Rwanda Case Law

UBUSHINJACYAHA vs UWIZEYIMNA

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA01025/2024/CA

The appeal lacked merit as the confession made by the accused during investigation, corroborated by the victim's testimony, was sufficient to uphold the conviction for defilement. The DNA evidence did not exonerate the accused since he was not charged with impregnating the victim but with defilement. However, considering mitigating circumstances and the need for sentencing consistency, the sentence was reduced from 20 years to 14 years' imprisonment.

Source excerpt

• Sexual offences
• Defilement
• Dna evidence
• Confession
• Sentencing
• Appeal procedure

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SIBOMANA v. UBUSHINJACYAHA

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00209/2023/CA

The Court of Appeal upheld Sibomana Aimable’s 15-year sentence for defilement of a minor, holding that the evidence was sufficient and the appeal lacked merit.

• Defilement of a minor
• Standard of proof in criminal cases
• Admissibility of evidence
• Witness credibility
• Dna evidence
• Appeals procedure

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UWAMWEZI v KABASINGA N’UNDI

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RC 00006/2019/SC

The Supreme Court confirmed, on DNA evidence, that Keza Reina and Gatesi Renita were Gashagaza Jérôme’s children and dismissed the retrial request.

• Paternity determination
• Dna evidence
• Burden of proof
• Costs and damages
• Paternity-determination
• Dna-evidence

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AKISANTI v TUYISHIMIRE

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RC 00021/2018/SC

The Supreme Court found that the DNA test conducted by Rwanda Forensic Laboratory provided irrefutable scientific evidence that Tuyishimire Yves is the biological child of Gusenga Innocent. The procedural objections raised by Akisanti Ayubu regarding the DNA report's validity and submission were dismissed as unfounded. The court held that the results of the DNA test outweigh other forms of evidence and are trustworthy. Claims for damages not raised in earlier proceedings were inadmissible, but reasonable procedural and counsel fees were awarded to Tuyishimire Yves.

Source excerpt

• Paternity determination
• Dna evidence
• Judicial review
• Damages
• Procedural law

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HABIMANA v. REKAYABO

Court

High Court

Case number

RCA 0197/12/HC/KIG

The High Court held that DNA evidence showing no paternal link prevailed over prior acknowledgments, and ruled that Habimana was not the child’s father.

• Paternity
• Dna evidence
• Parentage determination
• Family-law
• Dna-evidence
• Parentage-determination

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