Nyarugenge Primary Court is expected to deliver its ruling on September 10 regarding whether to place the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA), Gisèle Umuhumuza, and her co-accused, Dominique Murekezi, on remand pending trial on corruption-related charges. Umuhumuza, who previously served as Acting CEO of the Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) and Managing Director of WASAC Utility, is being prosecuted alongside Murekezi, the Acting Managing Director of WASAC Development. The case adds to a widening corruption probe within WASAC, following the recent detention of former WASAC CEO, Omar Munyaneza, who is already on a 30-day remand over similar allegations. ALSO READ: Former WASAC boss remanded, assistant freed on bail Allegations against the accused According to prosecution, the duo, Umuhumuza, and Murekezi, is accused of abusing powers granted by law for personal gain, making decisions based on nepotism, favouritism, or friendship, and unauthorised use of public resources. The prosecution reported a pattern of illegal recruitment, job promotions, and dismissals that violated WASAC’s 2018 Human Resources Policy. Among the allegations, prosecutors cited improper recruitment in 28 positions involving 45 candidates, as well as unfair hiring of graduates where the accused are said to have recruited 22 graduates from INES Ruhengeri and University of Rwanda without subjecting them to mandatory exams. About unauthorised promotions and transfers, the prosecution indicated that at least 15 employees were removed from roles aligned with their qualifications and reassigned to positions they were unfit for. They also accuse the defendants of irregular salary allocation, where for instance Umuhumuza is said to have approved some inflated salary packages. On the exam irregularities, prosecution claims Umuhumuza allowed an unqualified candidate to sit for an exam and later facilitated his hiring, despite the person lacking required qualifications such as professional certifications. During a previous hearing, prosecutors requested that the duo be remanded. However, the defendants requested for bail pending the trial. The court’s ruling today will determine whether Umuhumuza and Murekezi will be granted bail or remanded as the case proceeds to a full trial.
