Former Rutsiro mayor arrested

Byukusenge Gaspard, the former Rutsiro mayor has been arrested by the police over alleged misappropriation of public funds and soliciting bribes.

Byukusenge Gaspard was arrested in Kigali city where he is being held.

The police spokesperson ACP Celestin Twahirwa has told IGIHE that Byukusenge is pursued by the ombudsman’s office.

“Even though he is detained by police, he is pursued by the ombudsman’s office,” he said.

The communications officer at the office of the ombudsman, Nkurunziza Jean Pierre has told IGIHE that Byukusenge was arrested yesterday and is being held by investigations department but will be handed over to the prosecution after 5 days.

“He was arrested on Tuesday when he came to respond to the invitation of the ombudsman’s office. He is held over alleged crimes of public wealth misallocation and soliciting bribes from an investor who would construct Rutsiro Guest House,” said Nkurunziza.

If found guilty, Byukusenge is subject to be penalized under article 636 of the Rwanda penal code.

The article states that a government official or whoever owns properties of whose source they cannot account for will get a sentence ranging from two to five years of imprisonment and pay a fine in Rwf ranging from twice to ten times of the accumulated property.

On the other hand if convicted with the crime of soliciting bribery, he is subject to be penalized under article 634 article of Rwanda’s penal code which states that whoever solicits or receives a bribe directly or indirectly, is sentenced from two to five years and pays a fine that multiplies twice or ten times of the bribe.

The arrest of Byukusenge follows the executive secretary of this district, Murenzi Thomas who was taken into custody in November 2015.