Landmark Trial of Prison Officials Begins to Crack the Wall of Impunity.
For decades, Rwandan authorities have subjected detainees, in both official and unofficial detention facilities, to ill-treatment and torture with no accountability.
A landmark trial of prison officials for murder, torture, and assault, concluded in April, demonstrated that it is possible to begin to break through the entrenched practice of torture.
The government should conduct a comprehensive investigation into torture in Rwanda’s prisons, with help from the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and United Nations experts.
(Nairobi) – For decades, Rwandan authorities have subjected detainees, in both official and unofficial detention facilities, to ill-treatment and torture, with no accountability, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Nevertheless, a landmark trial of 6 prison officials and 12 detainees for murder, torture, and assault at Rubavu prison, concluded in April 2024, demonstrated that it is possible to begin to break through the entrenched practice of torture in Rwanda.
The 22-page report, “‘They Threw Me in the Water and Beat Me’: The Need for Accountability for Torture in Rwanda,” documents torture and ill-treatment by prison officials and detainees in Nyarugenge prison in the capital, Kigali; in Rubavu prison, western Rwanda; and in an unofficial detention facility in Kigali known as “Kwa Gacinya.” Human Rights Watch found that judges ignored complaints from current and former detainees about the unlawful detention and ill-treatment, creating an environment of near-total impunity.
“Our research demonstrates that prison officials have been allowed to torture detainees with impunity for years, highlighting the failures of Rwanda’s institutions mandated to safeguard detainees’ rights,” said Clémentine de Montjoye, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The landmark trial of prison officials provides an important first step toward accountability, but a more comprehensive response is necessary to address the deeply entrenched practice of torture in Rwanda.”
Between 2019 and 2024, Human Rights Watch interviewed more than 28 people, including 13 former detainees who had been held in unofficial detention sites and in Rubavu and Nyarugenge prisons between 2017 and 2024. Human Rights Watch reviewed YouTube interviews of former prisoners who described being tortured in detention and court documents relating to the trials of 53 people. Among those were some who testified at the trial of the former director at both Nyarugenge and Rubavu prisons, Innocent Kayumba, and 17 others on charges of torture, beatings, murder, and other offenses.
Former detainees told Human Rights Watch about the ordeal detainees faced in sites referred to as “Yordani” that existed in both prisons, where detainees were forced into a tank filled with dirty water, submerged, and beaten. Some said detainees were then made to run around the courtyard barefoot until they collapsed.
Kayumba was director of Rubavu prison until 2019, when he was transferred to Nyarugenge, the same year as the killing of a detainee for which he would eventually stand trial. In Nyarugenge, he put in place the same system to inflict torture, former detainees said. Human Rights Watch obtained the names of 11 prisoners whom former detainees said died in detention following beatings. Several of those cases were brought forward during Kayumba’s trial.
Human Rights Watch found a pattern of ill-treatment, mock executions, beatings, and torture at Kwa Gacinya which dates back to at least 2011. In Kwa Gacinya, former detainees said they were held in “coffin-like” cells and were regularly beaten and forced to confess to the crimes with which they were charged, before being transferred to an official detention facility. Human Rights Watch received information that Kwa Gacinya is now being used as a police office, although two sources connected to the security services said that the abuse continues in its basement.
On April 5, the Rubavu High Court convicted Kayumba of the assault and murder of a detainee at Rubavu prison in 2019 and sentenced him to 15 years in prison and a fine of 5 million Rwandan Francs (about US$3,700). Two other Rwanda Correctional Service officers and seven prisoners, who were accused of acting under instruction, were convicted of beating and killing prisoners. Three other correctional service officials were acquitted.
The trial delivered only partial justice, Human Rights Watch said. Officials were convicted of assault and murder, but acquitted of torture, which carries a heavier penalty. Several senior prison officials were acquitted despite the apparently damning evidence presented against them by former detainees. The prisoners who were ordered to beat fellow detainees were given longer sentences of up to 25 years.
Rwanda’s National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) is not independent and has been unable or unwilling to report on cases of torture. In May, Human Rights Watch submitted a third-party report to the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, which monitors national human rights institutions’ compliance with the Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions (The Paris Principles), ahead of its October review of the NCHR’s work.
Rwandan authorities routinely curtail the work of institutions with a mandate to monitor prison conditions and prevent torture. At the international level, the Rwandan government has obstructed the United Nations and other institutions from carrying out essential monitoring work in an independent manner.
In May, Human Rights Watch offered to meet with Rwanda’s justice minister and the chairperson of the NCHR to share preliminary findings of this research, but its senior researcher was denied entry upon arrival at Kigali International Airport. On September 10, Human Rights Watch sent letters to the justice minister and the NCHR sharing the findings but received no response.
Rwanda should comply with its own constitution and fulfill its obligations under international human rights law, in particular the absolute prohibition on torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, Human Rights Watch said. Rwanda’s partners, particularly those that support Rwanda’s justice sector such as the European Union, should press Rwanda’s government to intensify efforts to hold all those responsible for torture accountable.
The government should conduct a comprehensive investigation into torture in Rwanda’s prisons. To lend credibility to the investigation, the government should request the assistance of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and UN experts and publicly report on its findings. Finally, Rwanda should cooperate with the UN Committee against Torture and submit its state party report, due since December 2021, and permit the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to resume its visit to detention facilities unhindered.
“Kayumba’s case not only exposes serious and grave problems in Rwanda’s correctional services, but critical failings in the judiciary and the national human rights institution,” de Montjoye said. “These institutions should carry out a comprehensive investigation into ill-treatment and torture in Rwanda and carry out the necessary systemic reforms.”
The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, observed that when the Bill was brought before Parliament, it was not signed, which raised concerns over the sponsor of the Bill
Consideration of the Uganda National Kiswahili Council Bill, 2023 stalled for a second time during a plenary sitting held on Monday, 14 October 2024. While chairing the sitting, the Speaker, Anita Among, tasked the Ministry of Education and Sports, and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, to harmonise their positions on the Bill before its Second Reading.
“I held a meeting with Hon. Mutuuzo and Hon. Ogwang in my office. Hon. Mutuuzo said it was a cabinet position to have the Bill under Ministry of Gender, whereas Hon. Ogwang said the Bill belongs to Ministry of Education. I am directing that both ministers come to the Floor on Wednesday with a harmonised position,” said Among.
Her directive follows concerns by some legislators who questioned the ownership of the Bill and the need for a Kiswahili Council.
The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, observed that when the Bill was brought before Parliament, it was not signed, which raised concerns over the sponsor of the Bill.
He also noted discrepancies on where the Bill should be housed, adding that the Attorney General did not offer clarification on the ministry in charge of the Bill.
“We told government to get itself in order, and then retable this Bill. We shall then know who to hold accountable. Even if you insist and somehow it gets to pass, it will be challenged in court and you do not want that,” said Ssenyonyi.
Hon. Elijah Okupa (Indep., Kasilo County) and Hon. Jonathan Ebwalu (Indep., Soroti West Division) questioned why government proposed a council to manage Kiswahili, compared to other languages taught in schools across the country.
“Swahili is not the first language Ugandans are learning. We have Luganda, Ateso, German and French being taught in schools, but we do not have councils for these languages,” Okupa said.
“My humble view is that you make Kiswahili compulsory in schools, rather than bringing this council. We are talking of rationalisation but you want to bring people to manage the council. Are you going to bring the Luganda council, the Kumam council, the Ateso council?” Ebwalu asked.
Hon. Henry Kibalya (NRM, Bugabula County) said that the education ministry is charged with language education and as such ought to manage the proposed Kiswahili Council, rather than the gender ministry.
“The Ministry of Education was introduced in this government to handle whatever concerns education. Whether education is in Lusoga or Lugbara, it is the Ministry of Education in charge,” Kibalya said.
The Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development (Gender and Culture). Hon. Peace Mutuuzo, told the House that the proposed Bill is sponsored by her ministry under provisions of the Constitution.
“This Bill is sponsored by the Ministry of Gender not by error. The ministry is sponsoring the Bill because it is mandated under Objective 24 of the Constitution, Article 6 on Languages as well as Article 37 on the Rights of Culture and similar Rights,” Mutuuzo said.
The Speaker, however, reiterated her position on a harmonised position, to avoid retrospective signing of the Bill.
The object of the Bill is to provide for the establishment of the Uganda National Kiswahili Council, its functions, its linkage with local governments and its funds, among others, after Article 6(2) of the Constitution made Kiswahili the second official language of Uganda. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
Sofibanque, one of the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) biggest banks, is leveraging co-location services at the OADC Kinshasa data centre site.
Sofibanque will leverage the 2MW facility in Kinshasa to upgrade and transform its IT systems, leveraging secure and scalable infrastructure solutions to support its growing customer base.
“This collective shift towards advanced infrastructure will play a critical role in the economic development of the DRC and neighbouring countries, fostering a more inclusive financial system and supporting broader socio-economic progress,” said Mohammed Bouhelal, managing director of OADC Texaf Kinshasa.
“We are proud to support Sofibanque in their journey towards digital transformation and look forward to welcoming other local and pan Africa banks.”
Raxio Group has inaugurated its new data centre in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking the country’s largest data centre, with Tier III accreditation by Uptime Institute,
Known as Raxio DRC1, the facility is backed by a US$30 million investment and represents a milestone as the country looks to drive digital inclusion, foster private sector growth and transform public services through digitalisation.
Known officially as Raxio DRC1, the facility opened in August and is Tier III accredited.
The site is designed to support digital inclusion and foster private sector growth in the African country.
The team behind the data centre suggested finance firms like Sofibanque will benefit from using the site through “enhanced physical security, sustained uptime and compliance with international standards, and national regulations.”
The facility’s advanced infrastructure will enhance the availability of our services, allowing us to meet the growing demands of the market and support our long-term digital strategy.” said Henry Wazne, managing director and CEO of Sofibanque.
“This partnership is a key step in our journey towards a more robust and agile IT environment that supports both our customers and the broader financial ecosystem in the DRC.” By Ben Wodecki, Capacity
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.[File, Standard]
The government could have been quietly engaging Adani Group to lease Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for over a year, fresh details have emerged in court.
In a case where President William Ruto’s principal economic advisor David Ndii is named as a person who had been aware of the deal, it is alleged that the Indian conglomerate through Adani Airports Holding Ltd - had on April 25, 2023, submitted to Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) a privately initiated proposal (PIP) for development of JKIA under public-private partnership arrangement.
According to Tony Gachoka, Jubilee Party, Wiper Party, Democratic Action Party Kenya (DAP-K) and Mount Kenya, Adani PIP was copied to Ndii, the National Treasury and the Ministry of Roads and Transport.
However, Gachoka’s lawyer Ndegwa Njiru claims that they remained tight-lipped about the deal until this year when Adani allegedly floated its PIP. Adani in its case claimed that it floated the idea to refurbish JKIA on March 1, 2024, after seeing the deteriorating state of the international airport in the media.
However, the Njiru alleged that the deal was being worked backwardsin order to favour the firm. He argued that the idea to directly procure the construction of a new passenger terminal at JKIA was done with the Adani Group in mind.
The lawyer alleged that through a contract dated December 13, 2023, KAA procured advisory services for the construction of a new passenger terminal building at JKIA.
He told the court the team recommended an Airport PPP as opposed to a terminals PIP as the most beneficial to Kenya.
President William Ruto's adviser David Ndii. [File, Standard]
“Unsurprisingly, on March 1, 2024, the second respondent submitted to the KAA its PIP for the development of JKIA under PPP arrangements. On the same day, the JKIA submitted the said proposal to the 9th respondent PS Mohammed Daghar who on the same day submitted the proposal to the PS National Treasury Chris Kiptoo. The petitioners earnestly believe these activities did not take place on 1 March 2024 as demonstrated,” argued Ndegwa.
The court heard that contrary to the government’s claim that Adani was the only firm interested in developing JKIA, other firms had floated their proposals. The lawyer claimed that Abu Dhabi, China Road and Bridge Corporation and Motar Etgil Africa/Corporation America JV had proposed to develop JKIA through PPP. He said that despite the documents being before KAA), the government never disclosed them same to the public.
“By a further letter dated June 12, 2023, referencing "Proposed Construction of a Second Runway at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) the 9th respondent PS Mohamed Daghar stated that the KAA had not formally submitted the PIP submitted by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd and their preliminary appraisal of the same,” claimed Ndegwa.. He further claimed that PIP for JKIA submitted by Adani is lopsided and subversive of Kenya's public interest.
Ndegwa said that despite the government drumming up for the firm to take over JKIA for 30 years, no one can put a finger on how much Adani had invested or will pump to the project.
The lawyer alleged that the Indian firm is being gifted JKIA without paying a penny.
“Adani Group PIP does not specify the exact amount to be invested despite the fact that investment is the principal criterion for PPP under the 2011 Policy on PPPs and subsequent legislations. For all practical purposes, the existing and potential revenue of JKIA are simply being transferred to the 2nd Respondent and its undisclosed Kenyan partners to invest for their private gain. This is a clear case of sovereign robbery,” claimed Ndegwa.The court heard that the government is going against a 2019 Parliament report that shielded JKIA from privatisation or control by foreigners. By Kamau Muthoni, The Standard
Uganda and a Turkish company signed a deal on Monday to construct a 272-kilometer railway, marking a significant step toward improving transportation infrastructure in East Africa.
The railway, designed to enhance both speed and cargo capacity, is expected to strengthen Uganda’s links to regional trade routes, including the Indian Ocean seaport of Mombasa.
The agreement was signed in Kampala by Uganda’s Works Ministry Permanent Secretary Bageya Waiswa and Yapi Merkezi Holdings Vice Chairman Erdem Arioglu. Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, and Turkish Ambassador Fatih Ak were among the officials present.
Bageya highlighted that the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project will help reduce transportation costs and facilitate trade across the region. The new railway, which will stretch from the Malaba border post with Kenya to Uganda’s capital, Kampala, is expected to provide faster, more efficient cargo transport than the current meter-gauge system, which has a narrower track width of 1,000 mm compared to the SGR’s 1,420-1,460 mm gauge.
Initially, China Harbour Engineering Company was contracted to build the railway but, after eight years of delays, Uganda turned to Yapi Merkezi to get the project underway.
Turkish Ambassador Ak emphasized Türkiye’s commitment to sharing its railway expertise to help modernize Uganda’s rail network. The Turkish construction firm Polat Yol Yapi is also active in Uganda, working on the Muyembe-Nakapiripirit road project, which will connect Uganda to Kenya, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.
Speaking to Anadolu, Uganda’s honorary consul to Istanbul, Levent Davisoglu, stressed Uganda’s strategic role as a connector in the East African region. By Hamza Kyeyune, Anadolu Agency
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