Eric Semuhungu Charges Could Lead to Up to 15 Years in Prison

Kigali, Rwanda – April 14, 2026

The case file of Semuhungu Eric, who was recently arrested, has been forwarded to the Prosecution on April 14, 2026. He is currently facing three serious criminal charges, including rape, which carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison under Rwandan law.

According to the spokesperson of the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Dr. Murangira B. Thierry, the investigation into Semuhungu has been completed and the case has officially been submitted for prosecution.

Reports indicate that Semuhungu, who was arrested on April 9, 2026, is accused of committing three offenses: rape, publishing sexually explicit content through computer systems or networks, and extortion through threats of defamation.

The charge of rape is provided for under Article 134 of Law No. 68/2018 of August 30, 2018, which governs crimes and penalties in Rwanda. If convicted, Semuhungu faces a prison sentence ranging from 10 to 15 years, along with a fine of between 1 million and 2 million Rwandan francs.

He is also accused of publishing pornographic or sexually explicit material via digital platforms, an offense defined under Article 34 of the law on the prevention and punishment of cybercrimes. A conviction on this charge carries a prison sentence of between three and five years, as well as a fine ranging from 1 million to 3 million Rwandan francs.

The third charge relates to extortion by threatening to defame, as stipulated under Article 129 of the same penal law. If found guilty, he could face a prison term of one to three years and a fine ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 Rwandan francs.

Authorities have reiterated their commitment to combating sexual violence and cyber-related offenses, urging the public to report such crimes and support efforts to protect victims.

The case is now in the hands of the prosecution, which will determine the next legal steps, including whether Semuhungu will be brought before court for trial.