At least 6,050 government officials have declared their wealth using an online system, according to the Ombudsman.

In an interview with The New Times yesterday, Tito Rutaremara, the Ombudsman said that on the eve of 30 June – the deadline - 6,050 public servants had declared their wealth.

He stated that his office would analyse if all civil servants declared their wealth on time.

Government employees are required by the 2006 Wealth Declaration Law to submit their annual declaration of income, assets and liabilities for verification by June 30.

The idea behind the declarations is that officials who accumulate wealth beyond their means should be investigated.

The asset declaration includes immovable assets such as houses and land; movable assets, such as livestock, cash and vehicle nonphysical assets, such as shares, debts owed and debts to others; as well as assets of one’s spouse if married and assets of any children below eighteen years.

"Those who failed to declare their wealth on time will explain to us in writing,” Rutaremara noted.

He stressed that civil servants who fail to declare their wealth before June 30 for the second and third time and do not explain to the Ombudsman office on their failure to do so, are liable to prosecution.

The Ombudsman noted that for the first time, government officials were declaring their wealth online, which made the process easier and more efficient.

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