Rwanda Case Law

BK GENERAL INSURANCE Co Ltd v IRAGUHA

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RC 00016/2024/SC

The Supreme Court held that the correct daily income for a motorcycle taxi operator is 6,444 Frw/day, the disability percentage is 56% as per the state hospital report, and the deposit rate to be used is 10.10% as published by BNR on the date of the High Court judgment. Only the calculation of economic damages was adjusted; all other awards from the High Court were upheld. Legal fees and follow-up costs were denied as the respondent was not entirely successful.

Source excerpt

• Calculation of damages
• Personal injury compensation
• Deposit rate application
• Assessment of disability
• Motorcycle taxi income estimation

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KAMPAYANA vs SANLAM/ALLIANZ GI Plc

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RC 00022/2024/SC

The Supreme Court held that no minimum time in employment is required for loss-of-earning-capacity damages and increased proven medical expenses and legal fees.

• Compensation for loss of earning capacity
• Personal injury
• Motor vehicle accident
• Calculation of damages
• Medical expenses
• Legal costs

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NSENGIYUMVA vs PRIME INSURANCE LTD

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RC 00025/2024/SC

The Supreme Court held that a passenger injured in an insured vehicle was a third party entitled to statutory compensation, and awarded damages based on minimum-wage rules.

• Compulsory motor vehicle insurance
• Third party compensation
• Calculation of damages
• Standing of passenger
• Application of presidential decree
• Burden of proof for income

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RADIANT vs CWINYAAI [

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RC 00024/2024/SC

The Supreme Court held that compensation for permanent disability below 30% must be calculated using the statutory minimum wage (SMIG) as per Presidential Order No. 31/01, Article 17. For loss of earning capacity, the Court found that Cwinyaai provided sufficient evidence of employment through a salary certificate, and that damages should be calculated based on his net salary. The lower court's awards were adjusted accordingly.

Source excerpt

• Personal injury compensation
• Permanent disability
• Loss of earning capacity
• Calculation of damages
• Burden of proof for employment
• Application of minimum wage (smig)

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IMANZA Z'UBWISHINGIZI ZACIWE N'URUKIKO RW'IKIRENGA (Insurance digest Supreme Court 2025)

Court

Supreme Court

Permanent disability from a traffic accident entitles the victim to economic loss and career prejudice compensation regardless of whether employment or income was lost, provided the disability is medically certified. Career prejudice compensation is not limited to those who lost jobs but extends to anyone whose professional prospects are diminished by the injury. Dependency claims by adults require proof of actual support and need. For self-employed or informal workers, damages are calculated on net income or sector benchmarks. Compulsory motor insurance does not cover workplace accidents, wh…

Source excerpt

• Personal injury compensation
• Permanent disability
• Economic loss
• Career prejudice
• Funeral expenses
• Dependency claims

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DP WORLD LOGISTIC Ltd v. RUTETINDA

Court

High Court

Case number

RSOCA00219/2023/HC/KIG

The High Court found that Rutetinda Chris was unlawfully dismissed because no formal performance evaluation was conducted at the end of his probation as required by the employment contract and law. However, damages must be calculated on the net salary, not gross salary, and limited to three months' net salary due to the short duration of employment. No additional compensation for lack of notice was due as the dismissal occurred during the probation period. Legal costs and attorney fees were partially awarded to both parties according to the outcome.

Source excerpt

• Unlawful termination
• Employment contract
• Compensation for unfair dismissal
• Probation period
• Calculation of damages

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LETA Y’U RWANDA (MINAGRI) v. ECOBANK RWANDA Plc

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RCOMAA00036/2022/CA

The Court of Appeal held that second-appeal jurisdiction depends on damages actually awarded below, not the amount claimed by the appellant.

• Jurisdiction of appellate courts
• Performance guarantees
• Advance payment guarantees
• Calculation of damages
• Settlement agreements
• Procedural bars to appeal

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ENGIN LTD v WASAC LTD

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RCOM 00001/2023/SC

The Supreme Court dismissed ENGIN Ltd’s review-for-injustice application, holding that issues not raised in the original case could not be introduced on review.

• Contractual penalties
• Public procurement disputes
• Calculation of damages
• Review for injustice
• Burden of proof
• Review-for-injustice

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MBARUSHIMANA v RADIANT INSURANCE COMPANY Ltd

Court

High Court

Case number

RCA 00116/2022/HC/KIG

Compensation for economic loss due to permanent disability below 30% must be calculated using the statutory minimum wage (SMIG) of 3,000 Frw per day, not the claimant's actual earnings, as mandated by Article 17 of Presidential Order No 31/01 of 25/08/2003 and confirmed by Supreme Court precedent. The appellant's arguments for higher damages and costs were either unfounded or raised out of time and thus dismissed.

Source excerpt

• Motor vehicle accident compensation
• Calculation of damages
• Minimum wage application
• Personal injury
• Appeals procedure

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AKIMANIZANYE N’ABANDI vs. NICE EGGS COMPANY Ltd N’UNDI [

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RS/INJUST/RSOC 00013/2022/CA

Only the widow and children of the deceased, who properly exhausted appeal procedures, have standing to seek extraordinary review and are entitled to compensation. Compensation for workplace accident is determined by the court's discretion in absence of specific law, based on general principles and comparable case law, with the employer liable for the total amount minus the portion covered by the insurer under the insurance contract.

Source excerpt

• Workplace accident compensation
• Standing to sue for compensation
• Scope of insurance liability
• Extraordinary review (revision)
• Calculation of damages
• Procedural default

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