The Office of the Ombudsman has launched an online complaints filing system for members of the Diaspora.

Rwandans living abroad can now login to diaspora@ombudsman.gov.rw and send their petitions to the office.

The new platform will speed up the follow up of cases because it will help in quickly and effectively keeping documents related to complaints from the Diaspora, officials at the Office of the Ombudsman said.

"We are a smart country which endeavors to expedite service delivery in all sectors, that’s what we are doing and we want to continue doing,” said Jean Pierre Nkurunziza, the body’s spokesperson.

He said an officer will be receiving and handling the complaints right away.

According to Joanna Matabaro, an official from the Ministry of Foreign affairs who is involved with the Rwandan Diaspora, the new system will facilitate her job because the ministry normally receives complaints from Rwandans living abroad, especially through mail firms such as DHL. "It was limiting the flow of ideas because it is costly and not direct,” she said.

For Patrice Lumumba Kayiranga who lives in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, the online platform will help him save more time for his business.

"I am so grateful for that. It will facilitate us to continue with our business since filing a complaint will no longer require my physical presence,” he said.

Petitions from people living in Rwanda can either be physically submitted to the Ombudsman’s office in Kigali or online by sending an e-mail to info@ombudsman.gov.rw.