The Executive Secretary of Rwempasha Sector, Nyagatare District, Emmanuel Murenzi, has been arrested for allegedly swindling over Rwf20 million.

The suspect is currently detained at Nyagatare Police station.

The money had been earmarked by the government to compensate cultivators who were displaced from areas reserved for cattle keepers.Most of the beneficiaries were farmers who had flouted rules on land use in Karangazi Sector, Nyagatare.

The districts of Nyagatare, Kayonza, Gatsibo and Kirehe have had some of their land designated for cattle keeping.

The suspect was the leader of Karangazi Sector until recently when he was transferred to Rwempasha Sector.

The Deputy Eastern Region Police spokesman, Inspector Emmanuel Kayigi, said the accused committed the offences in Karangazi Sector.

"We arrested him for a number of crimes he committed when he was in Karangazi. Investigations are ongoing and he will soon be handed over to prosecution,” he said.

Nyagatare District recently transferred all its sector leaders to different areas, ostensibly to increase their efficiency.

Kayigi told The New Times that the affected persons were residents of Karama, Ndama, Nyamirama and Nyagajanga cells of Karangazi Sector.

He said the suspect faces several charges including abuse of office, corruption, embezzlement of public funds and illegal sale of land.

"The suspect doesn’t deny the fact that at least Rwf20 million went missing. He was one of those in charge of compensating the displaced persons. He instead pocketed all the money,” Kayigi said.