The Rwanda Football Federation is currently being rocked by acts of corruption. The Secretary General is suspended while the chairman of the competitions committee and the referee of the Rwamagan vs Nyagatare match are in custody for investigations.
The Rwandan Football Association (FERWAFA) is at the heart of a controversy. Members of the federation are suspected of corruption.
Falsification of match reports, the origin of the problem
It all goes back to June 8th after the second leg of the Second Division League quarter-final match between Muhanga and Rwamagana. This match was won by Rwamagana (2-1). With this victory, Rwamagana qualified for the semi-finals. In the first leg, Muhanga won at Rwamagana (0-1).
A few days after this match, Rwamagana received a letter signed by the Secretary General of FERWAFA, Henry Muhire, informing the team that they had cheated during the second leg. The team was therefore suspended. The team was accused by Muhanga of using player Mbanze Josue during the match while he was suspended for accumulating yellow cards. "Rwamagana City have been forfeited for using a suspended player with three yellow cards in their previous match against AS Muhanga," Muhire confirmed in a telephone interview with local media outlet, The New Times.
FERWAFA members suspended
Rwamagana subsequently lodged an appeal with FERWAFA. The team demanded the match report (Rwamagana vs Nyagatare) to prove that their player was in order. Henry Muhire, who was allegedly bribed by Muhanga to the tune of 12 million Rwandan francs, is said to have deleted the emails containing the reports of this match with the complicity of Felix Nzeyimana, chairman of the competitions committee. They then asked Tuyisenge Javan, who officiated the match, to make another report and to "mention that Mbanze Josué had received a yellow card so that there would be evidence. The referee who was also allegedly bribed agreed to do so."
Unfortunately they had all forgotten that technology had moved on. FEARWAFA did indeed call in the IT people and the deleted emails were found. These emails showed that the player in question had not been shown a yellow card, contrary to the referee's new report. There were then two different reports for the same match but written by the same referee. FERWAFA understood that there was corruption in this case. The Rwandan football authority then suspended its Secretary General and sacked the chairman of the competitions committee. It then reinstated Rwamagana. The team played its first semi-final match against Interforce. Rwamagana won (2-0). The return match is scheduled for Sunday 26 June. The winner of this double confrontation will play next season in the first division.
Today, 20th June 2022, FERWAFA has suspended Mr. Muhire Henri Brulart from his duties as General Secretary due to issues of accountability falling under the scope of his work.
Mrs.Delphine Uwanyiligira, the Legal commissioner will assume office on interim basis.
— Rwanda FA (@FERWAFA) June 20, 2022
Intervention of the Rwanda Bureau of Investigation (RIB)
The spokesperson of the Rwandan Bureau of Investigation Dr Murangira Thierry told Radio B&B Umwezi that they had been contacted by FERWAFA for a corruption case. RIB arrested Fléix Nzeyimana and Tuyisenge Javan. Dr Murangira said that an investigation was currently underway and that he could not release anything to the press until the investigation was completed.
Those involved in this case are facing serious consequences. Indeed, forgery and use of forgeries is punishable under Article 276 of the Rwandan Penal Code by 5 to 7 years imprisonment and a fine of 3 to 5 million Rwandan francs, or one of these penalties.
