{Police in Kayonza District have arrested two cell leaders who allegedly embezzled Rwf 165,000 meant for Mutuelle de Santé (a universal health insurance scheme) and the theft of 1.5 tons of fertilizers as well as 500kg of maize.}
The suspects are identified as Agnes Uwingeneye, a coordinator of Rukara Cell of Rukara Sector and Jean de Dieu Ngayaberura the in-charge of welfare in the same cell. They were arrested early this week and are currently held at Rukara Police station as investigations in the case proceeds.
According to the Eastern Region Police spokesperson, Inspector of Police (IP) Emmanuel Kayigi, the two suspects started collecting Mutuelle de Sante remittances in early October last year and by October 22, 2015 majority of the residents in their cell had paid the money to the former who promised to bank it.
On April 17, this year, one of the residents, Jean Pierre Kayombya who had honoured his Mutuelle de Sante payments, was involved in an accident and he hurried went to the medical center for treatment. To his surprise, Kayombya was informed that he did not pay for his medical insurance.
Prior to that, with regards to the theft of fertilizers and maize, IP Kayigi said that another person, James Gashayija Gakoza who had been contracted to supply fertilizers and maize, stored them at the cell offices but he was shocked when he returned later only to find that they were missing and immediately filed the case with the police.
“In the process of investigations, residents told us about the Mutuelle de Sante concerns which turned to be true prompting us to added the case on this one of theft.”
He added that; “people occupying public offices should always refrain from such kind of malpractices. They should always know that anyone who attempts to misuse or abuse his office will be punished by the laws.”
He further thanked residents that provided information and urged them to always follow up whenever they have made any payment.
IP Kayigi expressed disappointment over Uwingeneye and Ngayaberura’s alleged actions, which he said are against articles 325 and 609 of the Rwandan penal code.
Embezzlement, under article 325, attracts an imprisonment of up to ten years in prison and a fine of two to five times the value of the embezzled or destroyed property.
Article 609 states that “any person who forges or alters documents by forged signature or fingerprint, falsifying documents or signatures or impersonation, forging agreements, its provisions, obligations, discharged obligations shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of more than five years to seven years and a fine of Rwf300, 000 to Rwf3 million.”
With regards to theft the suspects risked a jail sentence of up to two years if found guilty as stipulated by article 300 of the penal code.
The article states that, “Any person who commits theft without violence or threat shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of six months to two years and a fine of two to five times the value of the stolen property or one of these penalties.”
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