Auditor General has revealed that Rwf1.47 billion was safeguarded during the 2024/2025 fiscal year through strengthened preventive auditing measures aimed at stopping misuse of public funds before it occurs.
Presenting the annual report to both chambers of Parliament on May 6, Auditor General Alexis Kamuhire emphasized that the shift toward proactive oversight is already yielding tangible results in public financial management.
“We have started implementing preventive audits to avoid the loss or misuse of public resources,” Kamuhire said.
“This year alone, such efforts helped recover Rwf1.47 billion.” he told the Parliament.
The recovered funds, though lower than the Rwf9 billion secured in the previous fiscal year, reflect a growing focus on early intervention rather than post-misuse recovery.
The funds were traced across several institutions, including the Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA), WASAC, the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK), and the districts of Kirehe and Ruhango.
The report also highlights steady improvements in financial discipline across government entities.
Approximately 79% of audited institutions received clean audit reports, signaling stronger compliance with public finance regulations.
Challenges Persist
The Auditor General noted that Rwf600 million was still spent improperly during the year, down from Rwf2 billion in the previous period, an indication of progress, albeit gradual.
Lawmakers welcomed the findings, particularly the emphasis on preventive auditing.
Member of Parliament Diogène Bitunguramye described the approach as a critical step toward achieving Rwanda’s long-term development goals.
“This is a very positive development,” he said. “If we continue on this path, we will be well positioned to achieve our NST2 targets.”
Despite the gains, the report flagged 27 institutions requiring special attention due to identified weaknesses.
It also raised concerns over stalled projects worth more than Rwf481 billion, some of which have remained inactive for one to two years.
Overall, the report suggests that while Rwanda is making measurable progress in safeguarding public resources, continued vigilance and stronger implementation of corrective measures will be essential to sustain momentum.
