Rwanda Case Law

IMIRONGO CoA - No 24 - Febuary - 2025

Court

Court of Appeal

The core binding principles are: (1) appellate courts must show, at least implicitly, that all material arguments and evidence were considered, but need not address each individually; (2) sentences cannot be increased on appeal if only the defendant appeals; (3) conspiracy to commit genocide is treated as genocide for intent and punishment; (4) accomplice liability in genocide does not require intent to destroy the group, only knowing assistance; (5) attempt liability does not apply to terrorist group membership; (6) new evidence for retrial must be truly new and material; (7) only parents or…

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• Appeals
• Sentencing
• Evidence
• Genocide
• Terrorism
• Drug offenses

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IMIRONGO CoA Mata 2024 Bookllet no 17

Court

Court of Appeal

A Court of Appeal booklet compiling Rwanda precedents on jurisdiction, bankruptcy, procurement, sentencing, evidence, and criminal procedure.

• Appeals
• Precedent
• Evidence
• Sentencing
• Contract law
• Bankruptcy

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IMIRONGO CoA - Werurwe 2024 - Booklet#16

Court

Court of Appeal

Digest of Court of Appeal precedents from March 2024 on criminal procedure, sentencing, evidence, appeals, and selected civil and commercial rules.

• Appeals
• Sentencing
• Evidence
• Criminal procedure
• Contract law
• Labour contracts

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HORIZON SOPYRWA LTD v KARIBUSHI N’UNDI

Court

High Court

Case number

RCA00008/2022/HC/MUS

The High Court dismissed Horizon Sopyrwa Ltd’s appeal, upheld the finding that the disputed land belonged to Dr Karibushi Ndengeye Blaise, and confirmed damages and costs.

• Land ownership
• Company succession
• Privatisation
• Contract law
• Damages
• Arbitration awards

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IMIRONGO CoA - No 3 - October - November - 2022

Court

Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal established that criminal convictions cannot rest solely on confessions; corroborative evidence is mandatory. Testimony from children under 14 and delayed medical reports require supporting evidence. In sexual offence cases, the birth certificate from the civil registrar is decisive for age determination. Courts retain authority to recharacterize offences on appeal. Ministerial orders interpreting laws are retroactive. Procedural compliance, including exhaustion of family council in inheritance and strict adherence to deadlines in appeals and auction challenges, is mandato…

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• Sexual offences
• Child protection
• Homicide
• Drug offences
• Provisional detention
• Inheritance

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SEMAPONDO v RWASIMPENZI N’ABANDI

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RAD 00002/2020/SC

Semapondo Charles failed to provide sufficient evidence directly linking his payment to the specific plot in dispute (no. 1418), whereas Rwasimpenzi Wellars presented comprehensive documentation and registration proving ownership. The Supreme Court found no injustice in the prior proceedings and dismissed the claim for retrial.

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• Land ownership
• Contract law
• Evidence
• Judicial review

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NTABARESHYA v MUHORAKEYE N’UNDI

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RS/INJUST/RC 00002/2019/CA

The Court of Appeal held that a seller cannot use as security a vehicle already sold to another person without the buyer’s consent, and ordered return of the vehicle.

• Contract law
• Sale of goods
• Security interests
• Enforcement of judgments
• Contract-law
• Sale-of-goods

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