Rwanda Case Law

RADIANT vs CWINYAAI [

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RC 00024/2024/SC

The Supreme Court held that compensation for permanent disability below 30% must be calculated using the statutory minimum wage (SMIG) as per Presidential Order No. 31/01, Article 17. For loss of earning capacity, the Court found that Cwinyaai provided sufficient evidence of employment through a salary certificate, and that damages should be calculated based on his net salary. The lower court's awards were adjusted accordingly.

Source excerpt

• Personal injury compensation
• Permanent disability
• Loss of earning capacity
• Calculation of damages
• Burden of proof for employment
• Application of minimum wage (smig)

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IMANZA Z'UBWISHINGIZI ZACIWE N'URUKIKO RW'IKIRENGA (Insurance digest Supreme Court 2025)

Court

Supreme Court

Permanent disability from a traffic accident entitles the victim to economic loss and career prejudice compensation regardless of whether employment or income was lost, provided the disability is medically certified. Career prejudice compensation is not limited to those who lost jobs but extends to anyone whose professional prospects are diminished by the injury. Dependency claims by adults require proof of actual support and need. For self-employed or informal workers, damages are calculated on net income or sector benchmarks. Compulsory motor insurance does not cover workplace accidents, wh…

Source excerpt

• Personal injury compensation
• Permanent disability
• Economic loss
• Career prejudice
• Funeral expenses
• Dependency claims

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MUKARUHUNGA v. RADIANT INSURANCE COMPANY Ltd

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RC00019/2024/SC

Applicant is entitled to economic loss and professional impairment damages based on permanent disability (60%), regardless of continued employment, as statutory and case law require compensation proportional to impairment and its impact on earning capacity and professional advancement.

Source excerpt

• Motor vehicle accident compensation
• Permanent disability
• Loss of earning capacity
• Professional impairment
• Damages calculation

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RUZIBIZA v. MOUNT MERU LOGISTICS RWANDA LTD

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RSOC00003/2024/SC

The Supreme Court found Mount Meru liable in part for unlawful dismissal and occupational-accident related losses after failing to register the worker with social security.

• Unlawful dismissal
• Occupational accident
• Employer liability
• Damages
• Medical expenses
• Social security contributions

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MUSENGIMANA v EUCL

Court

High Court

Case number

RCA 00324/2022/HC/KIG

The High Court held that, since there is no specific law governing damages for injuries caused by electricity accidents, damages must be determined by judicial discretion based on general principles of liability for harm caused by things under one's control. The court rejected the direct application of the presidential decree for motor vehicle accidents but used its methodology as guidance. The applicant was awarded damages reflecting his 92% permanent disability, loss of earning capacity, and related expenses, as the evidence established EUCL's liability.

Source excerpt

• Compensation for injury
• Electricity accidents
• Damages calculation
• Permanent disability
• Analogical interpretation
• Burden of proof

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SANLAM AG Plc v RUTAYISIRE

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RC 00011/2022/SC

The Supreme Court partly granted review, recalculating damages for a motorcycle taxi rider injured in a traffic accident and ordering repayment of overpaid amounts.

• Motor vehicle accident
• Compensation calculation
• Economic loss
• Permanent disability
• Temporary disability
• Motor-vehicle-accident

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SANLAM v KAYIREBWA

Court

High Court

Case number

RCA 00073/2022/HC/NYZ

The High Court held that proof of employment and a salary certificate were enough to calculate damages on actual salary, not SMIG, and dismissed SANLAM’s appeal.

• Compensation for bodily injury
• Calculation of damages
• Proof of earnings
• Permanent disability
• Procedural costs
• Personal-injury-damages

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KWIZERA v RADIANT INSURANCE COMPANY LTD

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RC 00014/2022/SC

Economic damages for self-employed accident victims must be calculated based on the net annual income typical for the profession, deducting applicable taxes, rather than the minimum wage, when the profession is known and evidence of income is provided, even if not in the form of authentic deeds. For motorcyclists, the net annual income is determined by deducting the lump sum tax and trading license tax from the standard annual income recognized by tax authorities.

Source excerpt

• Accident compensation
• Economic damages
• Damages for self-employed
• Calculation of damages
• Permanent disability
• Motor vehicle insurance

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RUBAYIZA v SONARWA General Insurance Company Ltd

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RC 00026/2022/SC

The Supreme Court held that compensation for permanent disability below 30% from a motor vehicle accident is calculated using SMIG, not the claimant’s salary.

• Compensation for motor vehicle accident
• Calculation of damages
• Permanent disability
• Application of presidential decree
• Stare decisis
• Motor-vehicle-accident-compensation

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RUBAYIZA v SONARWA GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY LTD

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RC 00026/2022/SC

The Supreme Court held that permanent disability under 30% is compensated using SMIG, not actual salary, and dismissed the retrial application.

• Calculation of damages
• Personal injury compensation
• Motor vehicle accident
• Permanent disability
• Application of presidential decree
• Stare decisis

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