Prof. Lwakabamba vows to crackdown on graft at INATEK

The vice chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Technology and Education of Kibungo (INATEK) Prof. Silas Lwakabamba, has vowed to leave no stone unturned in the crackdown on officials at the institution implicated in corruption-related cases. Addressing varsity academic and non-academic staff, Lwakabamba said every official must be ready to account for every penny they receive from the institution’s coffers. Lwakabamba’s remarks came barely a month after an audit exposed a rot at the varsity in which some of the top administrators were implicated. While some of those implicated were simply dismissed, others have been in jail awaiting trial. The former vice rector in charge of administration and finance and his deputy, and a lecturer are among those implicated in the scandal. “The face of this institution must change…we are determined to make it happen. The goal is to educate people and the nation. We cannot, therefore, allow staff to do the contrary…if there was any corruption, those in question will be held accoutable,” he said. Dr Theophile Muhayimana, the deputy vice chancellor said, ‘‘Where there is bribery and embezzlement, no one is spared.’’ One of the detained staff allegedly obtained Rwf400,000 from students and was allegedly involved in sex scandals with students. “It’s true one of the staff took sex bribes and cash from female students while over Rwf9 million was swindled from the varsity coffers…this is absolutely out of order. We shall push such culprits to where they belong,” he said. Martin Gahima, the varsity’s lawyer, said it was high time the good image of the institution was restored. “Crimes committed are on individual basis, they shouldn’t be generalised to reflect the image of the school. It should be noted that it won’t affect the quality of education offered by the university,” he said. Based in Ngoma District, INATEK was established 12 years ago. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Prof. Lwakabamba vows to crackdown on graft at INATEK