The Ombudsman's office is hoping to enhance compliance to annual wealth declaration among public officials as this year's declaration period is set to commence.
The declaration process always begins in May and concludes on June 30.
According to sources at the Ombudsman's office, preliminary procedures to initiate the process for this year are already underway.
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"We are waiting for updated lists from institutions so that we send the invitation email (for declaration) to them,” a source at the Ombudsman’s office told The New Times.
Among the officials required to declare their assets is the president of the republic, the president of the senate, the speaker of the parliament, the Chief Justice, the Prime Minister, members of the cabinet, senators and MPs, high-ranking officers of the Rwanda Defence Force and the police, top local governments leaders, career judges and prosecutors.
In addition, officials responsible for managing public finances and properties are also required to declare, alongside their counterparts who oversee public tenders, tax and revenue authorities, advisors, directors, ambassadors, state attorneys, public notaries, the Chief Ombudsman, Deputy Ombudsman, among others.
During the declaration, officials are required to specify the source of declared property, acquisition date, value at acquisition, assets of their spouses if married, properties of children below eighteen years, personal donations, and more.
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Over the past three years, there has been an improvement in the number of officials declaring their assets, though there is still a gap to bridge.
For instance, in 2020-2021, out of 13,313 officials required to declare, 13,276 complied, representing 99.7 percent. Similarly, in 2021-2022, out of 16,274 obligated to declare, 16,191 did so, accounting for 99.5 percent. Moreover, in 2022-2023, out of 17,695 individuals required to declare, 17,687 complied, constituting 99.95 percent.
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What happens after declaration?
Once the Ombudsman's office receives the declared assets from obligated individuals, the Declaration of Assets Unit scrutinises the submissions to ensure legal acquisition. Those found to have provided incorrect information regarding their assets face referral to the National Public Prosecution Authority to do more investigations about them.
When do officials declare?
As per the law governing the Ombudsman's office, public servants obligated to declare their assets must do so by June 30 each year if currently in service. For those no longer in public service, the deadline is within fifteen days of leaving office. New public officials are required to declare their properties within one month of assuming office. Declarations for the Ombudsman, Deputy Ombudsmen, and Office staff are submitted to the Senate Bureau within the same timeframe.
Consequences of non-compliance
Failure to declare assets or provision of incomplete or inaccurate information incurs administrative penalties. The first offense warrants a request for a corrected declaration.
Repetition of the same mistake leads to escalating sanctions. For instance, if the officials get the declaration wrong for the second time, they are warned. If they do it for the third time, a quarter of their salary is withheld, and if they do it for the fourth time, they are dismissed.
If a declaration is rejected twice for notified reasons, investigations commence.
Confidentiality of declarations
Declared assets are kept confidential, accessible only to the filer and relevant custodians.
Access to declaration information for investigation purposes is granted to the President of the Supreme Court or the Prosecutor General upon official request to the Ombudsman or Senate Bureau.