Rwanda Case Law

UBUSHINJACYAHA vs. TUYAMBAZE

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00323/2023/CA

The conviction of Tuyambaze Donat for defilement of a minor was upheld because the evidence, including the victim's testimony, corroborating witness statements, and the medical report, was found to be consistent, sufficient, and not doubtful. The court found no merit in the arguments regarding the need for DNA testing or alleged uncertainty about the dates. However, the sentence was reduced from life imprisonment to fifteen years due to the accused's young age and first-offender status.

Source excerpt

• Defilement of a minor
• Burden and admissibility of evidence
• Sentencing
• Appeals procedure

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v NZAYISENGA

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00339/2024/CA

The Court of Appeal held that 192 cannabis packets, the accused’s admissions, and witness evidence proved trafficking, not mere possession, and dismissed the appeal.

• Drug trafficking
• Drug possession
• Sentencing
• Appeal procedure
• Drug-trafficking
• Drug-possession

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UBUSHINJACYAHA vs. NDINKABANDI

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00593/2022/CA

The Court of Appeal dismissed the prosecution’s objection and Ndinkabandi Védaste’s appeal, leaving intact the 20-year sentence for defilement of a 16-year-old.

• Appeal procedure
• Sentencing
• Mitigating circumstances
• Sexual offences against minors
• Criminal-appeal
• Mitigating-circumstances

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v SHUMBUSHO

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00345/2024/CA

The appellate court found that the lower court had already adequately considered the mitigating factors, including admission of guilt and youth, in reducing the sentence from life imprisonment to 15 years. Therefore, no further reduction was warranted.

Source excerpt

• Sentencing
• Mitigating circumstances
• Appeals
• Accomplice liability

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v NZABONIMANA

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00474/2023/CA

The Court of Appeal set aside a conviction for defilement of a minor, holding the evidence left reasonable doubt and ordering the defendant’s acquittal.

• Standard of proof
• Evidence in criminal trials
• Sexual offences
• Appeals
• Presumption of innocence
• Criminal-law

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v. TWAGIRUMUKIZA SIBOMANA

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00097/2024/CA

The Court of Appeal dismissed a criminal appeal seeking further sentence reduction and suspension, holding the High Court had already imposed the minimum lawful sentence.

• Sentencing
• Appeals
• Narcotics offences
• Criminal-sentencing
• Criminal-appeals
• Narcotics-offences

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UBUSHINJACYAHA vs. MUSHIMIYIMANA N’ABANDI

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00246/2023/CA

The Court of Appeal reduced two sentences for sexual offences against minors and lowered one co-accused’s sentence after reviewing mitigation, accomplice liability, and evidence issues.

• Defilement
• Sexual offences against minors
• Sentencing
• Mitigating circumstances
• Criminal procedure
• Criminal-law

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v. GASHAKABUHAKE

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00337/2022/CA

There was insufficient evidence to prove drug trafficking; possession of a significant quantity of cannabis in the respondent's home constituted the offence of possession of narcotics. The sentence was reduced due to mitigating circumstances, aligning with statutory minimums and recent comparable cases.

Source excerpt

• Drug offences
• Possession of narcotics
• Sentencing
• Appeal procedure

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v MUKANSANGA

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00290/2024/CA

The Court of Appeal upheld a 25-year sentence for murder, holding that mitigating factors do not automatically require a reduction because sentencing remains discretionary.

• Sentencing
• Mitigating circumstances
• Appeal
• Murder
• Criminal-law
• Mitigating-circumstances

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v NDIZIHIWE

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00296/2023/CA

The Court of Appeal acquitted NDIZIHIWE Fabrice and NYIRAVURIRO Lydie of murder, finding the evidence insufficient and applying the benefit of the doubt.

• Murder
• Accomplice liability
• Standard of proof
• Benefit of the doubt
• Damages for wrongful death
• Criminal-appeal

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