The Ministry of Justice is seeking increased funding in the 2026/27 fiscal year to expand legal aid services, strengthen forensic investigations, support mediation committees, and improve operations at Isange One Stop Centres. The Minister of Justice, Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, presented the priorities on Tuesday, May 12, during a budget hearing before the parliamentary Committee on State Budget and Patrimony. ALSO READ: Budget: Lawmakers call for action on compensation delays, road repairs The hearing reviewed budget performance for the current fiscal year and projections for the next three years for the Ministry of Justice and affiliated institutions, including the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA), Rwanda Law Reform Commission (RLRC), Rwanda Forensic Institute (RFI), and the Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD). The overall proposed budget for the justice sector institutions will increase from Rwf51 billion in 2025/26 to Rwf51.68 billion in 2026/27. MINIJUST alone is expected to receive Rwf11.13 billion in 2026/27, up from Rwf9.19 billion. NPPA’s budget is projected to rise from Rwf10.08 billion to Rwf10.67 billion, while RIB’s allocation is expected to increase slightly from Rwf22.93 billion to Rwf23.18 billion. However, RFI’s allocation is projected to slightly decline from Rwf5.24 billion to Rwf5.23 billion despite growing demand for forensic services and plans to acquire advanced equipment needed for international accreditation. ALSO READ: Govt projects spending Rwf7.8 trillion in 2026/27 ILPD, which had received more than Rwf2.15 billion 2025/26 budget, has no direct allocation in the proposed 2026/27 framework. “There has been a self-reliance approach for ILPD, which explains why it does not have a direct budget allocation under this framework,” Ugirashebuja told lawmakers. Focus on mediation, legal aid Among the key priorities under the new budget framework is legal aid and human rights support, allocated more than Rwf535 million for 2026/27. The ministry also plans to spend over Rwf416 million on supporting mediation committees, better known as Abunzi. The ministry is also implementing a four-year access to justice project supported by the European Union worth about Rwf3.87 billion, with Rwf1.88 billion expected to be spent in 2026/27. ALSO READ: Govt highlights spending priorities for 2026-27 Another externally funded programme on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and criminal justice policies supported by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is projected to spend Rwf1.85 billion next year. However, implementation of some externally funded projects has lagged. Data presented by the minister showed that the ADR and criminal justice policy implementation project had executed only 40 per cent of its 2025/26 budget by the time of the hearing. MINIJUST attributed the low execution rate to delayed procurement processes and pending payments. The ministry’s development budget had been used by 41 per cent, compared to 90.95 per cent execution for recurrent expenditures. MPs raise concerns over Isange vehicles, communication gaps MP Epiphanie Mukampunga raised concerns over shortages of operational vehicles at Isange One Stop Centres, which support victims of gender-based violence and child abuse. “The equipment of Isange One Stop Centres, including vehicles, has remained an issue. There was progress in purchasing vehicles and training workers, but there is still a gap,” she said. She noted that 30 vehicles had so far been acquired, out of 44 that are needed. She also questioned delays in implementing externally funded ADR projects, pending invoices, communication challenges, and the impact of insufficient financing on planned activities. Responding to the concerns, Minister Ugirashebuja said the Isange centres were initially financed by donors before the government gradually assumed responsibility. “In the current fiscal year, we plan to purchase five additional vehicles,” he said, adding that in the next three years the remaining 10 will have been secured. Under the proposed 2026/27 GBV-related budget, Rwf50 million has been allocated for services at Isange One Stop Centres. Additional allocations include Rwf466.3 million for scientific investigation of GBV cases and Rwf907.7 million for procurement of reagents and chemicals used in forensic evidence analysis. The minister’s presentation also showed that forensic investigations had already achieved 100 per cent budget execution in the current fiscal year, while procurement of forensic reagents stood at 99.8 per cent execution. Child legal representation concerns MP Venuste Icyitegetse raised concerns about legal representation for children, saying some lawyers prefer assignments with better pay. “There are concerns from children that some lawyers prioritise cases with better payment, which affects legal support services for minors,” he said. Ugirashebuja acknowledged the issue and said discussions were ongoing to improve incentives for lawyers supporting children’s cases. “We are discussing possible solutions, including engagements with Rwanda Revenue Authority so that taxes on these payments can be removed and lawyers supporting children’s cases can earn better,” he said. The ministry also plans to continue implementing a child justice project supported by UNICEF, valued at more than Rwf371 million. Forensic expansion, investigations face funding pressure The minister also told lawmakers that some critical operations remain underfunded despite budget increases. According to the presentation, RIB requested over Rwf1.7 billion for fuel in 2026/27 and Rwf907 million was allocated. The bureau also requested more than Rwf1.54 billion for maintenance of vehicles, motorcycles, and drones, and it got Rwf1.15 billion in proposed budget framework paper. The presentation warned that some operations dependent on vehicles may not be carried out on time due to insufficient funding. RIB additionally indicated that inadequate financing for intelligence activities could affect crime prevention efforts and contribute to case backlogs. Meanwhile, the Rwanda Forensic Institute is seeking more than Rwf7.29 billion next fiscal year for a long-term laboratory modernisation project running until 2028/29. The project, valued at more than Rwf34.9 billion, aims to acquire advanced forensic lab equipment and support efforts to obtain accreditation from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 25017. Overall budget execution across the justice sector institutions in the current fiscal year ended June 30 stood at 78.6 per cent by the time of the parliamentary hearing. RIB recorded the highest execution rate at 88.3 per cent, followed by RFI at 77.7 per cent, NPPA at 76.4 per cent, RLRC at 75.55 per cent, and MINIJUST at 74.4 per cent.
