In an anti-corruption crackdown, the national water utility, WASAC, dismissed 27 employees accused of soliciting bribes from customers across the country after the release of the 2024 Rwanda Bribery Index, officials said on Friday, June 13.
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The report placed WASAC among institutions with the highest prevalence of corruption, at a rate of 5.9%.
During the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Transparency International-Rwanda, WASAC, on Friday, officials announced that they had uncovered 50 corruption cases, with 27 employees already dismissed and the remaining cases pending in court.
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The water utility’s data shows that corruption cases were spread across multiple districts, with notable cases in Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Bugesera (where one was caught taking a cash bribe), and several parts of Kigali, including Kanombe, Nyarugenge, Remera, Gikondo, and Kacyiru, as well as in Muhanga and Nyaruguru districts.
Omar Munyaneza, the CEO of WASAC Group Ltd, stated that the institution has adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption, with instant dismissal now enforced for any verified misconduct; a shift from previous warning-based systems.
"We no longer give warnings for corruption-related offenses. If an employee is caught soliciting money for transport or asking clients to pay for any service that should be free, that’s now an offense that warrants immediate termination,” he emphasized.
He noted that while the institution is committed to fighting corruption, it also invests in preventive education.
"Our employees are regularly trained on ethics and service integrity, including sessions held at Nkumba Training Center,” he added.
Marie-Immaculée Ingabire, the Chairperson of Transparency International-Rwanda, applauded WASAC’s decisive action, describing it as a necessary step in an institution that touches the daily lives of millions.
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"This utility is used by everyone, but some employees abuse that trust. It’s common to hear one worker claim a water meter is out of stock while another will find it after you pay extra money,” Ingabire said.
"Firing corrupt staff without prior warnings, as agreed with the Ministry of Public Service, sends a strong message that there is no room for dishonesty in public service.”
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She added that a culture of negative solidarity, protecting wrongdoers within institutions is still rampant in many government agencies, but praised WASAC for publicly exposing and acting against corruption.
Ingabire urged the utility body to accelerate the rollout of prepaid water meter systems which reduce physical contact between staff and customers, thereby lowering the chances of corruption.
Gisèle Umuhumuza, the Managing Director of WASAC Utility Ltd, confirmed that the organization is piloting prepaid public water dispensing systems in Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Kayonza, Rwamagana, and Kigali.
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"The idea is simple; people fetch water depending on the amount of money they’ve loaded on their token. The hubs have electronic meters and operate 24/7, without any need for an attendant. This greatly limits opportunities for bribery,” Umuhumuza explained.
These smart meters use GSM/GPRS communication and integrate mobile payment platforms like MTN Mobile Money and Airtel Money to facilitate water purchases.
The TI-Rwanda Executive Director, Apollinaire Mupiganyi, warned that scammers are also exploiting gaps in customer awareness.
"We’ve received reports of people pretending to be WASAC agents, calling customers over the weekend and threatening disconnection unless they pay immediately. These fraudsters are stealing money and trust,” he said.
Mupiganyi noted that Transparency International will continue to support WASAC through staff training, citizen engagement, and in-depth research on corruption prevention in public utilities.
Ingabire criticized favouritism in water supply, referencing complaints that city neighbourhoods inhabited by officials or the wealthy rarely experience water shortages.
"This is a form of corruption too; actually, abuse of power. Everyone pays the same [amount of money] for water, so why should some areas always have it while others go dry? Leaders should ensure that ordinary citizens are served first, not the other way around. Fighting corruption is in everyone’s interest. If we don’t act now, it will eventually affect us all,” she said.