Nyagatare: Woman arrested over bribery

Nyagatare, 04 Jan. (RNA) – Police in Nyagatare District is holding one Jeaninne Uwineza, 29, for allegedly attempting to bribe the District Police Commander with Rwf100, 000. The bribe was meant to seduce the DPC to release Uwineza’s husband, who had been arrested earlier for allegedly distilling illicit brew.

Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Theobald Kanamugire said that fighting corruption or bribery is among the Rwanda National Police key priorities.

“If you are thinking of bribing or soliciting bribes, or engaging in any sort of corruption, be ready to face the consequences,” CIP Kanamugire warned.

More than 200 civilians were arrested last year for attempting to bribe police officers.

Meanwhile, Uwineza admitted to the crime and pleaded for leniency.

Corruption is punishable under article 4 of the special law which stipulates that, any person who solicits, accepts or receives, by any means, an illegal benefit for himself/ herself or another person or accepts a promise in order to render or omit a service under his or her mandate or uses his or her position to render or omit a service commits an offence.

Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of more than five years but not more than seven years with a fine of three to five times the value of the illegal benefit solicited or given.  (End)