Increased uptake of cyberspace and technology has led to challenges to administration of justice not just in Rwanda but across Africa.
To help judicial officers keep up with the nexus of technology and law, the AGA-Africa Programme collaborated with the Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD) on a highly engaging ‘Cryptocurrencies and Trade Based Money Laundering’ workshop held on 19th -20th April, 2023 in Nyanza, Rwanda.
The workshop brought together officers from Rwanda who are involved in trade based money laundering investigations and prosecutions, representatives from the Institute of Legal Practice, the Ministry of Justice of Rwanda and national and regional subject matter experts from Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda.
The workshop sessions were aimed at tooling participants to identify, investigate and prosecute trade based illicit activities, as well as foster inter-agency coordination and information sharing.
The workshop was officially opened by Doreen Murungi, Communication and Administrative Support, AGA-Africa Programme on behalf of Caroline Mbabazi, AGA-Africa Programme Country Coordinator for Rwanda.
Dr. Yves Sezirahiga, Vice Rector, Institute Legal Practice and Development, delivered the keynote address.
The sessions were facilitated by Kenneth Muhangi, Partner, KTA Advocates, Mercy Buku, Risk Management Consultant, Jimmy Haguna, Digital Forensic Investigator, Uganda Police Service and Alex Osunga, Cybersecurity Professional, iLabAfrica.
Dr. Yves Sezirahiga thanked the participants for attending as he brought the workshop to a close.
Workshop Outcomes
Through this workshop the participants:
- Gained an understanding of the risks trade based money laundering and cryptocurrency related crimes and the danger they pose in Rwanda.
- Were equipped with the necessary tools to effectively investigate trade transactions which are facilitated by money launderers and terrorist financiers.
- Gained insights on the current trends of illicit movement of funds across the borders of Rwanda.
