Rwanda:Renowned Minister Bamporiki suspended over corruption

By Jean d’Amour Mbonyinshuti

The President Paul Kagame on Thursday fired Edouard Bamporiki, the renowned Minister of State in charge of Youth and Culture due to suspected corruption allegations.

 According to the communique signed by the Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente on behalf of President Kagame, Bamporiki was relieved of his duties on Wednesday over matter related to accountability which was still under probe.

“Today, the 5^th May 2022, His Excellency the President has suspended Mr. Bamporiki Eduard from his duties as Minister of State in the Ministry of Youth and Culture owing to matters of accountability under investigations,” reads a communique.

News has it that the Minister Bamporiki was arrested together with a top City of Kigali leader while sharing a bribe of between 4 and 5 million Rwandan Francs in a Kigali city based Hotel.

The Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) said Bamboriki was under house arrest and it started investigations to ascertain the grounds of allegations.

Bamporiki who rose as a filmmaker and actor, became a super star and was part of the youth that were trained by the Rwanda Patriotic fronts in leadership that helped him rise on top government positions.

He served as a Member of Parliament before he was appointed the Chairman of Itorero Commission which trains Rwandans on values, culture and unity and reconciliation among others.

Until his arrest, Bamporiki was an outspoken leader with influence especially among the youth. He was appointed Minister of State in Charge of Youth and Culture in 2019.

He is much known for his rhetoric speeches that entertain other leaders during the high level meetings.