Ombudsman calls for shared will to fight corruption

HUYE – The government will to fight against corruption should be emulated by all in order to stem the vice, the Ombudsman, Tito Rutaremara said Monday. Talking to The New Times on the sidelines of activities to mark the anti-corruption week in Huye district, the Ombudsman called on all people at all levels to join the anti-corruption campaign if tangible results are to be realised. “There is need to share the political will to fight corruption, the need to share the strong stance taken by the President against corruption,” said Rutaremara. He said that the anti-corruption week serves to highlight the problem of corruption in countries worldwide, and bring on board the general population because of its significant role in the fight. Earlier, the ombudsman was hosted on a local radio show before unveiling posters with anti-corruption messages near the National University of Rwanda. He noted that many people involved in embezzlement of state funds have been prosecuted, hailing the role played by the population in reporting suspected cases. “Each day I get 6-7 calls from whistle blowers who direct us to possible cases of corruption, the contribution of such people is important in fighting this vice,” he added. “Corruption cannot be uprooted in a day; change will come gradually as our people know their rights, when they are ready to fight for them.” As part of the activities to mark anti-corruption week, personnel from the ombudsman office are investigating the implementation of different government programmes. According to Séraphin Rumaziminsi Ntagwabira, the countrywide investigation was sanctioned following reports of glaring abuse of the different programmes. “Investigations conducted in five districts of Kayonza, Ruhango, Karongi, Rulindo and Gasabo revealed some irregularities in the implementation of programmes like One-cow-one family, Ubudehe and building houses for the vulnerable. Assistance through these programmes in most cases went to the wrong people,” he said. The investigation that will be conducted in all the 30 districts seeks to determine at what level the programmes were mismanaged. Ends