Trial Begins for 16 Nyabihu District Officials Accused of Embezzlement, Entrepreneur Absent

The Nyabihu District Court has commenced hearings against 16 district officials accused of embezzling public funds, including the Executive Secretary of Nyabihu District, David Mugiraneza, and the Director of the Department of Social Welfare. The case also involves the President of IBUKA in Nyabihu and leaders from seven sectors-Jenda, Bigogwe, Mukamira, Muringa, Rugera, Kintobo, and Rambura-connected to a project to build 17 houses for genocide survivors. The hearing began on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Mukamira District Court.

The prosecution presented the charges against each defendant from 10:05 a.m. to 10:50 a.m., requesting 30 days of temporary detention for crimes punishable by over two years in prison. The officials are accused of failing to complete the houses due to missing construction materials, and then falsely claiming that the contractor had delivered the supplies.

Mr. Mugiraneza faces two charges, including confirming that the buildings were complete and misusing public funds. The prosecution also alleged that evidence was destroyed or obstructed during the investigation.

From 10:51 a.m. until 5:12 p.m., 15 of the defendants defended themselves individually, leaving three to continue their defense later. The District Executive Secretary denied both charges, arguing that his actions were in the interest of the district, not personal gain.

“The building officer indicated that the 10 houses included in the contract were 100% complete and were being transferred to the authorities, showing the contract was abandoned and done in the district’s interest,” Mugiraneza stated.“I was the first to follow up on these reports. In July, I summoned all IBUKA Presidents regarding the seven unfinished buildings; they were the ones requested to receive 6 million Rwf to complete them from the budget to help the needy.”

Lawyers defending Mugiraneza highlighted that he had three guarantors with assets worth 60 million Rwf, and that the 6 million Rwf transfer was based on a technical document still held at the sectors. They argued that this did not justify detention.

All arguments concluded at 6:46 p.m., with the judge scheduling the detention and provisional release decision for October 30, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Meanwhile, the defendants, who had been under investigation in Kigali for several days, were detained at the Jenda RIB Station pending the court’s ruling.

The trial is closely watched, as it involves officials responsible for overseeing funds meant to support survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi, highlighting ongoing efforts to ensure accountability in public service.