Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi yesterday urged prosecutors to be at the forefront in the fight against graft. According to the Premier, the vice could hinder the growth of the economy as well as dent their professionalism.
Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi yesterday urged prosecutors to be at the forefront in the fight against graft.
According to the Premier, the vice could hinder the growth of the economy as well as dent their professionalism.
He made the remarks when he presided over the swearing in ceremony of 20 new prosecutors at the Prime Minister’s offices. The function attracted various government officials.
The Premier noted that for effective justice to prevail in the country, corruption must be purged by all concerned.
"We expect much from you. You must be exemplary, fight against corruption and avoid it,” he said.
"You have taken the oath; you should always respect it. Anyone who will work contrary to the oath, will be held accountable”.
Habumuremyi urged the prosecutors to be objective and serve the public equally, adding that it was their responsibility to ensure that all citizens access justice.
A recent report by global corruption watchdog Transparency International ranked Rwanda as fourth least corrupt country in Africa and amongst the cleanest countries globally.
The Prosecutor General, Martin Ngoga, welcomed the new prosecutors saying they would add value to the sector, especially in reducing the backlog of cases.
"They have experience since we have been training them; they are qualified prosecutors and I think they will serve the country as expected,” Ngoga noted.
He added that the new prosecutors would be deployed in various courts countrywide.
In an interview with The New Times, one of the newly sworn-in prosecutors, Andrew Bimenyimana, emphasised that he would work hard to serve the country as well as uphold the oath.
"I am happy that I have finally become a prosecutor. This is a dream I have had since childhood. I will work hard to ensure I fulfill my responsibility to serve my country,” he commented.
Of the 20 new prosecutors, 12 are women. So far, the country has a total of 98 prosecutors.