Rwanda Prosecution Appeals Sentence in Teacher Assault Case

Kigali, 7 August 2026 - The case involving Viola Eli Bibi Albert, a South Sudanese student accused of assaulting her teacher, remains before the courts after prosecutors appealed a six-month prison sentence imposed by the Kicukiro Primary Court.

On 4 August 2026, the court found Viola guilty of assault and intentional injury and sentenced her to six months in prison and a Rwf100,000 fine. She was also ordered to pay Rwf700,000 in damages and related legal costs. However, the court acquitted her of making threats, citing insufficient evidence.

The case dates back to 4 June 2026, when Viola reportedly went to a university laboratory where her teacher was working and asked for additional marks after failing a subject. According to the prosecution, the teacher refused, prompting Viola to slap, bite and choke her before other people intervened.

Viola acknowledged assaulting the teacher during the proceedings, saying she was angry about failing her examinations, but denied threatening to kill her. Prosecutors, however, maintain that she threatened the teacher with death if they were left alone and blamed her for the examination failure.

In its appeal before the Nyarugenge High Court, the prosecution is seeking a conviction on both charges and a significantly heavier sentence of three years in prison and a Rwf500,000 fine. It argues that the original sentence was too lenient given the circumstances of the assault and maintains that there is sufficient evidence to support the threat charge.

The requested three-year sentence would comprise one year for assault and intentional injury and two years for making threats. The appeal was filed within the legal period allowing parties to challenge the Kicukiro Primary Court’s decision, leaving the final outcome to the High Court.