Three officials in Rutsiro District have been arrested in connection with embezzlement of over Rwf4.5 million.

Jean Claude Ukurikiyeyezu, the in charge of good governance in Gihango Sector; Damien Mbaganehe, in charge of social affairs in Mushonyi Sector, and Vainqeur Maurice Ufitingabire, the agronomist of Kivumu Sector, were arrested on Tuesday.

They are currently detained at Gihango Police station pending further investigations, police said.

Chief Inspector of Police Théobald Kanamugire, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said the trio, while they were still working in Manihira Sector, secured a loan from a SACCO branch in the area, which was meant for a cooperative of former prostitutes, only to divert the funds.

"They secured a loan of Rwf4,573, 550 from Gihango SACCO, which they alleged was for the cooperative of former prostitutes; instead, they used the money to start a bar in Rubavu town,” CIP Kanamugire said.

"The malpractice came to light when the SACCO branch demanded the cooperative to honour their commitment of servicing the loan, but the leadership of the cooperative informed them that they were not aware that the loan had been granted let alone released. Investigations later found out that the three individuals instead used the money to start a joint business,” he added.

"This is an unfortunate act of misuse of authority that undermines development. This is money that was meant to change the life of people,” Kanamugire noted.

Embezzlement, under article 325 of the Penal Code, is punishable with a term of imprisonment of seven to ten years and a fine of two to five times the value of the embezzled or destroyed property.

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