Rwanda Case Law

RLR V.1 - 2026

Court

Supreme Court

RNC is a terrorist group as established by prior judgments and its acts; thus, prosecution for membership of a terrorist group did not require Prosecutor General's authorization. The acts of the accused constitute completed membership of a terrorist group, not attempt, as they consented and took steps to join. Attempt does not apply to this offence. The conviction of Haragirimana was based on credible evidence, including corroborated statements. The offences of joining an irregular armed group and membership of a terrorist group cannot be cumulated; only the latter is retained. Sentences were…

Source excerpt

• Terrorism
• Membership of terrorist group
• Irregular armed groups
• Attempt and completion of offence
• Procedural objections

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v NKUNDABOSE

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPA/GEN 00002/2021/CA

The Court of Appeal upheld Nkundabose Sébastien’s conviction for membership in a terrorist organization, rejecting his duress defense and leaving the 15-year sentence unchanged.

• Membership in terrorist organization
• Duress as defense
• Sentencing
• Appeals procedure
• Criminal-law
• Counter-terrorism

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v MUTIGANDA N’ABANDI

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPA 00103/2021/CA

The Court found that RNC is a terrorist group as established by prior judgments and its conduct. The accused's actions constituted full membership in a terrorist group, not mere attempt, as they had accepted and taken steps to join. Procedural objections regarding prosecution authority were dismissed as inapplicable to terrorist group charges. The evidence, including investigative confessions and corroborating statements, was sufficient. The offences of joining an unlawful armed group and a terrorist group cannot be cumulated; only the terrorist group offence stands. The sentence of 15 years'…

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• Terrorism
• Membership in terrorist organization
• Procedural law
• Evidentiary law
• Sentencing

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PROSECUTION v. MUTIGANDA ET AL.

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPA 00103/2021/CA

The accused were properly prosecuted and convicted for membership of a terrorist group, as RNC is judicially recognized as such; Prosecutor General's authorization is not required for terrorism charges; offences of joining an irregular armed group and membership of a terrorist group cannot be cumulated; mere consent or preparatory acts suffice to consummate the offence; admissions not consistently maintained do not warrant further mitigation; sentences imposed are proportionate and not subject to suspension.

Source excerpt

• Terrorism
• Membership of terrorist group
• Irregular armed group
• Criminal procedure
• Prosecutorial competence
• Sentence mitigation

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PROSECUTION v. MUTIGANDA ET AL.

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPA 00103/2021/CA

The accused were properly prosecuted for membership of a terrorist group, as the RNC military wing is judicially recognized as a terrorist organization. Authorization from the Prosecutor General was not required for this offence. The offences of joining an irregular armed group and membership of a terrorist group cannot be cumulated; only the latter applies. The evidence, including admissions and corroborating statements, was sufficient to convict. The acts of the accused constituted consummated offences, not attempts, as consent to join suffices. Sentence mitigation was already applied; furt…

Source excerpt

• Terrorism
• Membership of terrorist group
• Irregular armed group
• Criminal procedure
• Attempt
• Sentence mitigation

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