Kicukiro Court Holds Private Hearing in Semuhungu Case

On April 28, 2026, the Kicukiro Primary Court held a hearing concerning the detention and provisional release of Semuhungu Eric. The session took place at the Justice Building in Kigali.

Semuhungu Eric was brought from detention early in the morning and appeared before the court with legal representation. As required, the presiding judge confirmed his identity before proceeding with the case.

During the session, the defense requested that the hearing be conducted in private. The Prosecution supported this request, stating that it was in the best interest of the accused.

The court accepted the request and ordered that the hearing be held in camera. All individuals not directly involved in the case were asked to leave the courtroom.

Legal Framework for Closed Hearings

The decision to conduct the hearing in private is based on Law No. 22/2018 governing civil, commercial, labor, and administrative procedures. This legal provision is also applied in criminal cases.

According to Article 70 of the law, court hearings are generally public. However, the court may decide to hold proceedings in private if a public hearing could disrupt order or affect public morality or individual privacy rights.

This provision allows the court to balance transparency with the protection of personal dignity and sensitive case details.

Case Background

Semuhungu Eric was arrested on April 9, 2026, and is currently detained at the Rwanda Investigation Bureau station in Kimironko.

He faces three charges, including rape, an offense that carries a prison sentence ranging from 10 to 15 years under Rwandan law.

Implications for Judicial Practice

Closed hearings remain an important legal tool in Rwanda’s justice system. They are used in cases where public proceedings may compromise privacy, security, or ethical standards.

Such measures aim to ensure fair trial conditions while protecting the rights of all parties involved.

However, the use of private hearings requires careful application to maintain public trust in the judicial process.