The Prosecution is investigating a case in which a popular businesswoman in Gakenke District is accused of forging documents and embezzling public funds. Opportunée Uwamaliya, the president of Private Sector Federation (PSF) in Gakenke, was arrested on Tuesday following investigations by Police. Uwamariya, who is also the PSF vice-president in Northern Province, is being held at Gakenke Police Station.Alain Mukurarinda, the spokesperson for the National Public Prosecution Authority, said yesterday that the suspect is being investigated on accusations of forging documents and embezzling public funds. It is alleged that the suspect embezzled the funds belonging to a farmers’ cooperative. The money had been provided to buy fertilisers from Top Service Company, a fertiliser distribution firm. “Investigations are ongoing, and we will provide details in due course,” said Mukurarinda, who is also a national prosecutor, adding that the ongoing investigations might also help establish whether there are other people involved. Although Mukurarinda refused to delve into the nature of documents Uwamaliya is alleged to have forged and how much money she allegedly embezzled, sources close to the investigation put the money to the tune of Rwf135 million. Top Service Company distributed fertilisers last season but the company later complained to district officials that they had not been paid by agro dealers who took the fertilisers. It is said the agro dealers had the company’s account on which they would deposit money after selling fertilisers to farmers but later were given another account which is suspected to have been opened by Uwamaliya. The prosecution is not yet sure of what charge it will prefer against Uwamaliya. “We can’t tell what will be the sentence as we are still investigating, other cases may be revealed while she could also be absolved of wrongdoing,” said Mukurarinda. Uwamaliya is the proprietor of a popular pub known as Tantum Ergot and the small wine processing plant Gakenke District. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
