Partial findings by the Ministry of Local Government, FARG, police, the prosecution and Ibuka, show that funds meant for Genocide survivors are being mismanaged. On Friday last week, the Office of the Ombudsman revealed massive embezzlement of funds for the survivors’ housing program, yet this is not the first time such malpractises have been reported. In some Provinces, the houses constructed were of poor quality, while in others, thousands of survivors who were supposed to benefit from the program were left in the cold, and instead, people who did not deserve them were allocated the houses. Sadly, some of the people behind the mismanagement of these finances are the very people who live with the survivors and sand know of their plight better. While some money has already been lost, something needs to be done and salvage the situation. Therefore, the move by the Ministry of Local Government to carry out a comprehensive countrywide evaluation of houses constructed for Genocide survivors is a welcome development. But, complex as it is, it cannot be turned over to the government alone to solve the problem. Fighting corruption, with all its associated dangers is clear to all of us and should no longer be responsibility of the government alone. It is up to everyone to play their individual and collective roles to ensure that Genocide survivors live a better life. Ends
