Ombudsman Madeleine Nirere has expressed concern over the high number of complaints received by her office and called out some local government institutions for failing to resolve minor issues at the community level. ALSO READ: Ombudsman calls for efficiency in issuance of permits for filling stations She noted this on Monday, January 6, during the presentation of the 2024 Ombudsman’s annual report to parliament. “We have districts, we have sectors, we have cells, and there are services offered there,” she said. According to the report, the Ombudsman’s Office received 1,587 complaints in 2024. Of these, 979 were resolved, while 282 remain under investigation, and 362 were referred to other institutions for follow-up. The Ombudsman’s Office is mandated to address injustice and corruption, and its job entails receiving, reviewing, and monitoring complaints, analysing corruption-related information, and submitting findings to competent authorities. It can also request the Supreme Court to review final judgments deemed unjust. Of the total complaints it received in 2024, some 1,100 were gathered during citizen outreach visits to seven districts, while 487 were submitted in writing. ALSO READ: Ombudsman says over Rwf15bn owed to expropriated people “It was found that reaching out to the people is important because it gives us time to sensitise as well as cooperate with other institutions to help the people so that more complaints that are received get solved immediately,” the report pointed out. The Ombudsman’s Office also plays a broader role in preventing and combating injustice and corruption. Its responsibilities include verifying asset declarations, advising the government on strategies to fight corruption, and monitoring the implementation of anti-corruption policies.
