Ombudsman-Botswana

26/05/2026

Building Trust Through Community Dialogue – Maun Region

The Office of the Ombudsman - Maun, yesterday participated in a kgotla meeting hosted by Legal Aid Botswana at the Maun Main Kgotla.

The meeting brought together members of the public and various stakeholders, providing an important platform for dialogue and information sharing on public services available to residents.

During the engagement, the Office of the Ombudsman delivered a presentation aimed at sensitizing and familiarizing residents with its mandate and role in addressing complaints related to maladministration, unfair treatment, delays in service delivery, abuse of power and other concerns involving public institutions.

Following the kgotla meeting, the Ombudsman Office further extended its outreach efforts by setting up a stall at the venue to provide an opportunity for direct interaction between officers and members of the public in a more accessible setting. Officers attended to various enquiries, provided guidance on complaint procedures, and responded to issues raised by community members.

The interactive session allowed residents to openly discuss concerns affecting them while receiving immediate assistance and clarification from the Ombudsman team.

Through such community engagements, the Office of the Ombudsman continues to strengthen its relationship with the public while advancing its mission of fostering fairness, accountability and responsive public administration across Botswana.

12/05/2026

Ombudsman of Botswana signs Book for Condolences

The Ombudsman of Botswana, Stephen Tiroyakgosi, today visited Parliament of Botswana to sign the Book of Condolences following the passing of the 3rd President and former President of Botswana, Festus Gontebanye Mogae.

Former President Mogae will be remembered for his outstanding contribution to good governance, democracy, and the promotion of the rule of law in Botswana. His leadership and commitment to accountability and public service continue to resonate with the mandate and values upheld by the Office of the Ombudsman.

The Office of the Ombudsman extends its heartfelt condolences to the Mogae family, the nation, and all those affected by this great loss.

06/05/2026

THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN RELEASES REPORT ON INVESTIGATION INTO THE NATIONAL BLOOD DONATION AND TRANSFUSION SYSTEM

The Office of the Ombudsman has officially released its Final Report on the investigation into Botswana’s National Blood Donation and Transfusion System.

The report sets out the Ombudsman’s findings and recommendations aimed at strengthening the National Blood Donation and Transfusion System in the Public Interest.

Members of the Public are encouraged to access and read the full report by scanning the QR Code attached or following the link : (https://govbots-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/krampeethwane_govbots_onmicrosoft_com/IQCtdQJog6OPQ439ivqhvVdgAU6zG2NGx3gofgM1uMjnwuU?e=yW7qn9)

30/04/2026

Bringing Justice Closer: Office of the Ombudsman, Maun Engages Schools

As part of its continued Public Education Outreach, the Office of the Ombudsman today engaged students and staff at Maitlamo Junior Secondary School and Leapotswe International School in Maun.

The outreach provided an opportunity to highlight the Ombudsman’s role in promoting fairness and addressing maladministration in public institutions. Participants were also guided on the process of lodging complaints, empowering them with knowledge to stand up for their rights and seek redress when necessary.

23/04/2026

Objectives of the seminar

Particular attention is required in thematic areas that cut across all aspects of public administration, namely women’s rights, disability rights, and gender mainstreaming.

• Facilitate informed discussions on the implementation and practical implications of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2024, with particular emphasis on access to services and reasonable accommodation.
• Enhance staff understanding of disability etiquette and the barriers faced by persons with disabilities in accessing public services.
• Promote awareness of the protection of women’s rights in Botswana, including legal and policy frameworks supporting gender equality.
• Strengthen knowledge and practical application of gender mainstreaming as a cross-cutting strategy in organizational planning, decision-making, and service delivery.
• Address workplace gender inequalities and promote inclusive, respectful, and non-discriminatory institutional practices.

23/04/2026

As is imperative that members of staff are adequately capacitated to understand, apply, and uphold human rights principles in the ex*****on of their duties.

The office of the Ombudsman had invited to the seminar; the Director of National Disability Coordinating Office, Ms Peggy Garebaitse, the Chairperson of Botswana Federation of the Disabled together with the Executive Director of Cheshire Foundation and the President of Emang Basadi. Reverend Moruakgomo and the Director of Men and Boys for Gender Equality, Mr Desmond Lunga were also part of this entourage that further unpacked most of the aspects and all issues alike.

This engagement highlighted a shared national commitment to advancing human rights, promoting disability inclusion, and strengthening collaboration between institutions tasked with protecting the rights and dignity of all citizens. When addressing those in attendance of the Training on Disability Rights, Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, the Director of the Disability Coordination Office, Ms. Peggy Garebaitse shared that her Office’s mandate is to guide policy, coordinate implementation, and monitor progress on disability inclusion both nationally and internationally. This she said aligns closely with the Ombudsman’s role in promoting and safeguarding human rights, investigating complaints, and ensuring accountability across both public and private sector.

23/04/2026

Capacitating Members of staff on Issues of Disability Rights, Women’s Rights and Gender Equality

“The Ombudsman Act confers the Ombudsman with a direct human rights mandate to deal with violations of fundamental rights and freedoms as enshrined in our Constitution. The Office of the Ombudsman is now in a position to advance the human rights of all persons, including the disabled, the vulnerable and marginalized members of our society,” Advocate Stephen B. Tiroyakgosi, Ombudsman-Botswana officiated a seminar for his office on Disability Rights, Women’s Rights and Gender Equality which also involved engaging with key stakeholders.

He further outlined that in dealing with the human rights mandate, the Ombudsman will receive a complaints from an aggrieved persons and investigate. If satisfied that a violation of a fundamental right or freedom has occurred, the Ombudsman will make a recommendation and proposals for the rectification and reform of laws and policies and administrative practices to bring them in conformity with Botswana’s International human rights obligations.
If satisfied that a violation of a fundamental right or freedom has occurred, the Ombudsman will make a recommendation and proposals for the rectification and reform of laws and policies and administrative practices to bring them in conformity with Botswana’s international human rights obligations. The Ombudsman will be seen as responsive to the needs of the public by adopting a legalistic approach to resolving violations of human rights.

31/03/2026

19/03/2026

The Ministry of Finance: Economic & Financial Policy department, National Assembly, Botswana Banking Adjudicator, Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) were also visited for benchmarking.

19/03/2026

In his visit to Botswana the Tax-Ombudsman, Tanzania also had the opportunity to the National Assembly for Observation of the processes of the house.