NID employee under probe over forgery

KIGALI - An employee of the National ID project (NID) is the subject of a police investigation to establish whether she assisted some people to illegally get official documents, The New Times has learnt. Denise Uwamahoro, is suspected of forging “official documents” and the case was handed over to CID recently for thorough scrutiny. A police source told this newspaper that Uwamahoro was a system administrator at the ID project “until the shady deal was detected.” Pascal Nyamurinda, the NID Project Coordinator, confirmed the development when contacted over the matter. “The police are investigating the matter. Try to get the updates from investigators,” said Nyamirunda, in an interview at his offices in Kimihurura. Police Spokesperson, Supt. Eric Kayiranga said Uwamahoro tried to flee the country but was arrested in Burundi recently and brought back. “It was a case of forgery. They were trying to forge a driving permit for somebody but it was detected,” Kayiranga said. National Identity Cards and Driving permits are processed and produced by the ID Project. Nyamirunda described Uwamahoro’s case as an isolated incident which should not be blown out of proportion. He explained that employees at the NID Project are expected to display high level of integrity. He explained that the process of issuing National IDs was going on well; arguing nobody could abuse the process and go undetected. The ID project produces electronic identity cards, driving licenses, national smart cards and other documents. Ends