UBUSHINJACYAHA v BIZUMUREMYI
- Citation
- RPA0595/13/HC/KIG
- Status
- Criminal
- Jurisdiction
- Rwanda
- Court
- High Court
- Decision
- 21 March 2014
- Posture
- Criminal Appeal / High Court Appellate Judgment
- Case number
- RPA0595/13/HC/KIG
More details
- Court
- High Court
- Decision
- 21 March 2014
- Posture
- Criminal Appeal / High Court Appellate Judgment
- Case number
- RPA0595/13/HC/KIG
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The evidence for defilement was insufficient due to doubts in the child's testimony and the medical report; thus, the accused must be acquitted. Although the accused admitted to drug use, he cannot be punished for it since only he appealed and the prosecution did not challenge the acquittal at first instance.
Court disposition
Appeal allowed in part; conviction for defilement overturned; conviction for drug use affirmed but no penalty imposed.
Orders
- Bizumuremyi Dady acquitted of defilement of a minor.
- Conviction for drug use (cannabis) affirmed but no penalty imposed.
- All costs to be borne by the State.
02
Material facts
Parties
Ubushinjacyaha
ProsecutionBizumuremyi Dady
Appellant/accused03
Procedural history
Posture
Criminal Appeal / High Court Appellate Judgment
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether the evidence was sufficient to convict Bizumuremyi Dady of defilement of a minor
- 02
Whether Bizumuremyi Dady could be convicted for drug use after acquittal at first instance when only he appealed
Party arguments
- Applicant
- Bizumuremyi Dady argued he did not commit defilement and only admitted to using cannabis.
- Respondent
- Prosecution argued the conviction for defilement should stand based on the child's testimony and medical report, and that his admission to drug use warranted conviction.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Article 165 of Law nº 30/2013 of 24/5/2013 on criminal procedure
Doubt benefits the accused; conviction requires evidence beyond reasonable doubt.
- 02
Article 186(3) of Law no 30/2012 of 24/5/2012 on criminal procedure
A higher court cannot increase the sentence or convict on a charge acquitted at first instance if only the accused appeals.
- 03
Article 110 of Law no 15/2004 of 12/6/2004 on evidence
Admission in court is binding on the party making it.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The evidence for defilement was insufficient due to doubts in the child's testimony and the medical report; thus, the accused must be acquitted. Although the accused admitted to drug use, he cannot be punished for it since only he appealed and the prosecution did not challenge the acquittal at first instance.
Obiter and limits
- A medical report that only shows minor injury without corroborating evidence is insufficient for conviction of defilement.
- A court cannot aggravate the legal situation of an appellant if only the accused appeals.
Court disposition
Appeal allowed in part; conviction for defilement overturned; conviction for drug use affirmed but no penalty imposed.
- Bizumuremyi Dady acquitted of defilement of a minor.
- Conviction for drug use (cannabis) affirmed but no penalty imposed.
- All costs to be borne by the State.
Source and reliance status
High Court · 21 March 2014
This page organises the available record for research. Confirm quotations, current status, and subsequent treatment against the official source before relying on the case.
Judgment reading view
Judgment text
The complete available source text.
High Court
Criminal· 21 March 2014
UBUSHINJACYAHA v BIZUMUREMYI
- Source: Amategeko - Section: Decisions (Judgements) - Date: 2014-03-21 - Case/document no.: RPA0595/13/HC/KIG - Collection: High Court
Text
Page 1
UBUSHINJACYAHA v. BIZUMUREMYI [Rwanda HIGH COURT – RPA0595/13/HC/KIG (Uwamariya, J.) 21 Werurwe, 2014] Amategeko mpanabyaha – Gusambanya umwana – Imvugo y’umwana yonyine n’inyandiko ya muganga iteye gushidikanya ntibyashingirwaho ngo bihamye umuntu icyaha– Itegeko ngenga no 01/2012/OL ryo kuwa 02/5/2012 rishyiraho igitabo cy’amategeko ahana, ingingo ya 190 na 191, Amategeko agenga imiburanishirize y’imanza z’inshinjabyaha – Kunywa ikiyobyabwenge cyo mu bwoko bw’urumogi – Kudahanirwa icyaha uregwa yagizweho umwere mu rwego rwa mbere mu gihe Ubushinjacyaha butajuriye kabone n’iyo yacyiyemerera mu bujurire – Itegeko ngenga no 01/2012/OL ryo kuwa 02/5/2012 rishyiraho igitabo cy’amategeko ahana amategeko ahana, ingingo ya 59, Itegeko no 30/2012 ryo kuwa 24/5/2012 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’inshinjabyaha, ingingo ya 186 igika cya 3 Amategeko agenga imiburanishirize y’imanza z’inshinjabyaha – Ibimenyetso bidashidikanywaho bihamya icyaha – Gushidikanya birengera ushinjwa – Itegeko nº 30/2013 ryo kuwa 24/5/2013 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’inshinjabyaha, ingingo ya 165 Imiterere y’ikibazo: Bizumuremyi Dady yakurikiranyweho icyaha cyo gusambanya umwana no kunywa ibiyobyabwenge byo mu bwoko bw’urumogi imbere y’Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge.Uru rukiko rwamuhamije icyaha cyo gusambanya umwana ariko rumugira umwere ku cyaha cyo kunywa ibiyobyabwenge byo mu bwoko
bw’urumogi maze ahanishwa igifungo cy’imyaka 15. Ntiyishimiye imikirize y’urubanza ajuririra mu Rukiko Rukuru asobanura ko impamvu ashingiraho ubujurire bwe ari uko icyaha yahamijwe ntacyo yakoze ahubwo ko yemera kunywa ikiyobyabwenge cy’urumogi.Ubushinjacyaha bwireguye buvugako urukiko rwamuhamya icyo cyaha yemera ndetse n’imikirize y’urubanza ku cyaha cyo gusambanya umwana ntihindurwe. Incamake y’icyemezo: Uregwa ahamwa n’icyaha cyo kunywa ibiyobyabwenge byo mu bwoko bw’urumogi ariko Urukiko ntirushobora kongera igihano yagenewe mu rwego rwa mbere kuko ushinjwa ariwe wajuriye wenyine. Imvugo y’umwana n’inyandiko ya muganga iteye gushidikanya ntibihagije kugirango bihamye umuntu icyaha kuko bitumvikana ukuntu umuntu mukuru yasambanya umwana akoresheje igitsina kugeza aho akugara gacika ariko muganga ntagire ikindi kimenyetso abona ku gitsina cy’umwana kigaragaza ko umwana yaba yarasambanyijwe kabone nubwo ubwo busambanyi yarabukorewe kera. Ubujurire bufite ishingiro. Ahamwa n’icyaha cyo kunywa ibiyobyabwenge ariko ntagomba kubihanirwa kuko ubushinjacyaha butajuriye Uregwa agizwe umwere ku cyaha cyo gusambana, Imikirize y’urubanza ihindutse mu ngingo zayo zose, Amagarama y’urubanza aherereye ku isanduku ya Leta
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Amategeko yashingiweho: Itegeko ngenga no 01/2012/OL ryo kuwa 02/5/2012 rishyiraho igitabo cy’amategeko ahana, ingingo ya 190 na 19 Itegeko ngenga no 01/2012/OL ryo kuwa 02/5/2012 rishyiraho igitabo cy’amategeko ahana amategeko ahana, ingingo ya 59, Itegeko no 30/2012 ryo kuwa 24/5/2012 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’inshinjabyaha, ingingo ya 186 igika cya 3 Nta manza zifashishijwe. I.IMITERERE Y’URUBANZA [1] Mu rubanza RP 0294/13/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe n’urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge kuwa 19/7/2013, urukiko rwahamije Bizumuremyi Dady icyaha cyogusambanya umwana, agirwa umwere ku cyaha cyo kunywa ibiyobyambwenege byomu bwoko bw’urumogi, ahanishwa igifungo cy’imyaka 15. [2] Bizumuremyi ntiyishimiye imikirize y’urubanza arujurira mu Rukiko Rukuru.Asobanura ko impamvu ashingiraho ubujurire bwe aruko icyaha urukiko rwamuhamije ntacyo yakoze akaba yemera icyaha cy’urumogi kuko yari avuye kurugura. [3] Ubushinjacyaha bwiregura buvuga ko kuba yemera icyaha cyo kunywaibiyobyabwenge urukiko rwakimuhamya, n’imikirize y’urubanza ku cyaha cyogusambanya umwana nayo ntihindurwe kuko hari ibimenyetso bimuhamya koyasambanyije uyu mwana, ibihano yahawe akaba aribyo bigumaho kuko ubushinjacyaha butajuriye. Ikigomba gusuzumwa muri uru rubanza, nukumenya niba Urukiko Rukuru rwahamya Bizumuremyi Dady icyaha cyo kunywa ibiyobyabwenge yemera mu bujurire yarakigizweho umwere ku rwego rwa mbere,
no kumenya niba hari ibimenyetso bifatika bimuhamya icyaha cyo gusambanya umwana. II. IBIBAZO BIRI MU RUBANZA N’ISESENGURWA RYABYO Kumenya niba Urukiko Rukuru rwahamya Bizumuremyi Dady icyaha cyo kunywa ibiyobyabwenge yemera mu bujurire yarakigizweho umwere ku rwego rwa mbere. [4] Bizumuremyi Dady asobanura ko yemera icyaha cyo kunywa ibiyobyabwenge byo mu bwoko bw’urumogi kuko yavuye mu rugo arirwo agiye kugura kwa Mukamusoni ariwe mama Josiane.
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[5] Kuri iyi ngingo ubushinjacyaha bwiregura buvuga ko nubwo butajuriye urukikorushingiye ku kwemera kwe urukiko rwakimuhamya. [6] Ingingo ya 110 y’itegeko nO 15/2004 ryo kuwa 12/86/2004 ryerekeye ibimenyetso mumanza n’itangwa ryabyo ivuga ko amagambo umuburanyi cyangwa umuhagarariye avugira mu rukiko agira ibyo yemera atsindisha uwayavuze. Kuba Bizumuremyi Dady yemera icyaha cyo kunywa ibiyobyabwenge byo mu bwoko bw’urumogi, urukiko rushingiye ku biteganywa n’iyi ngingo, kiramuhama. [7] Uburyo iki cyaha cyakozwemo ni ubuteganywa n’ingingo ya 593 n’iya 594 z’itegeko ngenga nO 01/2012/OL ryo kuwa 02/5/2012 rishyiraho amategeko ahana1. Ariko nkuko ubushinjacyaha bubisaba akaba ari nta gihano kigomba gutangwa, ibyo urukiko rukabishingira ku ngingo ya 186 igika cya 3 y’itegeko no 30/2012 ryo kuwa 24/5/2012 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’inshinjabyaha ivuga ko iyo ushinjwa ariwe wajuriye wenyine urukiko rudashobora kongera igihano yari yagenewe mu rwego rwa mbere. Kumenya niba hari ibimenyetso bifatika bihamya Bizumuremyi Dady icyaha cyo gusambanya umwana. [8] Bizumuremyi Dady kandi avuga ko yajuriye kubera ko urukiko rwamuhamije icyaha cyo kuba yarasambanyije umwana kandi ntacyo yakoze cyangwa ngo anagitekereze. Avuga ko icyo cyaha yakigeretsweho na nyina w’uwo mwana aho yari agiye kugura urumogi yafatanwe, kuko yari amaze iminsi amusaba amafaranga nawe akamubwirako n’urugo
rwe ruba ruyakeneye. [9] Ubushinjacyaha bwiregura buvuga ko mu mikirize y’urubanza igika cya gatandatu urukiko rugaragaza ko rwasuzumye icyemezo cya muganga rugasanga kigaragaza ko akarangabusugi k’umwana kangiritse, bityo urukiko rukaba rwakwemeza ko impamvu z’ubujurire za Bizumuremyi zidafite ishingiro, igihano yahawe kikaba cyagumishwaho. [10] Kuba nyina w’umwana Mukankusi Goretti avuga ko umwana yamubwiye ko Bizumuremyi yamusambanyije kera akoresheje igitsina cye, expertise medical yo ikagaragaza ko igitsina cy’umwana nta kindi kibazo gihari uretse ku kugarara (hymen) muganga yemeje ko kacitseho akantu gato, urukiko rurasanga hari ugushidikanya ku kuba Bizumuremyi Dady yarasambanyije uyu mwana kuko imvugo y’umwana yonyine ntihagije n’inyandiko ya muganga iteye gushidikanya kuko bitumvikana ukuntu umuntu mukuru yasambanya umwana akoresheje igitsina kugeza aho akugara gacika ariko muganga ntagire ikindi kimenyeto abona ku gitsina cy’umwana kigaragza ko umwana yaba yarasambanyijwe kabone nubwo ubwo busambanyi yaba yarabukorewe kera. [11] Ingingo ya 165 y’itegeko nº 30/2013 ryo kuwa 24/5/2013 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’inshinjabyaha ivuga ko gushidikanya birengera ushinjwa, ko iyo urubanza rwakurikiranywe mu buryo bwose, ntihagire ibimenyetso nyakuri biboneka byemeza nta shiti abacamanza ko ushinjwa yakoze icyaha koko, bagomba kwemeza ko atsinze. Kuba rero hari 1 Ingingo ya 593 ivuzwe, igika cya mbere cyayo giteganya ko guhinga, gukora, guhindura kugurisha , gutunda, kubika no kunywa ibiyobyabwenge bibujijwe uretse mu bihe no mu buryo bwagenwe n’itegeko, naho ingingo ya 594 igateganya ibihano biteganyijwe kuri inbi bikorwa.
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ugushidikanya ku bimenyetso ubushinjacyaha bwatanze nkuko urukiko rwabigaragaje mu gika kibanziriza iki, urukiko rurasanga Bizumuremyi agomga kugirwa umwere kuri iki cyaha. III. ICYEMEZO CY’URUKIKO [12] Rwemeje ko ubujurire bwa Bizumuremyi Dady bufite ishingiro. [13] Rwemeje ko ahamwa n’icyaha cyo kunywa ibiyobyabwenge ariko akaba atagombakugihanirwa kuko ubushinjacyaha butajuriye. [14] Rwemeje ko Bizumuremyi Dady agizwe umwere ku cyaha cyo gusambanya umwana. [15] Rwemeje ko imikirize y’urubanza RP 0294/13/TGI/NYGE rwajuririwe ihindutse mu ngingo zayo zose. [16] Rutegetse ko amagarama y’urubanza ahererezwa ku isanduku ya Leta .
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