Alert Over Governance Risks and Alleged Mismanagement Surrounding the SIGFP-BI Project
Today, King Umurundi Freedom Organization has decided to publish the findings of its investigations into ongoing irregularities within the Ministry of Public Finance that could compromise the proper use of an estimated thirty million U.S. dollars (USD 30,000,000), or lead to these funds being diverted from their intended purpose within public policy programs.
This investigation will be published in four parts in order to provide a gradual and comprehensive understanding of the facts uncovered, the mechanisms identified, and the institutional and financial implications associated with this matter.
The organization states that it has conducted investigations into alleged governance failures and risks of mismanagement in the administration of public finances within the Ministry of Finance.
According to the findings, nearly USD 30 million allocated under the SIGFP-BI project, financed through the World Bank’s PAFEN program, may be exposed to risks of misuse, misallocation, or utilization for purposes inconsistent with the project’s original objectives, particularly through mechanisms linked to the management and awarding of public procurement contracts.
The analysis points to the local company MEDIABOX, led by Mr. Donatien NDAYISHIMIYE, who is also the head of the media outlet IKIRIHO and is reportedly considered a close collaborator of the National Intelligence Service, as well as other actors involved in public procurement management within the Ministry of Finance.
Our investigations will also examine the strategies and mechanisms that may have enabled Mr. Donatien NDAYISHIMIYE to exercise significant influence over the awarding of information technology-related public contracts within the Ministry. One question remains: for what purpose?
According to information gathered, mechanisms of control and influence over government financial management information systems appear to have been established, particularly with the objective of influencing the awarding of contracts related to information technology and public financial management.
To better understand the current situation, it is important to briefly revisit the publications issued by our organization in 2023 regarding the dispute between ASYST and MEDIABOX, a conflict that ultimately led to the arrest of ASYST’s managing director.
Since 2010, the Ministry of Finance has relied on SIGEFI (Integrated State Financial Management System), developed by the company ASYST. This software serves as a central tool for government budget management and is used notably to monitor public expenditures and process the salaries of public servants.
As part of the reforms introduced in 2023, including the Program Budgeting framework and the Annual Work Plan and Budget (PTBA), ASYST was expected to integrate new functionalities into SIGEFI for an estimated amount of one billion Burundian francs (BIF 1,000,000,000).
However, the company reportedly made its intervention conditional upon the prior settlement of an outstanding government debt estimated at two billion Burundian francs (BIF 2,000,000,000).
According to the investigation, tensions began during the tenure of former Minister of Finance Mr. Audace NIYONZIMA. He reportedly sought to challenge the continued use of the software developed by ASYST amid concerns regarding the traceability of financial flows estimated at more than 32 billion Burundian francs, linked to previous operations within the Burundi Revenue Authority (OBR) during his leadership of that institution, as our organization had previously highlighted in alerts published in 2023.
The investigation reveals a struggle for influence surrounding control of the PTBA project and information technology procurement contracts, notably involving Mr. Donatien NDAYISHIMIYE and Mr. Amedée BWIMBA, the head of ASYST.
It was in this context that Mr. Amedée BWIMBA was reportedly arrested in 2023 with the support of Mr. Audifax NIYONZIMA, then head of the Economic Department within the National Intelligence Service.
According to information collected by our organization, Mr. BWIMBA was allegedly held incommunicado for nearly three months at the headquarters of the National Intelligence Service before being transferred to Gitega Central Prison, following public alerts issued by our organization regarding detention conditions that were considered alarming and inhumane.
According to the findings of our investigation, this situation appears to be linked to conflicts of interest and tensions surrounding the awarding of public contracts, aimed at excluding certain service providers operating in the financial information systems sector.
Following numerous public denunciations, Mr. Amedée BWIMBA was eventually released.
Information regarding Mr. BWIMBA’s arrest had already been made public by King Umurundi Freedom through previous alerts and publications.
The organization had notably raised concerns regarding his arrest in the following publication:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AsuXKBrxj/
It had also detailed the alleged reasons behind his arrest:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18aEmUgQMG/
In addition, information concerning the objectives and interests of the various actors involved had also been published:
https://www.facebook.com/100083041343265/posts/293960660048643/?app=fbl
Subsequently, on 20 October 2023, Mr. BWIMBA was reportedly transferred to Gitega Central Prison. The organization states that it continued its advocacy efforts by calling for his release, arguing that the available evidence did not justify his detention.
On 31 May 2024, Mr. BWIMBA was finally released, as previously announced by the organization:
https://x.com/i/status/1796669881183555952
The organization announces that additional findings will be published in the forthcoming parts of this dossier concerning this alleged scandal involving the governance of public financial management systems.
This constitutes Part One of the investigation and serves as its general introduction.