Bank official named in Nsengiyumva graft case

A case involving Justin Nsengiyumva, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education has evolved further with the revelation of the implication of an official of the Central Bank (BNR). According to police spokesman Emmanuel Kabanda, an employee of the Central Bank identified as Evariste Gasirabo reportedly connived with Nsengiyumva to demand for a Rwf 3.5m ‘cut’ (bribe) from businessman Moses Byaruhanga. Gasirabo allegedly negotiated the bribe on behalf of Nsengiyumva. “Byaruhanga pleaded with them (Gasirabo and Nsengiyunmva) that they were asking for a lot of money and Gasirabo, the negotiator reduced the amount to Rwf 2m,” revealed the deputy police spokesman, Emmanuel Kabanda. Kabanda who said that investigations were still going on, added that police is in the process of transferring the file to the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA). Nsengiyumva and his colleague were arrested last Friday afternoon when the police was tipped of and caught them red-handed soliciting for the bribe. The businessman who said he had received a 20 percent advance payment and was waiting to be given the remaining Rwf 79.8m, confirmed Nsengiyumva’s refusal to pay him. He said that his payment order was on the suspect’s desk waiting for his signature but it delayed because of “Nsengiyumva’s agenda”. According to the businessman, the payment order, was for the supply 150 computers and 15 projectors worth Rwf 99.75m to the Ministry of Education. Education Minister Daphrose Gahakwa recently told The New Times that the computers were meant for schools. A close source revealed that Nsengiyumva gave Byaruhanga a one-hour ultimatum to get him the money if he wanted his payment order to either be signed or disapproved. “Yes, Nsengiyumva called me and told me he had my payment order in front of him and that I am given one hour to think wisely and do something before he approves it. Later someone called me and asked me to find him at BNR where I got my new directives of getting paid,” Byaruhanga narrated to The New Times on his cell phone last Tuesday. After realising what the duo was up to something, Byaruhanga alerted the police leading to Nsengiyumva and his colleague’s arrest. In 2004, the government of Rwanda appointed Tito Rutaremara Ombudsman to draw a line of zero tolerance to corruption in Rwanda. Politicians and civil servants in Rwanda including President Paul Kagame were asked to declare their wealth in a campaign against corruption. Rutaremara was quoted then saying that the new government drive would promote transparency and prevent people from acquiring wealth fraudulently. A holder of a Master’s Degree in Economics with specialization in Economic Policy and Management from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. Nsengiyunva was appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education March 12, 2008. He had been serving in the same capacity at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Investment Promotion, Tourism and Cooperatives from 2005. Ends