Rwanda Case Law

UBUSHINJACYAHA vs RUTUNGA

Court

High Court

Case number

RP/GEN 00011/2021/HC/HCCIC

Dr. Rutunga Venant was found criminally liable as an accomplice (icyitso) in genocide and extermination as a crime against humanity for knowingly requesting and bringing gendarmes who, together with interahamwe, killed Tutsi refugees and employees at ISAR-Rubona. The court found that his actions—requesting the gendarmes, facilitating their arrival, and failing to oppose or prevent the killings—constituted essential assistance, even though he did not personally kill or directly order the killings. The court rejected defenses based on non-retroactivity, absence from prior cases, and lack of dir…

Source excerpt

• Genocide
• Complicity in genocide
• Crimes against humanity
• Extradition
• Evidentiary law
• Command responsibility

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KAYIRANGA v. KOPERATIVE INDATWA KAYONZA

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RCOM 00004/2024/SC

The Supreme Court held that the Cooperative had no legal basis to seize and retain Kayiranga David's rice without compensation, as the relevant Ministerial Instructions did not grant such authority. The lower courts erred by failing to consider key evidence, including a signed agreement acknowledging the Cooperative's obligation to pay for 6,330 Kg of rice. The applicant's property rights were violated, and he is entitled to compensation for the rice and related damages.

Source excerpt

• Rice trade regulation
• Cooperative rights and obligations
• Property rights
• Compensation for unlawful seizure

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UBUSHINJACYAHA vs KIGENZA

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00019/2024/CA

The Court found that consistent and corroborated witness testimony established Kigenza Charles's presence and participation in the group that attacked and killed Hasangira Innocent. Under established legal principles, individual use of a weapon is not required for liability in group crimes. The appeal was dismissed for lack of merit.

Source excerpt

• Murder
• Joint criminal enterprise
• Evidentiary standards
• Appeals

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v HARERIMANA

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00120/2024/CA

The court found that Harerimana Edouard intentionally attempted to kill his wife by striking her on the head with a hoe, causing a 90% disability, and then fleeing the scene. The act constituted attempted murder, not mere assault. However, as this was his first offense, the sentence was reduced from 25 years to 12 years and 6 months imprisonment.

Source excerpt

• Attempted murder
• Mitigating circumstances
• Admission of guilt
• Sentencing

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RUSEKAMPUNZI v. MUVUNYI N’UNDI

Court

Commercial High Court

Case number

RCOMA 00448/2024/HCC

The Commercial High Court allowed the appeal, held the auction unlawful because the valuation was not contemporaneous and the notice was published contrary to instructions, and set the auction aside.

• Auction law
• Mortgage enforcement
• Procedural deadlines
• Valuation of property
• Notice requirements
• Auction-law

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RADIANT INSURANCE COMPANY LTD v MUKABERA

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RC 00005/2023/SC

The Supreme Court reversed a dependency-damages award, holding that a local authority certificate alone did not prove the claimant was actually supported by the deceased.

• Motor vehicle accident compensation
• Dependency damages
• Burden of proof
• Review for injustice
• Dependency-damages
• Motor-vehicle-accident-compensation

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BAGARAGAZA N’ABANDI v. SIRWA SARL

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RCOM 00001/2019/SC

The Supreme Court found a 1997 extraordinary shareholders’ meeting invalid, awarded the claimants share value, unpaid dividends, interest, and legal costs, and granted review for injustice.

• Validity of company resolutions
• Shareholder rights
• Dividends
• Limitation period
• Review for injustice
• Valuation of shares

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4Amsar v RRA (KINYA)

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RCOM A 0056/10/CS

The Supreme Court held that expenses not paid in the relevant fiscal year were not deductible from 2003 taxable income, and rejected generator depreciation as a deductible expense.

• Corporate income tax
• Deductible expenses
• Depreciation
• Fiscal year independence
• Tax-law
• Corporate-income-tax

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SANLAM AG PLC v MUKANDAYISENGA

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RC 00002/2023/SC

The Supreme Court held that motor-accident economic damages must use the BNR deposit rate, not the CBR, and ordered repayment of overpaid compensation.

• Motor vehicle accident compensation
• Calculation of deposit rate for damages
• Restitution of overpaid compensation
• Interest rates in damages awards
• Motor-vehicle-accident-compensation
• Deposit-rate

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PROSECUTION v TWAGIRAYEZU

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPA/GEN 00001/2024/CA

The Court of Appeal overturned an acquittal, rejected the alibi, and convicted Twagirayezu of genocide and extermination as a crime against humanity.

• Genocide
• Crimes against humanity
• Evidence
• Alibi
• Witness testimony
• Burden of proof

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