A military tribunal on Monday sentenced Rwanda Defence Force officer, Major Aimable Rugomwa and stripped off his rank after finding him guilty of beating to death a student last year.

Rugomwa was arrested last September accused of colluding to kill Theogene Mbarushimana, a teenage student who according to prosecution was beaten to death from the officer’s home in Kicukiro District.

Court also ordered Rugomwa to pay compensation worth Rwf11.5 million to the family of the deceased.

The medical doctor was prior to his arrest attached to Rwanda Military Hospital.

During trial, military prosecution stated that on September 4, 2016, Rugomwa in the company of his brother Mamelto Nsanzimfura stopped Mbarushimana who was passing by the former’s home, accusing him of theft.

Prosecution said the deceased, after being battered was dumped on the street in front of Rugomwa’s home in Kanombe Sector, Kicukiro District and was pronounced dead on reaching at Rwanda Military Hospital.

However, in May the Nyamirambo based tribunal ordered for the release of the co-accused Nsanzimfura, after a medical report submitted to court showed that he was mentally incapacitated, thereby rendering him not fit to stand trial.

Court heard that the doctor intentionally beat the deceased student to death using rudimentary tools, hitting him hard on the head.

The student had been sent to a nearby shop when he was intercepted by Dr. Rugomwa, according to prosecution witness.

Court dismissed Rugomwa’s defense lawyers’ argument that the victim was responsible for his death after trespassing into the doctor’s compound to steal.

The defence lawyers argued that their client’s fatal actions were in self-defense and wanted court to treat it as involuntary manslaughter.

But prosecution produced medical evidence pinning the military doctor and prayed court to jail Dr. Rugomwa for life on murder charges.

A post-mortem report showed that the deceased suffered from an injured skull bone and broken fingers.

The deceased’s mother Odette Mukakamanzi said that the doctor should have known better the dangers of his actions.

Prosecution also showed court a photo of Dr. Rugomwa’s blood-stained apron recovered from the crime scene.

Rugomwa and his defense lawyers were not present as court read its verdict on Monday. 

But they could challenge the ruling in court within 30 days.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw