Rwanda Case Law

UBUSHINJACYAHA v. MUPENZI N’UNDI

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA00522/2023/CA

The Court of Appeal found that both appellants jointly participated in the fatal assault, that the testimony of related witnesses was corroborated and credible, that no provocation was established, and that the legal characterization should be murder rather than assault causing death. However, the sentence could not be increased on appeal as the prosecution had not appealed, so the custodial sentence remained but the fine was annulled.

Source excerpt

• Evidence
• Testimony of related witnesses
• Appeals
• Classification of offences
• Causation
• Sentencing

Read case analysis

MURENZI v MUTABAZI N’UNDI

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RC 00009/2021/SC

The Supreme Court held that the expert report, though initially lacking oaths, was regularized when the experts testified under oath in the High Court; Murenzi's improper backfilling and construction caused the wall's collapse; damages were properly assessed; Murenzi and Uwamahoro are liable to Mutabazi, Muhawenimana, and SANLAM; expert fees and costs are to be borne by Murenzi as the losing party.

Source excerpt

• Expert evidence
• Burden of proof
• Causation
• Damages
• Building code compliance
• Insurance subrogation

Read case analysis

RLR-V.4- 2018

Court

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court held that ABACUS Pharma Rwanda Ltd was liable for harm caused by defective lidocaine 2%, while the hospital was not professionally at fault.

• Damages
• Causation
• Pharmaceutical liability
• Product-liability
• Medical-law

Read case analysis

TUKAKIRA ET AL v. HOPITAL LA CROIX DU SUD ET AL english

Court

High Court

Case number

RCA00321/2016/HC/KIG RCA00320/2016/HC/KIG RCA00322/2016/HC/KIG RCA00336/2016/HC/KIG

The High Court upheld liability against ABACUS Pharma Rwanda Ltd for defective lidocaine 2% that caused injuries to patients, and dismissed all appeals.

• Causation in tort
• Pharmaceutical product liability
• Damages assessment
• Professional negligence
• Burden of proof
• Product-liability

Read case analysis

TUKAKIRA N’ABANDI v. HOPITAL LA CROIX DU SUD N’ABANDI_kn

Court

High Court

Case number

RCA00321/2016/HC/KIG RCA00320/2016/HC/KIG RCA00322/2016/HC/KIG RCA00336/2016/HC/KIG

The High Court upheld liability against ABACUS Pharma Rwanda Ltd for harm caused by defective lidocaine 2% and dismissed the appeals. The hospital was not held liable.

• Product liability
• Medical negligence
• Damages
• Causation
• Pharmaceutical regulation
• Product-liability

Read case analysis

KARANGWA v. COGEAR

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RCOMA 0190/12/CS

The Supreme Court held that the fire loss remained insured under the original contract as renewed by annual addenda, but bank interest was not recoverable.

• Validity of insurance contracts
• Renewal of insurance agreements
• Liability of insurer
• Damages and interest
• Directness of damages
• Insurance-law

Read case analysis

NKURUNZIZA NUNDI V. HAKIZIMANA N'UNDI

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RCAA 0054/12/CS

The Supreme Court of Rwanda upheld a defamation finding over a distributed booklet, restored trial-level moral damages, and increased legal costs awarded to the respondents.

• Defamation
• Moral damages
• Civil liability
• Causation
• Quantum of damages
• Moral-damages

Read case analysis