Rwanda Case Law

ICYEGERANYO GIHURIZAHAMWE IMIRONGO YATANZWE N'URUKIKO RW'UBUJURIRE: NYAKANGA 2022-KAMENA2025

Court

Court of Appeal

The core holding is that the Court of Appeal's precedents from July 2022 to June 2025 establish binding interpretations on jurisdiction, procedure, evidence, remedies, and substantive law across civil, commercial, labour, administrative, insurance, family, tax, and criminal matters. Lower courts and litigants must follow these lines unless overruled or changed by law. Procedural compliance, evidentiary sufficiency, and adherence to statutory and contractual obligations are mandatory. Remedies are limited to those proven and allowed by law. Precedent is binding unless expressly overruled.

Source excerpt

• Jurisdiction
• Appeals
• Procedure
• Evidence
• Contracts
• Torts

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v. KINYOGOTE

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RS/INJUST/RP 00005/2021/CA

Kinyogote Cyrille knowingly issued dishonoured cheques to Sekamana Gaspard, which is criminal under Article 373(10) of Organic Law No 01/2012/OL. The cheques cannot be considered as guarantee instruments. Damages are recoverable by Sekamana Gaspard as the criminal offence is established.

Source excerpt

• Dishonoured cheque
• Post-dated cheque
• Guarantee instruments
• Criminal liability
• Damages

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v TWAGIRAMUNGU

Court

High Court

Case number

RP/GEN 00001/2018/HC/HCCIC

Twagiramungu Jean is found guilty of genocide for participating in attacks at Kamondo Juvénal, Bendantunguka Daniel, and Cyanika Parish, acting with genocidal intent as part of a joint criminal enterprise, though no direct evidence of him committing killings was established; liability arises from his active participation and shared intent with others.

Source excerpt

• Genocide
• Joint criminal enterprise
• Extradition
• Criminal liability
• Evidentiary standards

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v BUTORANO

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA 00050/2019/CA

The Court of Appeal upheld Butorano Célestin’s conviction for giving a harmful substance, dismissed the appeal, and reduced the sentence to 12 years.

• Evidence assessment
• Criminal liability
• Sentencing
• Appeals
• Criminal-evidence
• Witness-credibility

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UBUSHINJACYAHA v KANAMUGIRE

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

RPAA/GEN 00002/2019/CA

The Court of Appeal upheld Kanamugire Albert’s conviction as an accomplice to rape during the 1994 genocide, finding he knowingly led soldiers to the victims.

• Genocide
• Complicity
• Sexual violence
• Evidence
• Criminal liability
• Damages

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PROSECUTION v. MUKAKABANO ET.AL_en

Court

High Court

Case number

RPA0015/2017/HC/HCCI

The High Court held that two accused persons were guilty of attempted participation in trafficking a person out of Rwanda, and sentenced each to 18 months and a fine.

• Human trafficking
• Attempted trafficking
• Criminal liability
• Consent of victim
• Role of intermediaries
• Human-trafficking

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PROSECUTION v. MUZATSINDA_304110_en

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/REV/INJUST/PEN.0001/16/CS

The Supreme Court upheld a cohabitation conviction, holding that “live together permanently” is shown by conduct and public perception, not continuous residence.

• Cohabitation
• Criminal liability
• Damages
• Community of property
• Prosecutorial discretion
• Criminal-liability

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