Re NGENDAHAYO KABUYE (Fond)

Re NGENDAHAYO KABUYE (Fond)

The impugned provisions do not violate the constitutional principles of equality, non-discrimination, protection of the family, or the right to property. The distinctions made by the law are justified by the need to protect the surviving spouse, who has contributed to the acquisition of matrimonial property and...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RLR V.3-2023
Parties
Applicant: Ngendahayo Kabuye; Respondent: Republic of Rwanda
Court
Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
10 February 2023
Case Number
RS/INCONST/SPEC 00004/2021/SC
Procedural Posture
Constitutional Petition / Final Judgment
Outcome
petition dismissed
Legal Topics
Equality Before the Law, Non Discrimination, Protection of the Family, Right to Property, Succession Rights, Surviving Spouse Rights
Source Language
rw
Constitutional Law Family Law Succession Law Equality Before the Law Non Discrimination Protection of the Family Right to Property Succession Rights +1 more

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Parties

Ngendahayo Kabuye

Applicant

Republic of Rwanda

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Constitutional Petition / Final Judgment

  1. 1 Whether Articles 8(2), 52(3), 75, and 76(1o) of Law Nº 27/2016 on management of matrimonial property, gifts and succession contravene Articles 15, 18, and 34 of the Constitution of Rwanda (as revised in 2015)

Ratio Decidendi

The impugned provisions do not violate the constitutional principles of equality, non-discrimination, protection of the family, or the right to property. The distinctions made by the law are justified by the need to protect the surviving spouse, who has contributed to the acquisition of matrimonial property and assumes sole responsibility for the family after the spouse's death. Succession rights of other heirs arise only when succession opens, and the law provides mechanisms to protect their interests. There is no unconstitutional deprivation or discrimination.

Court Disposition

petition dismissed

Orders

  • The petition by Ngendahayo Kabuye is dismissed for lack of merit.
  • Articles 8(2), 52(3), 75, and 76(1o) of Law Nº 27/2016 are declared not to contravene Articles 15, 18, or 34 of the Constitution of Rwanda.