While presenting the 2024/2025 annual activity report and the 2025/2026 action plan before both Chambers of Parliament, Chief Ombudsman Madeleine Nirere announced that the institution had recovered Rwf 1,393,962,818 out of the Rwf 2 billion initially targeted for recovery during the year.

She emphasized that the recovery demonstrates the country’s growing capacity to fight corruption and safeguard public assets.

“Recovering public funds is a sign that our institutions are functioning effectively and are committed to justice and integrity. It is an important step in building transparent and accountable governance,” she said.

Since 2014 up to June 2025, the Office of the Ombudsman has recovered a cumulative Rwf 15.44 billion, alongside €3,729, US$14,743, and assets valued at Rwf 100.9 million.

In the fight against corruption, the office investigated 66 cases involving 33 individuals suspected of corruption-related offenses, with several cases forwarded to the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) for prosecution. Nirere stressed the need to reinforce public awareness, especially among civil servants and the youth, to promote integrity.

Responding to a question from Senator Ngarambe, who noted the lack of standardized training materials for youth anti-corruption clubs, the Chief Ombudsman said the institution is developing formal training modules to strengthen civic education.

“We used to distribute short booklets with basic lessons on anti-corruption, but we are now preparing comprehensive modules that will equip young people and community leaders with consistent and practical knowledge,” she explained.

According to the report, the Ombudsman’s Office reviewed 555 injustice-related complaints during the year. Of these, 39 cases (7%) were recommended for retrial, 16 cases were resolved through mediation, while 500 cases (90%) were found not to involve any form of injustice.

The institution also verified asset declarations for 6,338 public officials, identifying 8 individuals who failed to justify the source of their wealth. Five of them were referred to RIB, while three remain under investigation. Nirere noted that such verification exercises help deter embezzlement and enhance public accountability.

In terms of budget execution, the Office of the Ombudsman used Rwf 1.879 billion, representing 98.1% of its allocated budget for the fiscal year.

Nirere concluded by calling on all sectors to work together in fighting corruption and injustice, reaffirming that Rwanda’s governance gains must be safeguarded.

“Fighting corruption and injustice is not the duty of institutions alone. It is a collective responsibility of all citizens. Building a just and corruption-free nation requires the active participation of everyone,” she said.

The report highlights tangible progress in recovering public assets and strengthening the fight against corruption and injustice. While the number of reported cases continues to rise, the Ombudsman’s Office considers it a sign of growing trust among citizens and a deeper culture of accountability within Rwanda’s governance system.