NYAGATARE - Nyagatare primary court, on Thursday, handed former Nyagatare mayor, Robert Kashemeza, a four month prison sentence over his influence peddling in tendering procedures.

In March last year, Nyagatare Intermediate Court sentenced the former mayor to five years in prison after he was found guilty of mismanaging Rwf10m of public funds.
On Thursday, Kashemeza re-appeared before court along with his seven co-accused; Innocent Gakwaya, John Muvara, Emmanuel Mugabo, Jackson Ruhingura, Jack Gatare and Sam Rutagwenda who were all the then tender committee members.
 
All Kashemeza’s co-accused were sentenced to five months in prison.

Based on the 2007 Auditor General’s report, court heard that Kashemeza, using his powers as the mayor, influenced the offering of tenders worth Rwf552, 999,531, which is contrary to the law.

"The law states that a district mayor is not allowed, in any case, to peddle in any tender procedures in the district. But Kashemeza violated the law and used his powers to offer tenders worth millions of state funds,” said a prosecutor.

Early in his defence, the former mayor argued that he was ignorant of the law since he was not familiar with the procedure in local government. He wanted the charges reduced to ‘abuse of office.’

However, prosecution insisted that since the law was already in the official gazette, ignorance of the law was no defence, and asked the court to hand him eight more months in prison with a fine of Rwf500, 000.

The presiding judge, Sam Rupia, ruled that Kashemeza is found guilty of having violated the law and influenced tender procedures.

"From all evidence from prosecutors and court thoroughness into this case, Kashemeza is sentenced to four months imprisonment while his co-accused are sentenced to five months for violating laws governing tender procedures,” the judge ruled.

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