The Acting Commissioner General of the Rwanda National Police has called upon Rwandans to combine efforts in the fight against corruption.

Mary Gahonzire made the remarks on Monday at National Police headquarters in Kigali as she presided over the kick-off of the week-long campaign against corruption, an exercise that is running countrywide from March 9 to 13.

"We need to work hand in hand to eradicate corruption and all its tendencies,” Gahonzire said, explaining that the fight against corruption calls for everyone’s efforts, and assured  that Police has set a target of reducing the vice by at least 20 percent this year.

She mentioned the Police’s commitment of following more closely crimes related to corruption, pointing out that this is one of their strategies enshrined in their five-year strategic plan.

According to her, the week-long campaign will act as a reminder to all stakeholders to prioritise handling issues related to corruption and to examine challenges encountered while following up corruption cases.

Gahonzire however made it clear that Police as an institution is itself not clean in as far as corruption, but was quick to mention that such people will always be dealt with accordingly.

"There is no room for anyone who has corruption tendencies in our services,” she said, adding that such cases have always seen some of police officers fired.

Partners of the police service in the fighting corruption include all government ministries, the Private Sector Federation, the office of the Ombudsman, the Association of Transporters (ATRACO) and Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) among others.

The Commissioner General of RRA Mary Baine said corruption affects the country’s revenues, as taxpayers try to pay less than what they are expected to pay.

"The fight has to be continuous and constant,” she noted, pointing out that at least 12 RRA officials were sacked in 2008 and some of them have since been brought before justice to answer for their charges.

Corruption is currently one of the country’s great concerns.

Recently, government appointed an anti-corruption commission, and a considerable number of government officials have been fired in recent days for corruption related accusations.

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