Ombudsman rallies varsity students in fight against graft

MUSANZE - Over 80 students from the National University of Rwanda-UNR, under their association DUSAFU-District University Students Forum, on Monday completed training in fighting corruption and its effects, in Musanze District. The trainees are expected to take part in anti corruption campaigns in various communities. Speaking during the training, Yusuf Nsengiyunva, from the Ombudsman’s office, which organised the training, said that the students would play a critical role in educating residents in their localities about the dangers of corruption and how it is manifested. ‘They lack clear knowledge on how they should deal with cases of corruption which is some times disguised as ‘umuti wi karamu (ink) or a drink,’ Nsengiyunva said. He noted that similar trainings will be conducted in at least ten districts, and will be followed by a wider training of district authorities, religious leaders and teachers on how to fight injustice and corruption. The students were also briefed on ways of preventing sexual-related violence and respect of human rights. ‘’This is a good opportunity for us to practice what we study and at the same time help our parents to understand and fight corruption and related offences,’’ Celestin Nshimiyimana, a 4th-year law student said. The students pledged to support the government in its zero tolerance of corruption by reporting and encouraging residents to report any forms of the vice. ‘’We are joining the campaign now, to expose various forms of corruption in the rural areas, and fight discrimination of any kind,’’ Sandrine Mukase, 2nd year Applied Statistics student and chairperson of the students association from Musanze said. Ends