Rwanda justice minister calls for end to government legal losses

Kigali, March 31, 2026 - Rwanda’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, has said that government court losses must be eliminated entirely, despite improvements in the state’s legal performance.

Speaking during a training session for government legal advisors, Ugirashebuja noted that the state had lost 27 cases between 2020 and 2023, representing about 9% of cases, resulting in financial losses estimated at nearly 1 billion Rwandan francs.

He emphasized that while the government has achieved a 91% success rate in litigation, the remaining losses remain unacceptable and must be fully addressed.

The minister attributed many of the losses to weaknesses in contract preparation and implementation, calling for stricter monitoring of public agreements and improved legal oversight.

Officials say efforts are underway to strengthen contract management systems and reduce disputes that lead to court cases involving government institutions.

Ugirashebuja also praised ongoing training programs for legal advisors, saying they are key to improving accountability and reducing future litigation risks.