Analysis Of the Effectiveness of the Ombudsman (Igg) Office Towards Addressing Misuse of Governement Funds In Rwanda

ABSTRACT This study focused on "Effectiveness of the Ombudsman Office towards Addressing Misuse of Government Funds in Rwanda". It was guided by the following objectives: To establish the effectiveness of the Ombudsman office towards governance improvement; to find out challenges encountered by this office in its efforts to meet the objectives of its mandate; and to suggest the best approaches by Ombudsman's office towards addressing misuse of government funds and deficiencies in its operation. This study adopted a research methodology which combined both quantitative and qualitative techniques. Questionnaire and interview instruments were used in data collection as good techniques that enabled the researcher to receive efficiently and effectively the required information. The study revealed that the Ombudsman Office is very impmtant for development and it is attained through patticipation of all stakeholders in decision-making. Ombudsman Office was adopted with the intention of preventing a recurrence of corruption cases and injustices among the implementation of government policies in Rwanda and it focuses on transparency and accountability as its principle elements. The findings revealed that government should continue sensitizing and raising awareness among citizens on the negative shmt- and long-term effects of corruption. They should also encourage victims of corruption to resist demands for bribe and report them to the relevant authorities. The findings fmther confirmed that the Ombudsman Office plays a vital role in promoting accountability and transparency of government functioning. Therefore, this office brings efficiency and quick complaint resolution despite some barriers in cooperation at different levels. A number of recommendations were made. that the Ombudsman office needs full support of government and all involved patties in order to effectively perform its cardinal role of eradicating corruption and injustice Ill Rwanda public sector.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Declaration ................................................................................................................................. ii 

Approval ................................................................................................................................... iii 

Dedication ................................................................................................................................. iv 

Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... v 

Tab Je of Contents ...................................................................................................................... vi 

Figure .. .......................................... ·-· ............ : ............................................. x 

List of Tables ............................................................................................................................ xi 

Acronomys ............................................................................................................................... xii 

Abstract ................................................................................................................................... xiii 

CHAPTER ONE : INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................... I 

I . 0 I ntrod ucti on ..................................................................................................................... I 

I . I Background of the Study ................................................................................................. I 

I . I . I Historical perspective ...................................................................................................... I 

I . I .2 Theoretical perspective .................................................................................................... 2 

I . I . 3 Conceptual perspective .................................................................................................... 3 

I . I .4 Contextual perspective .................................................................................................... 3 

I .2 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................ 4 

I .3 Purpose of the Study ........................................................................................................ 5 

I .4 Specific 0 bj ecti ves .......................................................................................................... 5 

I .5 Research Questions ......................................................................................................... 5 

I . 6 Scope of the Study ........................................................................................................... 5 

I . 6. I Geograph i ca I scope ........................................................................................................... 5 

I . 6 .2 Content scope .................................................................................................................... 6 

I .6 .3 Time scope ........................................................................................................................ 6 

I . 7 Significance of the Study ..................................................................................................... 6 

I . 8 Conceptual Framework ........................................................................................................ 7 

CHAPTER TWO : REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ................................................. 9 

2.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 9 

2. I The effectiveness of the ombudsman office towards governance improvement in 

Rwanda ...................................................................................................................................... 9 

2. I . I Origin and Etymo I ogy ...................................................................................................... 9 

2. I .2 Why African States Deserve the Office of the Ombudsman in Their Public Services. I 0 

2.1.3 The Role and Effectiveness of the Ombudsman Institution ......................................... I 3 

2. I .3. I Expanded Protection of Citizen Rights ..................................................................................... 14 

vi 

2.1.3.2 Less Costly Resolution of Disputes ......................................................................... 14 

2.1.3.3 More Efficient Public Administration ..................................................................... 14 

2.1.3.4 Bridges the Gap between the Government and the Public ...................................... 15 

2.1.3.5 Cooperation Rather than Litigation ......................................................................... 15 

2.1.3.6 Increased Access to Dispute Resolution .................................................................. l6 

2.1.3.7 Citizen Complaint Management .............................................................................. 16 

2.1.3 Fundamental Powers of Ombudsmen Offices .............................................................. l7 

2.1.5 Function and Jurisdiction of the Ombudsman Office .................................................. 18 

2.1.6 Independence of the Ombudsman Office ..................................................................... 18 

2.1. 7 Government Cooperation with the Ombudsman Office ............................................... 19 

2.1.7.1 Maximize Public Access to the Ombudsman Office ................................................... 19 

2.1.7.2 Accountability of the Ombudsman Office ............................................................. 21 

2.1.7.3 Public Efforts against Corruption in Rwanda .......................................................... 21 

2.1.7.4 Anti-Corruption Measures and Institutions ............................................................ 22 

2.2 Challenges encountered by the ombudsman office ....................................................... 26 

2.2.1 Challenges of Enforcing Ombudsman Decisions .......................................................... 27 

2.3 Best approaches that can help the Ombudsman's office in addressing deficiencies in its 

operations ................................................................................................................................. 28 

2.3 .1 Prospects of the Future of the ombudsman Institution in African States and Their Public 

Services .................................................................................................................................... 29 

2.3.2 The Task/Mandate of the Ombudsman in Rwanda ...................................................... 31 

2.3.3 Declaration of Assets Unit of the Ombudsman Office in Rwanda .............................. 32 

2.3.4 The organization chart of the Office of the Ombttdsman Rwanda ............................... 33 

2.3.5 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 34 

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ........................................................ 37 

3.0 lntroduction ........................................................................................................................ 37 

3 .I Study Design ...................................................................................................................... 3 7 

3.2 Study Population ........................................................................................................... 37 

3.3 Sample Size ........................................................................................................................ 38 

3.3.1 Sample size determination .............................................................................................. 38 

3.4 Inclusion and Exclusion criteria ......................................................................................... 39 

3.4.1 Inclusion criteria ............................................................................................................. 39 

3.4.2 Exclusion criteria ............................................................................................................ 39 

3.5 Research procedure and instrument .......•........................................................................... 40 

3.5.1 Research Procedure ......................................................................................................... 40 

3.5.1.1 Training assistants ........................................................................................................ 40 

vii 

3.5.2 Data collection ................................................................................................................ 41 

3.6 Data analysis .................................................................................................................. 41 

3.7 Ethical Considerations .................................................................................................. 41 

3.8 Validity and Reliability oflnstruments ........................................................................ 42 

3.9 Limitations and Delimitations ...................................................................................... 42 

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION OF 

FINDINGS ............................................................................................................................... 43 

4.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 43 

4.1 Establishing the effectiveness of the ombudsman office towards governance improvement 

in Rwanda ................................................................................................................................ 45 

4.2 Challenges faced by the Office ........................................................................................ 46 

4.3 Respondents' Suggestions to the government for better working condition for the 

Ombudsman office ................................................................................................................... 46 

CHAPTER FIVE: DISUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF 

FINDINGS ................................................... : ................... : ....................................................... 47 

5.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 47 

5.1 Discussion of the Findings ............................................................................................ 47 

5.1.1 To establish the effectiveness of the ombudsman office towards governance 

improvement in Rwanda .......................................................................................................... 47 

5.1.2 To find out challenges encountered by this office in its efforts to meet the objectives of 

its mandate ............................................................................................................................... 4 7 

5.1.3 To suggest best approaches that can help the Ombudsman's office in addressing 

deficiencies in its operations .................................................................................................... 48 

5.2 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................ 48 

5.2.1 Conclusion on the effectiveness of the ombudsman office towards governance 

improvement in Rwanda .......................................................................................................... 48 

5.2.2 Conclusion on challenges encounted by this office in its efforts to meet the objectives of 

its mandate ................................................... : ................. :.: ....................................................... 48 

5.2.3 Conclusion on best approaches that can help the Ombudsman's office in addressing 

deficiencies in its operations .................................................................................................... 49 

5.3 Recommendations .............................................................................................................. 49 

5.3.1 To establish the effectiveness of the ombudsman office towards governance 

improvement in Rwanda .......................................................................................................... 49 

5.3.2 To find out challenges encountered by this office in its efforts to meet the objectives of 

its mandate ............................................................................................................................... 49 

5.3.3 To suggest best approaches that can help the Ombudsman's office in addressing 

deficiencies in its operations .................................................................................................... 50 

5.4 Recommendations for the politicians ................................................................................. 50 

5.5 Best strategies to combat corruption: ................................................................................. 50 

5.6 Corruption consequences ................................................................................................... 51 

APPENDIX A : INFORMED CONSENT FORM ................................................................. 56 

APPENDIX B : QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PUBLIC SERVANTS ........................................ 57