Rwanda Case Law

UBUSHINJACYAHA v. UWAMAHORO

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00888/2024/CA

The court found that Uwamahoro Claire intentionally killed the victim by stabbing her in the torso with a knife, which demonstrates intent to kill under established jurisprudence. The claim of provocation was not properly raised at trial and cannot be considered on appeal. The sentence of 18 years' imprisonment was deemed appropriate and sufficiently mitigated given the circumstances and remorse shown; no further reduction was warranted.

Source excerpt

• Murder
• Intent
• Mitigation of sentence
• Appeals
• Provocation

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v. NZIRORERA

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00522/2024/CA

The court found Nzirorera Damien guilty of intentional murder, rejecting claims of provocation due to the elapsed time between the altercation and the fatal stabbing. The minimum sentence of 15 years was imposed, as mitigating factors were recognized but no further reduction is permitted by law.

Source excerpt

• Murder
• Intent
• Mitigating circumstances
• Provocation
• Sentencing

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v. MURINDWA

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00383/2023/CA

Murindwa Martin intentionally killed Gasake Emmanuel by striking him in the head with a deadly weapon after a period allowing for reflection, thus not acting under legal provocation; however, his emotional state upon finding Gasake with his wife warrants mitigation of sentence.

Source excerpt

• Murder
• Intent
• Provocation
• Sentencing
• Mitigating circumstances

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v MUHAYIMANA

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00309/2024/CA

The use of a lethal weapon (knife) to stab the victim in the chest constitutes intentional homicide under Rwandan law. The mitigating factors presented do not warrant further reduction of the sentence, as the gravity of the offense and the circumstances justify the 25-year imprisonment imposed by the lower court.

Source excerpt

• Murder
• Intent
• Mitigation of sentence
• Appeal procedure

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v NDAGIJIMANA

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00455/2021/CA

The court found that Ndagijimana intentionally killed Uwihoreye, as evidenced by his actions, the weapon used, and the location of the blow. However, due to mitigating circumstances including the prior altercation and the defendant's youth, the life sentence was reduced to 25 years' imprisonment.

Source excerpt

• Murder
• Intent
• Sentencing
• Mitigating circumstances

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v. NIYONSENGA N’ABANDI

Court

High Court

Case number

RP 00010/2020/HC/KIG

The High Court acquitted three accused journalists, finding no proof of intent to incite unrest or spread rumors, and noting the repealed offense could not be pursued.

• Incitement
• Spreading rumors
• Intent to commit crime
• Retroactive application of law
• Evidence burden
• Freedom of expression

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v. NZITAKUZE

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00500/2018/CA

The Court of Appeal held that attempted murder was not proved because the prosecution failed to show an intent to kill, and it acquitted Nzitakuze Théoneste.

• Attempted murder
• Elements of attempt
• Burden of proof
• Intent
• Acquittal
• Attempted-murder

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v. MUKARUSAGARA

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RPA 0241/09/CS

The Supreme Court upheld a murder conviction, finding intent to kill from the weapon and injuries, but reduced the sentence to 20 years and adjusted damages.

• Murder
• Mitigation of sentence
• Damages
• Intent
• Appeal
• Intent-to-kill

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v. CYUMA MIRUHO

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RPA 0142/10/CS

The Supreme Court found that Cyuma Miruho Alexandre acted with intent to kill, not merely to assault, based on the repeated use of deadly weapons and the victim's defenseless state. The Court also held that only the fact that it was his first offense was a valid mitigating circumstance, and reduced the sentence to the statutory maximum of 20 years as required by law.

Source excerpt

• Murder
• Intent
• Mitigating circumstances
• Sentencing

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v. MPITABAKANA_109805_kn

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RPA0129/10/CS

The Supreme Court of Rwanda dismissed Mpitabakana’s appeal, upholding a 20-year sentence for intentionally killing his pregnant wife.

• Murder
• Mitigation of sentence
• Intent
• Domestic violence
• Criminal-law
• Sentencing-mitigation

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