Rwanda National Police have confirmed the arrest of Jean-Bosco Mugiraneza, the CEO of Rwanda Energy Group (REG). Speaking to The New Times on phone, Police spokesperson Chief Supt Célestin Twahirwa confirmed development, saying the official was being investigated for allegedly holding in contempt the office of the ombudsman. “It is true, we have him in custody for detailed investigations, following suspicions on failure to comply with regulations and activities as assigned to the office of the ombudsman,” he said. According to the Office of the Ombudsman, the arrest followed several complaints concerning the process of recruitment at the energy group, which the ombudsman has been investigating. In a brief interview, Jean-Pierre Nkurunziza, the adviser to the chief ombudsman said that complaints have piled up from different individuals which led to the summoning of Mugiraneza. “Although the case is under investigation, we summoned him and he refused to share with us all information demanded, yet it is clear that any civil servant when summoned by the ombudsman has to comply and provide all necessary information,” he said. Rwanda Energy Group was created after the splitting of the Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority (EWSA) and the group has two subsidiaries; the Energy Utility Corporation Limited (EUCL) and Energy Development Corporation Limited (EDCL) responsible for energy retailing and development respectively.
