Rwanda Case Law

UBUSHINJACYAHA v NKUNDABERA

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 01226/2024/CA

The appellant's confession at the prosecution stage, corroborated by eyewitness testimony and consistent circumstantial evidence, established beyond reasonable doubt that he attempted to have sexual intercourse with a five-year-old child, constituting the offence of defilement under Rwandan law, regardless of the absence of physical injury in the medical report.

Source excerpt

• Sexual offences against children
• Evidentiary value of confession
• Medical evidence in sexual offences

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UBUSHINJACYAHA vs HAKIZIMANA

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA00265/2023/CA

The appellate court found that the evidence relied upon by the lower courts—including the victim's testimony, corroborating witness statements, and the medical report—was consistent and credible. The appellant's alibi was not sufficiently substantiated, and discrepancies in timing or minor inconsistencies in witness accounts did not undermine the prosecution's case. The court held that the prosecution proved the offence beyond reasonable doubt and upheld the conviction and sentence.

Source excerpt

• Defilement of a minor
• Alibi defence
• Evidentiary standards
• Assessment of witness credibility
• Medical evidence in sexual offences

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v. NZAJYIBWAMI

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RPAA 0101/09/CS

The Supreme Court dismissed a criminal appeal, holding that additional investigations or witnesses were not required and that conviction could rest on credible testimony and medical evidence.

• Standard of evidence
• Value of testimony
• Judicial discretion
• Appeals process
• Medical evidence in sexual offences
• Criminal-procedure

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