President Kagame Encourages Public To Denounce Corruption

Barely a week after the Rwandan National Police expelled 198 officers, largely due to graft and other offenses, President Paul Kagame has emphasized the need to increase stance on corruption.

Kagame said there should be no tolerance in the face of corruption.

He made this remark earlier today while visiting the Kigali Special Economic Zone before ending the tour with an interactive session with investors at Amahoro National Stadium.

“All of you should stand up against corruption,” he said. “You cannot stay silent and expect others to hold those involved accountable.”

Kagame is of the view that not being corrupt is equally malicious. “Silence in the face of corruption causes consequences,” Kagame said and advises the public to speak up against corruption because those plundering public resources do it for personal interest at the expanse of all citizens.

The President’s remarks follow a cabinet decision last Friday to dismiss 198 police officers implicated in graft and other malpractices. The decision was arrived at during a meeting that was chaired by the President himself.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Theos Badege, said the acts by dismissed officers undermine the core values of the institution and go against national policies.

ACP Badege said the fight against corruption and bribery will continue, either within the force or in other institutions. “The slogan is the same, no mercy for a corrupt officer; it’s automatic dismissal from the force,” he said.

The Ministry of Justice indicates that only 19% of suspects charged with corruption are found innocent, despite the fact that corruption has increasingly become too sophisticated to investigate.

Meanwhile, over two dozens of judges have been dismissed after they were found guilty of corruption since 2005.