The Office of Ombudsman is an independent public institution which was established in 2003 by the Constitution of Republic of Rwanda of 4th June 2003 in article 182.  Its Organization and Functioning were established by law n° 25/2003 of 15th August 2003 which was modified and complemented by law n° 17/2005 of 18th August 2005. It became operational in 2004.

The Office of Ombudsman is assigned with the following attributions in order to reinforce good governance in both Public and Private institutions: 

  1. Acting as a link between the citizen, public and private institutions;
  2. Preventing and fighting injustice, corruption and  related offences in public and private institutions;
  3. Receiving and examining complaints from individuals and independent associations relating to acts of civil servants, state organs and private institutions;
  4. Receiving and examining the declared assets of high ranking government officials, senior civil servants and employees involved in public property and finance;
  5. Monitoring the leadership code of conduct;
  6. Coordinating national consultative council in charge of fighting corruption and related offences.