EXPOSED: The RTDA Extortion and Bribery Syndicate in AfDB-funded Road Project
Support our newsroom by MAKING A CONTRIBUTION HERE

A 51.54km road project in Northern Rwanda may have improved the lives of thousands, but has also destroyed the livelihoods of many others. On the same project, expropriations were done. However, when it came to payments, the level of impunity witnessed there is shocking.
Our investigation, done in collaboration with Radio Ishingiro based in Gicumbi district, has uncovered dirty schemes involving officials of the Road Transport Development Authority (RTDA). Some people on the road’s route were compensated much less than the value of their property, others got more than the value, while some have never received any single cent. In all these cases, though, the common denominator was illegal brokers known as Commisionaires and corruption.
Muzungu Banganirubusa Wenceslas, had houses and two plots of land in Ruyaga trading center located in Gacurabwenge cell, Byumva sector. RTDA valuation put his property at Rwf 42m, a process which was done in 2016 for many others like Muzungu. He was not given any official document showing the valuations. He shared with us personal handwritten notes about what transpired.
Four years later, in March 2019, he received a phonecall in which the caller inquired if it was Muzungu speaking. The caller reminded Muzungu of his property valuation code number. All details spelled by the caller were those of Muzungu.
At that point, according to Muzungu, the caller asked for Rwf 5m cash in order to quickly process the payment of his Rwf 42m compensation. “I was shocked and asked to meet the caller but he refused,” said Muzungu during our interview.
After a few days, the same caller phoned again, this time asking that Muzungu avail Rwf 100,000 immediately so that he can get his compensation money. Despite Muzungu insisting they meet first, the caller refused still. Muzungu, again, was smart enough not to pay.
A few days later, still in March, a woman who was his neighbor phoned him at 7pm, asking that they meet at the Gicumbi district headquarters, to sign for his compensation money. While there, Muzungu was taken into a room where they found Munyaneza Thaddée, the official RTDA valuer for that road project.
Muzungu was given a paper to put his Thumb Print (Igikumwe). The paper was written on Rwf 18m, which Muzungu was told is the total amount of compensation he was to receive for his property.
“I hesitated to put my Thumb Print because the money was less than the Rwf 42m I was supposed to get, but they told me to sign and that the rest of the money would come later,” narrated Muzungu.
Days later, Muzungu received notification for arrival of Rwf 18m on his bank account. He has waited in vein for his balance and attempts to engage RDTA and district officials have fallen on deaf ears. Each office sends him to another office.
RTDA official repeatedly cited

Identified by both names by some victims, and just as “Thaddée”, the mention of him kept coming up in the narrations of different people who affirm they were short-changed on their compensation money.
A woman Kankundiye Leokadia, from Rubyiniro village, Gacurabwenge cell, Byumba sector, had three pieces of land whose total valuation done by RTDA in 2016, was about Rwf 79m. The land had houses and other personal property.
Also, like case of Muzungu highlighted above, Kankundiye also began receiving phonecalls in March 2019, of people asking her to pay them money if she needed her compensation to be successful.
She said: “They knew all details about the compensation I was to get including plot numbers and amounts of money. I was frightened they will kill me once the money comes. I refused sharing my money. The property is mine, how could I share.”
Around the same period, Kankundiye was also called around 11am by Munyaneza Thaddée, the RTDA official, who told her to Thumb Print on a document which had a total of Rwf 51m. There were other people in the room, who seemed so much involved in the racket.
“When I protested, Thaddée told me that the first valuation had been done by young people on internship and had been declared invalid,” said Kankundiye, of what happened on that day. “The other reason they gave me was that the demolitions would not reach our houses. Yet, when construction of the road started, our houses were demolished.”
Kankundiye says ever since losing their property which was bringing them good income allowing her family to live a good life, they currently live in misery. She petitioned the Gicumbi district mayor Ndayambaje Felix about her compensation woes, to which he also responded that she was supposed to be paid the original compensation of Rwf 79m.
Our investigation also found that different other people received phonecalls of people demanding bribes, and then finally met the RTDA official Munyaneza Thaddée.
We have since established that Munyaneza, though directly handling valuations and compensations for the Base-Rukomo road, his official title within RTDA is “Road Construction/Rehabilitation Specialist”.
When all the allegations were put to Munyaneza Thaddée, he was very dismissive. He said whoever didn’t like the RTDA valuation, they were legally allowed to seek a private valuer and present the findings to RTDA.
“They accepted the valuation which we presented to them and they signed. How then can they claim they were paid different amounts, unless if they are suggesting they were forced to sign, which didn’t happened,” said Munyaneza.
As to whether he did have Commissionaires phoning people, Munyaneza said: “If there were such commissionaires, I have nothing to do with them. It is good for you media to ask any questions, but you also have to judge what people tell you before you ask.”
No clear number of who was to be compensated
The Base-Rukomo road was funded by the African Development Bank to a tune of $52m and construction was done by Chinese contractor China Henan International Cooperation Group (CHICO). Construction was supposed to be completed in October 2019.
The above cited cases of under-valuation for compensation and callers seeking bribes, is only the tip of the iceberg. These allegations have been raised in previous media reports. However, it is the first time that names of those involved have been identified by our probe.
While some were underpaid in the final settlement, others, as we found out, had their compensation undervalued at first and then increased later. There is no clear number of people who were supposed to be compensated. Some, whom we interviewed, did not meet any valuers.

According to a report on RTDA site, a total of 115 people in the sectors of Kageyo, Nyankenke, Byumba and Miyove, were adequately compensated in November 2015.
In one case, a man in Kageyo sector narrated that the initial valuation of his property was Rwf 9m. He was approached by “Commissionaires” (brokers) who put it to him that if he agreed to give them Rwf 1m, the valuation would increase to Rwf 17m. He paid the Commissionaires an advance of Rwf 400,000 in cash.
He said: “Immediately the money reached my account, the Commissionaire phoned me. I went to the bank in Rukomo and withdrew their balance of Rwf 600,000.”
There are also cases of people who completely refused to accept the compensation. Sindambiwe David, from Rubyiniro village, Gacurabwenge cell, Byumba sector, received an initial valuation of Rwf 20m for his property which he refused. Shockingly, the RTDA officials returned later and told him that actually the valuation was now Rwf 11m.
Sindambiwe even got to a point of reporting his case to a parliamentary delegation which visited the area. He claims that a private valuer put the full cost of his property at Rwf 45m. Up to this day, he has received no single cent, and the house he lives in is severely damaged due to road construction works.
“Every time I raise my issue with district authorities, they tell me they are still consolidating all compensation claims. I have nowhere to go, yet my house is nearly collapsing on us,” he said.
In addition to serious issues in the expropriation process, there are noticeably poor constructions on the road. In many areas, flood water trenches were directed in farmlands and residential areas – which recently led to landslides, forcing affected communities to seek emergency shelter. We also found out that because flood water trenches are not covered, an old man Ntaganda Gervais, from Gashirwe village, died after falling in one of the trenches. Many people have been injured.
In some areas, the contractor was supposed to put climbing steps at spots with communities. The area is hilly, meaning the road had to be curved from hillsides. For communities to easily access the road, they need climbing steps. The highway is already falling apart in many areas.
Various issues arise from the impunity seen with this project; how come valuations were handled at night? Who else did Munyaneza Thaddée deal with in RTDA to conduct the elaborate schemes? Why were different valuations for compensation presented to property owners? How come people to be compensated were not given any official documents?
The people whose property was lost in thin air, have also lost hope of ever getting justice. We investigated this issue since February 2020, all this time trying to find people who speak about their ordeals. They are scared that coming out would negatively impact them.
By Athanase Munyarugendo
This story was done in collaboration with Radio Ishingiro, a community radio based in Gicumbi district, also covering Northern Province
My brother suggested I might like this blog. He was once totally right.
This publish truly made my day. You cann’t imagine simply how much time I
had spent for this info! Thank you!
A lot more so, the games run seamlessly on both desktop and mobile devices.
Feel free to visit my website :: https://Fnote.Net/Notes/6Ttwtl
I always used to study article in news papers but now as I am a user of net therefore from now I
am using net for posts, thanks to web.
A specialist board focuses on one business or sector or distinmct
types of jobs.
Feel free to surf tto my web-site: 밤일 알바
What’s up i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anywhere, when i read this paragraph i thought i could also make
comment due to this brilliant piece of writing.
Wonderful, what a blog it is! This weblog presents helpful information to us, keep it up.
где купить справку
I pay a visit everyday some sites and websites to read articles, except this webpage provides quality based posts.
It’s going to be end of mine day, but before finish I am reading this impressive post to increase my knowledge.
Ahaa, its good conversation regarding this paragraph at this place at this website, I have read all that, so
at this time me also commenting at this place.
hello there and thank you for your information – I have
definitely picked up anything new from right here.
I did however expertise some technical points
using this site, as I experienced to reload the site
lots of times previous to I could get it to load properly.
I had been wondering if your web host is OK?
Not that I am complaining, but slow loading instances times will very
frequently affect your placement in google and could damage your quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords.
Well I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for much more of your respective interesting
content. Ensure that you update this again very soon.
It’s going to be ending of mine day, however before
ending I am reading this enormous paragraph to improve my experience.
Piece of writing writing is also a fun, if you know then you can write otherwise it is difficult to write.
I visited multiple web pages but the audio quality for audio songs present at this website is actually excellent.
I’m gone to say to my little brother, that he should also pay a visit this
website on regular basis to take updated from most up-to-date information.
Hi there Dear, are you really visiting this website daily, if so after that you will definitely get good knowledge.
Hi friends, its enormous piece of writing about teachingand completely defined, keep it up all the time.
This design is steller! You obviously know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
I was pretty pleased to discover this site. I wanted to thank you for your time due to this wonderful read!! I definitely savored every bit of it and I have you book-marked to see new stuff on your web site.
Hello to every body, it’s my first go to see of this website; this web site
consists of remarkable and truly excellent data for visitors.
Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wanted to mention that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing on your feed and I hope you write again soon!
constantly i used to read smaller posts which also clear their motive, and that is also happening with this piece of writing which I am reading at this time.
Unquestionably consider that that you stated. Your favourite justification appeared to be at the internet the simplest thing to have in mind of. I say to you, I definitely get irked at the same time as folks consider concerns that they plainly do not realize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing with no need side effect , other people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thank you
Thank you for sharing your info. I truly appreciate your efforts and I am waiting for your next post thank you once again.
Howdy exceptional blog! Does running a blog like this take a massive amount work? I have virtually no expertise in computer programming but I was hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyways, if you have any suggestions or tips for new blog owners please share. I know this is off topic nevertheless I just had to ask. Thanks!
wonderful submit, very informative. I’m wondering why the other experts of this sector do not realize this. You should continue your writing. I am sure, you have a huge readers’ base already!
Hello would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re working with? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different internet browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a reasonable price? Kudos, I appreciate it!
It’s going to be finish of mine day, except before finish I am reading this wonderful article to increase my knowledge.
Wow, superb blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging glance easy. The entire glance of your site is fantastic, let alonesmartly as the content!
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
I am in fact thankful to the holder of this site who has shared this impressive post at here.
This is a good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere. Brief but very accurate information Thank you for sharing this one. A must read article!
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you! By the way, how can we communicate?
Greetings! I’ve been following your weblog for a long time now and finally got
the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Humble Tx!
Just wanted to tell you keep up the great job!
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
This is very interesting, You are an overly professional blogger. I have joined your feed and look ahead to in the hunt for more of your wonderful post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks
I was wondering if you ever considered changing the page layout of your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
Plz answer back as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from.
thank you
What’s up to every body, it’s my first go to see of this blog; this website includes awesome and truly fine data in favor of readers.
It’s very simple to find out any topic on net as compared to books, as I found this piece of writing at this site.
This post offers clear idea in favor of the new viewers of blogging, that truly how to do blogging and site-building.
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I don’t know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
I have been surfing online more than three hours nowadays, yet I never found any fascinating article like yours. It’s pretty value enough for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will probably be much more useful than ever before.
Hurrah! At last I got a weblog from where I know how to really take useful information regarding my study and knowledge.
I know this website offers quality dependent articles and other data, is there any other web site which offers such stuff in quality?
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this website. I’m hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now 😉
When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thank you!
You’ve made some decent points there. I looked on the web to learn more about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this site.
Первоклассный частный эромассаж Москва релакс спа
I’ve read several just right stuff here. Definitely value bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how so much attempt you put to create this sort of great informative site.
It’s really very difficult in this busy life to listen news on TV, so I only use internet for that purpose, and take the most up-to-date news.
Usually I do not read article on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very pressured me to take a look at and do so! Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thank you, quite great article.
Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your site, how can i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept
It’s very straightforward to find out any topic on net as compared to books, as I found this article at this web site.
Greetings from Florida! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to check out your website on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the knowledge you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, fantastic site!
Hi, its fastidious post concerning media
print, we all understand media is a wonderful source of information.
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently.
I am quite certain I will learn a lot of new stuff right here!
Best of luck for the next!
Hey there, You have performed an excellent job. I will definitely digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this site.
Do you have a spam issue on this website; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; many of us have created some nice methods and we are looking to swap strategies with other folks, why not shoot me an e-mail if interested.
Greetings I am so glad I found your website, I really found you by error, while I was researching on Askjeeve for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say many thanks for a marvelous post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the fantastic job.
Hi friends, nice post and good arguments commented here, I am truly enjoying by these.
I really like what you guys are usually up too. This kind of clever work and coverage!
Keep up the amazing works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to our blogroll.
This info is priceless. How can I find out more?
I know this web page gives quality depending articles or reviews and other material, is
there any other website which offers these things in quality?
It’s an remarkable post designed for all the internet viewers; they will get benefit from it I am sure.
Hello there, simply turned into aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I will appreciate for those who continue this in future. Lots of other folks will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Who needs tablets when you’ve got LEGO sets? The Taj Mahal can be
built with LEGO sets! check out these top-ranked lego sets Lego Friends sets
encourage role-play and friendship skills. Marty is a Lego fanatic.
He has been since he started playing. I’m amazed at
how his collection has grown.
Great post.
It’s remarkable in favor of me to have a website, which is helpful in favor of my knowledge. thanks admin
Today, while I was at work, my cousin stole my apple ipad and tested to see if it can survive a 30 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views.
I know this is completely off topic but I had to share
it with someone!
Hello there! This blog post could not be written much better!
Going through this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
He always kept preaching about this. I most certainly will forward
this information to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a very good read.
Thank you for sharing!
I am extremely inspired with your writing skills and alsowell as with the layout for your blog. Is this a paid subject or did you customize it yourself? Either way stay up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one these days..
Today, I went to the beach with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!
Good day! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
Can you tell us more about this? I’d want to find out
some additional information.
I was curious if you ever considered changing the structure
of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got
to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better.
Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two pictures.
Maybe you could space it out better?
Thanks for finally writing about > %blog_title% < Liked it!
Can I just say what a relief to discover an individual who really knows what they’re talking about on the net. You certainly understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people have to read this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised that you’re not more popular since you certainly have the gift.
When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thank you!
With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My site has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my authorization. Do you know any solutions to help protect against content from being ripped off? I’d truly appreciate it.
Heya excellent blog! Does running a blog like this take a lot of work? I have virtually no knowledge of programming but I was hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyway, if you have any recommendations or tips for new blog owners please share. I know this is off topic nevertheless I just had to ask. Cheers!