The new Ombudsman, Aloysie Cyanzayire, has vowed to maintain the country’s anti corruption stance.Speaking at a handover ceremony, yesterday in Kigali, Cyanzayire commended the outgoing Ombudsman, Tito Rutaremara, [now senator] for laying a good foundation in fighting graft. She noted that she had worked with the body indirectly and had heard of its excellent performance which was a big relief for her since she had always been assigned to either pioneer or revive collapsing institutions. “A winning team never relaxes, the more one achieves, the more one ought to aim higher. When you love your work, you don’t get exhausted,” she said, challenging the staff to keep the fire burning.“Though absent, I feel like my predecessor, The first Ombudsman (Tito Rutaremara) should retain the title because I wonder how to even fit in his shoes. He gave the institution the image it deserves.”The former Chief Justice noted that as she went through files before assuming office, she realised appeals were increasing which reflected a growing confidence in the institution and rights awareness among the community. On wealth declaration by civil servants, she said she would increase compliance since the electronic means of wealth declaration, largely blamed for the failure to beat deadlines for wealth declaration, will be fine tuned.She cited the culture of concealing corruption among the greatest challenges to fighting the vice.“Corruption is such a difficult issue to prove since it’s done in such a subtle way that proving it calls for protection, cooperation and appropriate legal provisions. I’m glad to inform you that there is a law protecting witnesses and whistle blowers,” she said.She said her major focus was to carry out awareness campaigns on the need and means to combat injustice and corruption. Cyanzayire added she was banking on other institutions like the private and civil society organisations to support and own the institution to curb corruption.“The community must understand that we cannot build this nation by accommodating corruption. That is the culture we are to inculcate,” she said.The new Ombudsman received the mantle from her deputy, Augustin Nzindukiyimana, who has been working in the acting capacity.He highlighted under staffing as the biggest challenge facing them, where the whole institution operates like one department with only 10 staff compared to other nations likeBurundi and Kenya, where there are several departments with over 50 staff.Meanwhile, at the same function, a cheque worth Rwf 32 million, as a staff contribution to Agaciro Development Fund, was handed over to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Christopher Nsengiyaremye.The office of the Ombudsman is 8 years old and is mandated to check corruption across the board.
