Rwanda Case Law

RLR V.1 - 2026

Court

Supreme Court

RNC is a terrorist group as established by prior judgments and its acts; thus, prosecution for membership of a terrorist group did not require Prosecutor General's authorization. The acts of the accused constitute completed membership of a terrorist group, not attempt, as they consented and took steps to join. Attempt does not apply to this offence. The conviction of Haragirimana was based on credible evidence, including corroborated statements. The offences of joining an irregular armed group and membership of a terrorist group cannot be cumulated; only the latter is retained. Sentences were…

Source excerpt

• Terrorism
• Membership of terrorist group
• Irregular armed groups
• Attempt and completion of offence
• Procedural objections

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UMUJYI WA KIGALI v. ABAZUNGURA BA RWIGARA

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RADAA00008/2022/CA

The appeal partially succeeds: compensation is limited to the portion of land not already compensated by RSSB (2,075 m2), calculated at the current market rate (60,000 Frw/m2), plus statutory damages for expropriation delay. Consultancy fees are denied due to insufficient evidence and lack of causal link to the appellant's actions. Each party bears its own litigation costs.

Source excerpt

• Expropriation for public interest
• Compensation calculation
• Burden of proof
• Appeal scope
• Consultancy fees
• Procedural objections

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SONARWA HOLDINGS Ltd v. MUBERANGABO

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RSOC 00001/2024/CA

SONARWA HOLDINGS Ltd remains a legally existing company as per the official register and thus has standing to sue. The claim was not procedurally defective as both parties were properly joined and participated. However, the prior judgment was superseded by a valid, enforceable settlement agreement between SONARWA LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY Ltd (acting with authority from SONARWA HOLDINGS Ltd) and Muberangabo Titien, which extinguished any disputes arising from the execution of the judgment. Therefore, the applicant's claim to resolve disputes under the prior judgment lacked merit.

Source excerpt

• Corporate existence
• Standing to sue
• Settlement agreements
• Execution of judgments
• Procedural objections

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Dr GAHIMBARE vs Dr BARIBWIRA

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RCA 00006/2023/CA

The Court of Appeal held that procedural non-compliance does not justify a second appeal and upheld the objection that the appeal was outside its jurisdiction.

• Divorce
• Jurisdiction
• Recognition of foreign judgments
• Procedural objections
• Civil-procedure
• Family-law

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BIHIBINDI N’UNDI V MAJYAMBERE N’ABANDI.

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RCAA 00014/2022/CA

The Court of Appeal held it lacked jurisdiction because the disputed estate value was fixed at 61,000,000 Frw at first instance, below the 75,000,000 Frw threshold.

• Wills and inheritance
• Jurisdiction
• Procedural objections
• Burden of proof
• Distribution of estate
• Succession

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FARAJA HOTEL LTD v COGEBANQUE PLC N’UNDI

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RCOMAA 00046/2020/CA

The Court of Appeal dismissed FARAJA Hotel Ltd’s second appeal after finding the dispute could not be valued at the 75,000,000 Frw jurisdictional threshold.

• Jurisdiction of appellate courts
• Company insolvency
• Appointment of administrator
• Valuation of claims
• Procedural objections
• Appellate-jurisdiction

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ZADOK EAST AFRICA Ltd v. BANQUE DE KIGALI Ltd

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RCOMA OO47/14/CS

The Supreme Court dismissed ZADOK EAST AFRICA Ltd’s appeal, holding its tax-reimbursement claim lacked proof and the standing objection was raised too late.

• Standing to sue
• Burden of proof
• Contract enforcement
• Tax reimbursement
• Procedural objections
• Standing-to-sue

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BAMURANGE v. EQUITY BANK RWANDA Ltd

Court

Commercial High Court

Case number

RCOMA 0550/14/HCC

The appellant failed to pay loan installments as agreed, resulting in lawful enforcement of the mortgage. Overpayment of court fees does not invalidate the claim. The appellant did not prove she was permitted to pay late or that the debt was not due. The amount claimed was substantiated by evidence. Damages and legal fees are not awarded to a party who initiates baseless litigation. The respondent is entitled to interest accrued since the first judgment and partial legal costs.

Source excerpt

• Loan agreements
• Mortgage enforcement
• Procedural objections
• Damages
• Interest on judgment debt

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BAMURANGE v. EQUITY BANK RWANDA Ltd

Court

Commercial High Court

Case number

RCOMA 0550/14/HCC

The Commercial High Court dismissed Bamurange’s appeal over a loan default dispute, allowed Equity Bank’s cross-appeal, and upheld judgment debt plus interest and fees.

• Loan default
• Guaranty enforcement
• Court fees
• Damages
• Interest on judgment debt
• Procedural objections

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Abazungura ba Nzisabira v Rwanda Foam-1

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RCOMAA 0033/13/CS

The Supreme Court held that the heirs of NZISABIRA Trojan had standing, upheld a void sale of another’s property, and awarded restitution and limited damages.

• Sale of immovable property
• Nullity of contract
• Damages for wrongful sale
• Standing to sue
• Procedural objections
• Restitution

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