UBUSHINJACYAHA v. BUCYANAYANDI

UBUSHINJACYAHA v. BUCYANAYANDI

The Court of Appeal found that the supplementary judgment correcting the victim's birth record established she was 12 years and 6 months old at the time of the offence, confirming she was a minor. The conviction was based on consistent testimonies, medical reports, and corroborating evidence. Aggravating...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RPAA 00391/2021/CA
Parties
Applicant: Ubushinjacyaha; Respondent: Bucyanayandi Jean de Dieu; Respondent Advocate: Me Munini Patrick; Applicant Advocate: Ninahazwa Roselyne
Court
Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
17 April 2025
Case Number
RPAA 00391/2021/CA
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Final Appellate Judgment
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Defilement, Evidence, Sentencing, Child Protection
Source Language
rw
Criminal Law Defilement Evidence Sentencing Child Protection

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Parties

Ubushinjacyaha

Applicant

Bucyanayandi Jean de Dieu

Respondent

Me Munini Patrick

Respondent Advocate

Ninahazwa Roselyne

Applicant Advocate

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Final Appellate Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the victim was a minor at the time of the offence
  2. 2 Whether conviction was based on credible evidence
  3. 3 Whether sentence reduction was warranted

Ratio Decidendi

The Court of Appeal found that the supplementary judgment correcting the victim's birth record established she was 12 years and 6 months old at the time of the offence, confirming she was a minor. The conviction was based on consistent testimonies, medical reports, and corroborating evidence. Aggravating circumstances, including the victim's relationship to the accused and her young age, justified the life sentence, and no further reduction was warranted.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • The appeal by Bucyanayandi Jean de Dieu is dismissed as unfounded.
  • The High Court judgment RPA 00598/2019/HC/KIG remains unchanged.