Five men went in custody for allegedly withholding the food meant for the vulnerable in their localities. The food was a central government scheme to feed the poorest during the #COVID-19 lockdown. All of the men are village leaders from different areas.

#Thread on #Corruption.

These five suspects, awaiting possible prosecution and jail, form part of a large local officialdom spanning across #Rwanda. They wield so much power and influence over the lives of the communities they lead. Very often, they are happy to misuse that power.

#SayNoToCorruption

Away from officials who stole #COVID-19 food, in a separate case, a farmer in @MusanzeDistrict is serving 3year jail term for offering bribe of Rwf 3,000 ($3.3) to local official. He was also fined Rwf 6,000 during conviction – double the bribe he gave.

There are hundreds others like this farmer in jail, others have completed their sentences, or are still in court – all victims of the tough stance adopted by @RwandaGov against corruption.

However reports from a review of government data from the past three years, the harsh response to corruption is catching what are commonly known in #Rwanda as “Udufi duto” (small fish).

Between 2016-2019, a total of 650 people have been convicted for various forms of #corruption, mainly bribes. At least 96 percent of these are MEN, which seems to suggest the face of bribery here is ‘male’. .

Perhaps shocking as well is the fact that 85.7% of the convicts are between ages 25-40 years, giving the understanding that young people are helping to keep the #corruption flame alive.

Once commenting on the trend Tito Rutaremara Chairperson of #Rwanda Elders Advisory Forum wondered at a government conference; “Why are young people in such a hurry to get rich quick. They want riches without sweating!” He said..

@RwandaOmbudsman’s Office which leads the country’s anti-corruption fight keeps track of the #corruption convictions. The 3 year data reviewed shows those in jail are peasants including farmers, drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists (abanyonzi) & small traders.

Actually, over 80% on the list were accused of offering or receiving less than Rwf 30,000 ($31) bribe.

Photo: The total number and cases of #corruption and convicts in last three years

The single biggest #corruption case, which the Ombudsman Anastase Murekezi and the judiciary keeps bragging about at government press conferences is that of an official from electricity provider @reg_rwanda who is said to have embezzled Rwf 90m ($100,000).

Also, Ombusdman’s three year reports indicate that only 6 @Rwandapolice Officers, 1 @RIB_Rw officer, 2 lawyers and 1 Procecutor, 2 employees of @SONARWA 3 SACCO accountants – or 29 people in total were convicted of #corruption involving Rwf 1m or more.

So is #Rwanda’s anti-corruption crusade on right track, & if not, what is wrong? Does it mean people are not stealing or exchanging large sums of money? How come the so called “Ibifi binini” (big fish) are not getting caught? This & other issues are the subject of this #thread