Verdict Postponed In Rwanda Political Prisoner's Case

[Op-Ed]

The High Court in Kigali has just adjourned to Friday 19 October 2012, the political verdict of the opposition leader, Madame Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza.

She has been incarcerated since 14 October 2010 on politically motivated charges. The Court is waiting for the Supreme court ruling on a constitutional review motion.

The prosecution has asked for a life sentence in this case. Most of the presidents of opposition parties in Rwanda are in maximum security prisons.

Three days ago, we were informed about the disappearance of the first vice president of PS Imberakuri, Mr. Alexis Bakunzibake. There are news that the kidnappers have dumped him alive in a bush in Kabare district in neighboring Uganda. We are still investigating this information.

We welcome the return yesterday from exile of Mr. Frank Habineza, leader of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda. He left after the assassination of his first Vice President, the late André Kagwa Rwisereka in July 2010, a month before the presidential election.

The demanded independent investigation never happened.


Boniface Twagirimana is Interim Vice President, FDU-Inkingi