UBUSHINJACYAHA v NKUNDABERA

UBUSHINJACYAHA v NKUNDABERA

The appellant's confession at the prosecution stage, corroborated by eyewitness testimony and consistent circumstantial evidence, established beyond reasonable doubt that he attempted to have sexual intercourse with a five-year-old child, constituting the offence of defilement under Rwandan law, regardless of the...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RPAA 01226/2024/CA
Parties
Prosecution: Ubushinjacyaha; Appellant: Nkundabera Vianney
Court
Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
29 September 2025
Case Number
RPAA 01226/2024/CA
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Court of Appeal Judgment
Outcome
Appeal dismissed; conviction and sentence affirmed.
Legal Topics
Sexual Offences Against Children, Evidentiary Value of Confession, Medical Evidence in Sexual Offences
Source Language
rw
Criminal Law Evidence Law Child Protection Sexual Offences Against Children Evidentiary Value of Confession Medical Evidence in Sexual Offences

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Parties

Ubushinjacyaha

Prosecution

Nkundabera Vianney

Appellant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Court of Appeal Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the High Court erred in finding Nkundabera Vianney guilty of defilement of a child
  2. 2 Whether the medical report contradicts the testimony of witnesses

Ratio Decidendi

The appellant's confession at the prosecution stage, corroborated by eyewitness testimony and consistent circumstantial evidence, established beyond reasonable doubt that he attempted to have sexual intercourse with a five-year-old child, constituting the offence of defilement under Rwandan law, regardless of the absence of physical injury in the medical report.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed; conviction and sentence affirmed.

Orders

  • The appeal of Nkundabera Vianney is dismissed as unfounded.
  • The judgment of the High Court, Rwamagana Chamber, case no. RPA 01303/2021/HC/RWG of 30/10/2024, is upheld.