

When contacted yesterday, prosecution spokesperson, Augustin Nkusi confirmed the development.

"Twenty six people from these non-existent organisations will be dragged to court soon to explain where they put the money,” Nkusi said by phone.

He revealed that one official from Ibuka whom he could not name, will also be taken to court because investigations revealed that he was party to the crime.

Some of the non-existent associations include Izerekubaho (Kayonza), Dufatanye (Ngoma), Tuzamurane (Kayonza), Duharanirekubaho (Rwamagana), Twitezimbere (Nyamata-Bugesera), Humura (Bugesera), Ibikorwa (Bugesera) and Urukundo in Kayonza.

In Kigali alone, more specifically in Kicukiro District, the probe team unearthed at least seven ghost associations and cooperatives that are said to have received funds.

According to prosecution, the Rwf 100 million was part of over Rwf 400 million unaccounted for by Ibuka officials.

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