Rwanda Case Law

UBUSHINJACYAHA v. KARIKUMUTIMA

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 01426/2024/CA

The court found that the combination of the defendant's confession during investigation, corroborating witness testimony, and physical evidence was sufficient to uphold the conviction for defilement of a child. The absence of forensic evidence and the relationship of witnesses to the victim did not undermine the reliability of the evidence. However, considering mitigating circumstances, including the defendant's lack of prior convictions and age, the sentence was reduced to sixteen years' imprisonment.

Source excerpt

• Evidence in criminal cases
• Sexual offences against children
• Appeals procedure
• Sentencing

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UBUSHINJACYAHA vs KAYITARE

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00497/2023/CA

The appeal lacked merit as the evidence, including witness statements, medical reports, and circumstantial facts, sufficiently established Kayitare Jacques's involvement in the attempted murder. However, considering mitigating circumstances (no prior convictions, no serious consequences), the sentence was reduced to twelve years and six months imprisonment.

Source excerpt

• Evidence in criminal cases
• Attempted murder
• Sentencing
• Mitigating circumstances
• Appeals procedure

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v. UMUBYEYI

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00012/2021/CA

The Court of Appeal upheld Umubyeyi Yvette’s conviction for inciting public disorder, but reduced her sentence from 10 years to 8 years.

• Evidence in criminal cases
• Incitement to public disorder
• Sentencing
• Appeal procedure
• Criminal-law
• Criminal-evidence

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UBUSHINJACYAHA vs IMANIRANKUNDA

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00298/2023/CA

The appellate court found that the conviction was supported by corroborated evidence: the accused's confession, the child's statements to her father, witness observations of injuries, and the medical report confirming sexual abuse. The court held that the accused failed to prove coercion or contradiction in the evidence, and that indirect testimony is admissible if properly assessed. The court also held that the civil claimant, not having appealed, could not be awarded more compensation than previously granted, except for additional costs incurred due to being summoned to the appeal.

Source excerpt

• Evidence in criminal cases
• Sexual offences against children
• Appeals procedure
• Compensation for victims

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UBUSHINJACYAHA vs NIYONKURU

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA00358/2023/CA

The Court of Appeal upheld Niyonkuru Patrick’s conviction for defilement of a 13-year-old minor, but reduced his sentence from 20 to 15 years.

• Evidence in criminal cases
• Sentencing
• Appeal procedure
• Defilement of minors
• Criminal-law
• Appeal-procedure

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UBUSHINJACYAHA vs MURERAKURE

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPA 00036/2022/CA

The appeal was dismissed because the evidence from multiple witnesses, the victim, and documentary proof (medical and birth records) consistently established that Murerakure Jeannette knowingly allowed the sexual exploitation of a minor in her residence. The court found no merit in the appellant's arguments regarding the credibility of witnesses or the minor's age. However, considering mitigating factors such as being a first-time offender and her age, the sentence was reduced from 20 to 15 years' imprisonment.

Source excerpt

• Evidence in criminal cases
• Accomplice liability
• Sexual offences against minors
• Sentencing and mitigation

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v. MUHIMPUNDU

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA00188/2024/CA

The Court of Appeal upheld Muhimpundu’s conviction for defilement, finding the evidence reliable, but reduced his sentence from 25 to 15 years.

• Evidence in criminal cases
• Child sexual abuse
• Mitigation of sentence
• Admissibility of confessions
• Criminal-evidence
• Confession-admissibility

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v. TUGIRINSHUTI

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00098/2023/CA

The Court of Appeal upheld Tugirinshuti’s conviction for defilement of a child, finding the evidence credible, but reduced the sentence to 19 years.

• Evidence in criminal cases
• Sentencing
• Mitigating circumstances
• Appeals
• Criminal-law
• Criminal-procedure

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