UZABAKIRIHO HAKIZIMANA v. UBUSHINJACYAHA

UZABAKIRIHO HAKIZIMANA v. UBUSHINJACYAHA

The appellate court found no defect or insufficiency in the evidence relied upon by the lower courts. The medical report and the victim's consistent statements corroborated each other and established the offence. The alleged inconsistencies and failure to call certain defence witnesses did not undermine the...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RPAA 01291/2024/CA
Parties
Appellant: Uzabakiriho Hakizimana; Respondent: Ubushinjacyaha
Court
Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
28 November 2025
Case Number
RPAA 01291/2024/CA
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Final Appellate Judgment (court of Appeal)
Outcome
Appeal dismissed; conviction and sentence affirmed.
Legal Topics
Sexual Offences, Defilement, Evidence in Criminal Trials, Appeals
Source Language
rw
Criminal Law Sexual Offences Defilement Evidence in Criminal Trials Appeals

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Parties

Uzabakiriho Hakizimana

Appellant

Ubushinjacyaha

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Final Appellate Judgment (court of Appeal)

  1. 1 Whether the evidence relied upon to convict Uzabakiriho Hakizimana was defective or insufficient
  2. 2 Whether the lower courts erred by not hearing defence witnesses regarding alleged family disputes

Ratio Decidendi

The appellate court found no defect or insufficiency in the evidence relied upon by the lower courts. The medical report and the victim's consistent statements corroborated each other and established the offence. The alleged inconsistencies and failure to call certain defence witnesses did not undermine the conviction. The appeal was dismissed and the 20-year sentence upheld.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed; conviction and sentence affirmed.

Orders

  • The appeal by Uzabakiriho Hakizimana is dismissed as unfounded.
  • The High Court judgment RPA 00165/2021/HC/KIG of 12/11/2024 is affirmed in all respects.