OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN ANTI CORRUPTION INITIATIVES

Introduction The Government of Rwanda has undertaken a number of Anti-corruption measures and this was coupled with immense political will, zero tolerance to corruption and public support. Different laws were adopted and different institutions established. Anti-corruption Policy elaborated and adopted. An anti-corruption strategy cannot succeed without collaboration of public and private sectors. In this context, the Rwanda National anti-corruption policy emphasizes the role of civil society, public sector and public institutions in the fight against corruption. In fighting corruption, different innovations have been put in place. They include an annual anti- corruption week, establishment of Youth anti corruption clubs, competitions, creation of the National Anti Corruption Advisory Council among others.

1.Anti- corruption week Since 2007, Rwanda has initiated an anti-corruption week which is closed on 9th December. The Office of the Ombudsman chooses a theme for that week. During the week, different special anti-corruption activities are performed in different part of the country in order to enhance public awareness on corruption and encourage the citizens to play an active role in the battle against corruption. Those activities include: talk shows on different radios and on Television, billboards with anti corruption messages, press conference, youth anti-corruption day, cycling or football competition, debate on corruption by youth, etc.

2. Good governance competition The Office of the Ombudsman organizes competition on good governance and fighting against corruption in all Districts of the country since 2007. From this competition, achievements, innovations and good practices in fighting against corruption are identified.

3. Student cartoons competition It has been organized the cartoons competition for primary school students and students in the lower level in secondary school. The competition attracted 742 candidates in primary schools and 743 in secondary schools. The competition allowed the Office of the Ombudsman to assess their level of knowledge on corruption and its consequences, and also to raise their awareness on corruption.

4. Introduction of a lesson on integrity values In civic education program (Itorero ry’Igihugu). The necessary is also being done to introduce the lesson in the curricula of primary and secondary schools.

5. Youth anti corruption clubs To effectively fight corruption in any country, the youth have to be fully involved in the process. In that regard, the Office of the Ombudsman has encouraged the creation of anti corruption clubs in high schools and high learning institutions. So far, there are 47 in high schools and 9 clubs in high learning institutions. The Office of the Ombudsman assists the clubs in their activities and trains them to be trainers in their respective schools. In some remote Districts, the Office of the Ombudsman has established anti corruption internet café that are used by anti corruption clubs in helping people to report corruption and injustice cases.

6. National Anti Corruption Advisory Council A National Advisory Council to fight against corruption was created. It is composed of: the Ombudsman, the Chairperson; the Minister in charge of local government, Deputy Chairperson; the Minister in charge of justice ; the Minister in charge of internal security; the Vice-President of the Supreme Court; the Prosecutor General; the Deputies Ombudsmen; the Inspector General of the Rwanda National Police; the Secretary General of National Intelligence and Security Service; the Executive Secretary of Rwanda Public Procurement Authority; the Auditor General; the Chief Executive Officer of Private Sector Federation; the Executive Secretary of Civil Society Platform.   The main responsibilities of the Council are to establish strategies of fighting against corruption and to set up modalities of sharing information on corruption. The Advisory Council has been decentralized at District and Sector level.

7. Operational Audits The Office of the Ombudsman conducts operational audits in public and private institutions in order to identify loopholes of corruption that may exist. The operational audit mainly emphasizes on the respect of laws governing institutions, procurement procedures, human and financial resources management as well as service delivery. After conducting an operational audit, a report containing critical analysis and strong recommendations is produced and submitted to concerned institution(s) for implementation.

8. Declaration of assets The Office receives annually the declaration of assets from persons determined by law and verify their accuracy and origin. This helps in identifying people with illegally obtained assets. It also receives annually the declaration of assets of political organizations and verify their origin and their use. Those who don't declare their assets face sanctions.

9. Gathering information on corrupt behaviors The Office of the Ombudsman sensitizes people on the whistleblowers protection Law and encourages them to report corruption. People may report through toll free, anonymous letters, mails as well as emails. Corrupt acts may also be identified while conducting operational audits. Information on corruption can also be known via newspapers and posts on different popular news websites (this is the result of good collaboration with media). Different popular talk shows are also used where citizens may call and report corruption or injustice malpractices. For a successful investigation, the Office of the Ombudsman uses different techniques of investigations either proactive or reactive. 

10. Use of media in preventing and combating corruption The Office transfers corruption preventive messages to the citizens by its quarterly magazine that is distributed all over the country free of charge. A list of corruption convicts is published on quarterly basis in different newspapers, on the Office of the Ombudsman’s website and its magazine.

11. Use of billboards to transfer anti-corruption messages The Office of the Ombudsman has considered billboards as the quick way of transferring anti-corruption messages to many people. It has installed billboards with anti-corruption messages in different places of the country. It also hires billboards and post anti-corruption messages on them.

12. Organizing dialogue on corruption Public procurement area has been considered as one of the major vulnerable areas to corruption. Therefore, strong mechanisms must be put in place. It is in this context that, in November 2013, the Office organized a national dialogue on corruption in public procurement. The dialogue was attended by different institutions including Ministries, districts, public bodies as well as private sector and civil society. The aim of the dialogue was to exchange ideas on strong and collective strategies and measures to prevent and fight against corruption in public procurement. After discussions, participants adopted important recommendations aiming at fighting corruption in public procurement.

13. Partnership Collaboration with National Police and Transparence International/ Rwanda: MoUs signed. Collaboration with religious organizations in raising public awareness on corruption. Support to the coalition of civil society, public&private sector to fight against corruption. Member of the Asset Recovery Inter-agency Network for Eastern Africa.

14. Other important issues A special attention has been put in dealing with gender-based corruption: the Office has designated a person to deal with such corruption. Spot publicitaire, presentations and posts on websites are used to raise public awareness on gender-based corruption. Whistleblowers protection Law: the Office sensitizes people on this Law through spot publicitaire and talk shows. Asset recovery law adopted by the Parliament. Office has been given prosecution powers regarding corruption cases.

Conclusion The Office of the Ombudsman puts more efforts in preventive mechanisms, because prevention is always better than cure.