Rwanda Case Law

UBUSHINJACYAHA v. SINGIRANKABO

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00040/2024/CA

Singirankabo Védaste used a deadly traditional weapon (agasuka) to strike Mukankusi Anne Marie on the head, a vital part, resulting in death three days later. Medical evidence confirmed death was caused by head injury. Legal precedent establishes that intent to kill is inferred from such circumstances, and the minimum sentence for intentional homicide is 15 years imprisonment without a fine.

Source excerpt

• Intentional homicide
• Aggravated assault
• Sentencing
• Mitigating circumstances

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v. UWAMAHORO

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00888/2024/CA

The Court of Appeal upheld a conviction for intentional homicide, refused to reclassify the offence, and held that provocation raised on appeal was not admissible.

• Intentional homicide
• Change of offence classification
• Mitigation of sentence
• Provocation
• Appeal procedure
• Intentional-homicide

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v. BAMUREKE

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00832/2024/CA

The Court of Appeal held that a life sentence for intentional homicide may be reduced for mitigating circumstances, but not below 15 years.

• Mitigation of sentence
• Intentional homicide
• Appeal procedure
• Criminal-law
• Sentencing
• Mitigating-circumstances

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