EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd v. AB BANK RWANDA PLC N’UNDI

# EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd v. AB BANK RWANDA PLC N’UNDI

- Source: Amategeko - Section: Decisions (Judgements) - Date: 2024-11-15 - Case/document no.: RCOMAA 00029/2023/CA - Collection: Court of Appeal

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EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd v. AB BANK RWANDA PLC N’UNDI [Rwanda URUKIKO RW’UBUJURIRE – RCOMAA 00029/2023/CA (Ngagi, P.J.) 15 Ugushyingo 2024] Amategeko agenga ububasha bw’inkiko – Ububasha bw’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire – Kwakira ubujurire bwa kabiri – Izahura rya sosiyete – Agaciro k’ikiburanwa – Ubujurire bwa kabiri ntibwakirwa iyo ikiburanwa kidashobora kugenerwa agaciro mu mafaranga. Incamake y’ikibazo: EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd yatanze mu Rukiko rw’Ubucuruzi isaba itangiza ry’izahura ry’ubucuruzi bwayo no gushyiraho umucungamutungo w’agateganyo, ikavugako yatse inguzanyo mu bigo by’imari bitandukanye birimo SGB FUNDS Ltd na AB BANK RWANDA Ltd agamije kwagura ubucuruzi bwe, ariko agorwa no kwishyura mu gihe imyenda yari imaze kugera kuri 882,538,281 Frw, maze isaba urwo Rukiko kwemeza izahura, hagashyirwaho umucungamutungo w’agateganyo wafasha mu micungire ya Company no kwishyura imyenda y’abantu n’ibigo mu rwego rwo gukemura ibibazo by’imyenda ifitiye abandi ndetse n’abayifitiye imyenda. Urukiko rw’ubucuruzi rwaciye urubanza rwemeza ko ikirego cyayo kidafite ishingiro kuko nta mpamvu zumvikana zo kuzahura ubucuruzi bwa EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd kandi nta cyizere cy’uko mu gihe kizaza izashobora kwishyura imyenda igejeje igihe ifitiye abantu batandukanye. EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd yajuririye mu Rukiko Rukuru rw’Ubucuruzi ivuga ko Urukiko rw’ubucuruzi rwirengagije ko hari amafaranga angana na 114.402.210 Frw yaheze mu Bushinwa kandi agarutse yafasha EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd kuzahura ubucuruzi bwayo. Muri urwo rubanza hagobokamo abantu batandukanye bamwe bari ku ruhande rw’uko EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd yahabwa izahura, abandi ku ruhande rwuko itahabwa izahura. Urwo Rukiko rwemeje ko ubujurire budafite ishingiro ndetse nta gihindutse ku rubanza rujuririrwa. EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd yajuririye icyo cyemezo mu Rukiko rw’Ubujurire, mu gihe urubanza rwaburanishwaga mu mizi, SGB FUNDS Ltd na AB BANK Rwanda Ltd zitanga inzitizi y’iburabubasha bw’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire zivuga ko ikirego gisaba kuzahura ubucuruzi bwa sosiyete nta gaciro mu mafaranga kiba gifite, ko rero ubujurire bwa kabiri budashobora kwakirwa iyo ikiburanwa kidashobora kugenerwa agaciro. EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd ivuga ko Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rufite ububasha bwo kuburanisha iki kirego kuko ikiburanwa gifite agaciro karenze miliyoni mirongo irindwi n’eshanu (75,000,000 Frw) kuko agaciro k’ikiburanwa kagaragazwa n’umwenda usabirwa izahura ungana na 882,538,281 Frw ibereyemo abantu n’ibigo by’imari. Incamake y’icyemezo: Ubujurire bwa kabiri ntibwakirwa iyo ikiburanwa kidashobora kugenerwa agaciro mu mafaranga. Inzitizi y’iburabubasha bw’Urukiko ifite ishingiro. Amagarama ahwanye n’ibyakozwe mu rubanza.

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Amategeko yashingiweho: Itegeko Nº 30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 rigena ububasha bw’Inkiko, ingingo ya 52, igika cya 2 Imanza zifashishijwe: RCOMAA 00046/2020/CA; FARAJA HOTEL Ltd vs COGEBANQUE Plc rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’ubujurire ku wa 05/03/2021. RCOMAA 00025/2022/CA; RICHARDSTONE GENERAL TRADING Ltd vs COGEBANQUE Plc rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ku wa 04/11/2022. RCOMAA 00038/2023/CA; METAFOAM Ltd vs EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc na HABATU MINING COMPANY Ltd rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ku wa 19/10/2023.

Urubanza I. IMITERERE Y’URUBANZA [1] Uru rubanza rukomoka ku kirego EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd yatanze mu Rukiko rw’Ubucuruzi isaba itangiza ry’izahura ry’ubucuruzi bwayo no gushyiraho umucungamutungo w’agateganyo, aho yasobanuye ko ari sosiyeti ikora ibikoresho byo kubaka, ko mu rwego rwo kwagura ubucuruzi bwayo yagiye isaba inguzanyo mu bigo by'imari nka SGB FUNDS Ltd na AB BANK RWANDA Ltd ariko imikorere yayo ntiyagenda neza, kwishyura birayigora, ko imyenda yananiwe kwishyura igera kuri 882,538,281 Frw, maze isaba urwo Rukiko kwemeza izahura, hagashyirwaho umucungamutungo w’agateganyo wafasha mu micungire ya Company no kwishyura imyenda y’abantu n’ibigo mu rwego rwo gukemura ibibazo by’imyenda ifitiye abandi ndetse n’abayifitiye imyenda. [2] AB BANK RWANDA Plc yagobotse ku bushake muri urwo rubanza, isaba Urukiko kutemeza iryo tangiza ry’izahurwa EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd isaba ngo kuko ari amayeri irimo gukoresha kugira ngo itishyura abo ibereyemo imyenda. SGB FUND RWANDA nayo yagobotse ku bushake muri urwo rubanza, ivuga ko bigaragara ko EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd yahombye koko, ko kandi nta cyizere iyo sosiyeti itanga ko hari impamvu zumvikana zo kuzahura ubucuruzi bwayo ku buryo byagaragara ko mu gihe kizaza izubahiriza inshingano zo kwishyura imyenda igejeje igihe. [3] Byinshi Alexis nawe yagobotse muri urwo rubanza avuga ko EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd yashyirwa mu izahura kuko ari bwo buryo bwonyine abona bwatuma we yishyurwa umwenda we. [4] Mu rubanza RCOM 01502/2021/TC rwaciwe ku wa 28/04/2022, Urukiko rw’Ubucuruzi rwasanze nta mpamvu zumvikana zo kuzahura ubucuruzi bwa EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd kuko nta cyizere cy’uko mu gihe kizaza izashobora kwishyura imyenda igejeje igihe ifitiye abantu batandukanye, maze rwemeza ko ikirego cya EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd gisaba itangiza ry'izahura ry'ubucuruzi bwayo no gushyiraho umucungamutungo w'agateganyo nta shingiro gifite.

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[5] EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd yajuririye Urukiko Rukuru rw’Ubucuruzi ivuga ko Urukiko rw’Ubucuruzi rwirengagije ko amadorali 111.070 (111.070 USD) angana na 114.402.210 Frw yaheze mu Bushinwa agarutse yafasha EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd kuzahura ubucuruzi bwayo. [6] Kabahizi Illuminée yagobotse ku bushake muri urwo rubanza avuga ko EDECON CONSULTANT Ltd yakwemererwa izahurwa, kuko asanga ari bwo buryo bwonyine bwatuma ashobora kubona ubwishyu, cyane ko hari abandi baberewemo imyenda bifuza ko hatabaho izahurwa, ahubwo bo bakifuza ko bagurisha ingwate bahawe kugira ngo babone ubwishyu. Avuga kandi ko aberewemo umwenda wa 193,271,113 Frw kandi udafite ingwate, ko rero icyemezo cyafashwe mu Rukiko rw’Ubucuruzi kimubangamiye kuko EDECON CONSULTANT Ltd iramutse idashyizwe mu izahurwa, umutungo yatanze nk’ingwate ukagurishwa n’abandi baberewemo imyenda byatuma we atabona ubwishyu. [7] Mu rubanza RCOMA 00379/2022/HCC rwaciwe ku wa 20/04/2022, Urukiko Rukuru rw’Ubucuruzi rwemeje ko ubujurire bwa EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd nta shingiro bufite, ko urubanza RCOMA 00379/2022/HCC rwajuririwe rudahindutse. Rutegeka EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd kwishyura AB BANK RWANDA Plc amafaranga y’u Rwanda ibihumbi magana atandatu (600.000 Frw) y’igihembo cya Avoka n’ikurikiranarubanza. [8] EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd yajuririye uru Rukiko, ubujurire bwayo bwandikwa kuri RCOMAA 00029/2023/CA. Urubanza rwahamagajwe ku wa 04/11/2024, ariko ntirwaburanishwa kubera ko Umuyobozi wa EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd yari mu kiruhuko cy’uburwayi, iburanisha ryimurirwa ku wa 13/11/2024. [9] Ku wa 13/11/2024, urubaza rwaburanishijwe mu ruhame EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd ihagarariwe na Me Bayingana Janvier afatanije na Me Ndaruhutse Janvier, AB BANK RWANDA Plc ihagarariwe na Me Ndayisenga Jean Claude, SGB FUND RWANDA ihagarariwe na Me Nizeyimana Boniface, Byinshi John Alex na Kabahizi Illuminée batitabye kandi batagaragaje impamvu yatumye batitaba, urubanza ruburanishwa badahari, hasuzumwa inzitizi y’iburabubasha bw’uru Rukiko yatanzwe na SGB FUND RWANDA hamwe na AB BANK RWANDA Plc. II. ISESENGURA RY’IBIBAZO BIGIZE URUBANZA 1.Kumenya niba ikirego cy’ubujurire bwa kabiri gisaba izahura ry’ubucuruzi bwa EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd kiri mu bubasha bw’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire [10] Uhagarariye SGB FUND RWANDA avuga ko ikirego cy’ubujurire cyatanzwe na EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd kitagomba kwakirwa ngo kiburanishwe mu mizi, kuko nk’uko byatanzweho umurongo n’Urukiko rw'Ubujurire, ikirego gisaba kuzahura ubucuruzi bwa sosiyete nta gaciro mu mafaranga kiba gifite, ko rero ubujurire bwa kabiri budashobora kwakirwa iyo ikiburanwa kidashobora kugenerwa agaciro nk’uko byemejwe mu rubanza RCOMA 00038/2023/CA, rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ku wa 19/10/2023, METAFOAM Ltd iburana na EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc na HABATU MINING COMPANY Ltd, mu igika cya 16 no mu rubanza RCOMAA 00046/2020/CA, rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire ku wa 05/03/2021, haburana FARAJA HOTEL Ltd na COGEBANQUE Plc, mu gika cyarwo cya 17.

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[11] Uhagarariye AB BANK RWANDA Plc avuga ko yemeranywa na SGB FUND RWANDA ko ubujurire bwa EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd butari mu bubasha bw’uru Rukiko. [12] Abahagarariye EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd bavuga ko Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rufite ububasha bwo kuburanisha iki kirego kuko ikiburanwa gifite agaciro karenze miliyoni mirongo irindwi n’eshanu (75,000,000 Frw) nk’uko kagaragara muri kopi y’urubanza rujuririrwa mu gika cya 29, aho Urukiko ruvuga ko 114,402,210 Frw atariyo Urukiko rwashingiraho ruyemerera izahurwa, ko kandi agaciro k’ikiburanwa gashimangirwa n’umwenda usabirwa izahura ungana na 882,538,281 Frw EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd ibereyemo abantu n’ibigo by’imari. [13] Bavuga kandi ko Urukiko rw’Ubujurire bufite ububasha bashingiye ku rubanza RCAA 00002/2021/CA rwa Batsinda Camille na bagenzi be baburana na Bizimana Augustin, kuko uru Rukiko rwemeje ko atari ngombwa ko ikiburanwa kiba gifite agaciro kabazwe mu mafaranga mu kugena ububasha bw’uru Rukiko. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [14] Impaka kuri iyi nzitizi zishingiye ku kumenya niba umwenda EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd ibereyemo abantu n’ibigo by’imari ungana na 882,538,281 Frw n’umwenda yishyuza uhwanye na 114,402,210 Frw ari impamvu zituma ikirego cyayo gisaba izahura ry’ubucuruzi kiba mu bubasha bw’uru Rukiko. [15] Ingingo ya 52, igika cya 2, agace ka 8, y’Itegeko Nº 30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 rigena ububasha bw’Inkiko iteganya ibikurikira: “Urukiko rw’Ubujurire rufite ububasha bwo kuburanisha mu rwego rw’ubujurire bwa kabiri imanza zaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru, Urukiko Rukuru rw’Ubucuruzi n’Urukiko Rukuru rwa Gisirikare, iyo izo manza: 8º zagenwemo n’urukiko indishyi zingana nibura na 75.000.000 Frw cyangwa zifite agaciro kagenwe n’umucamanza mu gihe habaye impaka kangana na 75.000.000 Frw”. [16] Mu rubanza RCOMAA 00046/2020/CA rwaciwe ku wa 05/03/2021, haburana FARAJA HOTEL Ltd na COGEBANQUE Plc, uru Rukiko rwasobanuye ko ikiburanwa kijyanye no gusaba izahura ry’ubucuruzi cyaregewe na FARAJA Hotel Ltd guhera mu Rukiko rw’Ubucuruzi kidashobora kugenerwa agaciro mu buryo bw’amafaranga, kuko kidakwiye kwitiranwa n’umwenda urengeje 900.000.000 Frw FARAJA Hotel Ltd yemera ko ibereyemo COGEBANQUE Ltd, kuko COGEBANQUE Ltd yagobotse ku bushake mu rubanza itaje kuregera kwishyurwa, ko uwo mwenda nta mpaka wigeze uteza hagati y’ababuranyi mu rubanza ku nzego zabanjirije uru, ndetse hakaba nta n’Urukiko rwabanjirije uru rwigeze ruca urubanza kuri uwo mwenda, maze rwanzura ko inzitizi y’iburabubasha bushingiye ku gaciro k’ikiburanwa yatanzwe na COGEBANQUE Plc ifite ishingiro. [17] Urukiko rurasanga uyu murongo ari nawo uru Rukiko rwakurikije mu rubanza RCOMAA 00025/2022/CA1, aho rwemeje ko izahura ry’ubucuruzi RICHARDSTONE GENERAL TRADING Ltd isaba ridashobora kugenerwa agaciro mu mafaranga kandi rikaba ridakwiye

1 Reba urubanza No RCOMAA 00025/2022/CA rwaciwe ku wa 04/11/2022, haburana RICHARDSTONE GENERAL TRADING Ltd na COGEBANQUE Plc,

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kwitiranwa n’umwenda urenga 150.000.000 Frw RICHARDSTONE GENERAL TRADING Ltd ivuga ko ibereyemo COGEBANQUE Plc, ndetse no mu rubanza RCOMAA 00038/2023/CA2, aho uru Rukiko rwemeje ko izahura ry’ubucuruzi METAFOAM Ltd isaba ridashobora kugenerwa agaciro mu mafaranga kandi rikaba ridakwiye kwitiranwa n’umwenda METAFOAM Ltd ibereyemo EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc cyangwa agaciro k’ingwate zatanzwe nk’uko uhagarariye METAFOAM Ltd ashaka kubyumvikanisha. [18] Nk’uko byagaragajwe haruguru, EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd yatanze ikirego mu Rukiko rw’Ubucuruzi, irusaba itangiza ry'izahura ry'ubucuruzi bwayo no gushyiraho umucungamutungo w'agateganyo, hanyuma abaregwa kuri uru rwego barugobotsemo, badasaba kwishyurwa imyenda ibabereyemo, ahubwo bamwe basabaga ko izahura ritakwemerwa kuko itagaragaza icyizere ko hari impamvu zumvikana zo kuzahura ubucuruzi bwayo, abandi basaba ko hakorwa izahura kugira ngo nabo bazabashe kwishyurwa kuko nta ngwate bahawe. [19] Urukiko rurasanga, nk’uko byasobanuwe mu manza zibukijwe haruguru, izahura ntirishobora kugenerwa agaciro mu mafaranga kandi ntirikwiye kwitiranwa n’imyenda, usaba izahura aba afitiye abantu, ibigo by’imari cyangwa amabanki. Ibi bikaba byumvikanisha ko n’umwenda, usaba izahura afitiwe n’abandi bantu cyangwa ibigo atari wo ushingirwaho mu kugena ububasha bw’uru Rukiko mu gihe haregewe izahura ry’ubucuruzi, kuko uwo mwenda atari wo uba uburanwa. [20] Urukiko rurasanga, kuba umwenda EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd ibereyemo abantu n’ibigo by’imari atari wo uburanwa muri uru rubanza, ukaba utarigeze ugibwaho impaka mu manza zabanje, kuba EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd ivuga ko yishyuza umwenda uhwanye na 114,402,210 Frw kandi akaba atari wo waregewe, ukaba utaragiweho impaka mu mu manza zabanje, ahubwo hakaba haraburanwe ibijyanye n’izahura ry’ubucuruzi bwayo, birumvikana ko ibyo EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd ivuga ko ubujurire bwayo buri mu bubasha bw’uru Rukiko, kuko ifite umwenda ungana na 882,538,281 Frw, kandi ikaba yishyuza umwenda ungana na 114,402,210 Frw, nta shingiro bifite, kuko nk’uko byasobanuwe haruguru, izahura ry’ubucuruzi isaba ntirishobora kugenerwa agaciro mu mafaranga kandi ntirikwiye kwitiranwa n’umwenda EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd ibereyemo abantu n’ibigo by’imari cyangwa umwenda yishyuza abandi bantu cyangwa ibigo. [21] Ku byo abahagarariye EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd bavuga ko ubujurire bwabo buri mu bubasha bw’uru Rukiko, kuko mu rubanza RCAA 00002/2021/CA3 rwa Batsinda Camille na Bizimana Augustin, uru Rukiko rwemeje ko atari ngombwa ko ikiburanwa kiba gifite agaciro kabazwe mu mafaranga mu kugena ububasha bwarwo, turasanga muri urwo rubanza hararegewe gutesha agaciro icyemezo cy’ubukode burambye gifite UPI: 1/02/13/03/815 cyanditse kuri Bizimana Augustin na Mukamana Dancille, kikandikwa ku bazungura ba Butera Emile kandi rukaba rwaciwe mu mizi yarwo. Hakurikijwe ibikubiye muri urwo rubanza, Urukiko rurasanga abahagarariye EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd baruvugisha ibyo rutavuga, kuko urubanza bavuga rwaciwe mu mizi, nyamara muri uru rubanza hakaba hasuzumwa inzitizi y’iburabubasha bw’uru

2 Reba urubanza No RCOMAA 00038/2023/CA rwaciwe ku wa 19/10/2023, METAFOAM Ltd yaburanye na EQUITY BANK RWANDA Plc na HABATU MINING COMPANY Ltd. 3 Reba urubanza No RCAA 00002/2021/CA rwaciwe ku wa 03/03/2023, BATSINDA Camille, MUKANDOLI Marcelle na MUKABATSINDA Annonciata baburanye na BIZIMANA Augustin na KASINE Félicité.

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Rukiko. Byongeye kandi, icyaregewe mu rubanza bavuga, gitandukanye n’icyaregewe muri uru rubanza kijyanye no gusaba izahura ry’ubucuruzi; bityo nta mpamvu yo gushingira kuri urwo rubanza. [22] Hashingiwe ku bisobanuro byatanzwe haruguru, turasanga ubujurire bwa EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd butagomba kwakirwa, kuko butari mu bubasha bw’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire.

2.Kumenya niba SGB FUND RWANDA yagenerwa amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza n’igihembo cya Avoka isaba [23] Uhagarariye SGB FUND RWANDA avuga ko asaba Urukiko gutegeka EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd kwishyura SGB FUND amafaranga miliyoni imwe n’ibihumbi magana atanu (1,500,000 Frw) akubiyemo igihembo cya Avoka n'ikurikiranarubanza. [24] Abahagarariye EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd bavuga ko amafaranga SGB FUND RWANDA isaba idakwiye kuyahabwa. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [25] Ingingo ya 111 y’Itegeko N° 22/2018 ryo ku wa 28/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza mbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi iteganya ibikurikira: “Ikirego cy’amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza ni ikirego gishamikira ku kirego cy’iremezo kigamije kwishyuza ibyakoreshejwe mu rubanza. Ikirego cy’amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza kiburanishirizwa rimwe n’ikirego cy’iremezo. Gishobora kandi kwakirwa kikanaburanishwa n’iyo ikirego cy’iremezo cyaba kitakiriwe”. [26] Urukiko rurasanga, kuba EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd yarajuriye bwa kabiri muri uru Rukiko byaratumye SGB FUND RWANDA ishaka Avoka wo kuyiburanira kuri uru rwego, ikaba kandi hari ibyo yatakaje ikurikirana uru rubanza; bityo amafaranga y’igihembo cya Avoka n’ikurikiranarubanza isaba afite ishingiro, ariko ayo isaba ni menshi harebwe ko urubanza rugarukiye ku nzitizi, mu bushishozi bwarwo, rukaba rugeneye SGB FUND RWANDA ibihumbi magana atanu (500.000 Frw) y’igihembo cya Avoka n’ibihumbi magana abiri (200.000 Frw) y’ikurikiranarubanza, agomba gutangwa na EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd. III. ICYEMEZO CY’URUKIKO [27] Rwemeje ko inzitizi y’iburabubasha bw’uru Rukiko yatanzwe na SGB FUND RWANDA hamwe na AB BANK RWANDA Plc ifite ishingiro. [28] Rwemeje ko ubujurire bwa EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd butakiriwe, kuko butari mu bubasha bw’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire. [29] Rutegetse EDECON CONSULTANTS Ltd kwishyura SGB FUND RWANDA ibihumbi magana atanu (500.000 Frw) y’igihembo cya Avoka n’ibihumbi magana abiri (200.000 Frw) y’ikurikiranarubanza, kuri uru rwego. [30] Ruvuze ko amagarama yatanzwe ahwanye n’ibyakozwe mu rubanza.