After barely two months in custody, local artist François Nsengiyumva has been released from jail where he was suspected of sexually assaulting his 13-year-old house help.

The decision to release artist Nsengiyumva was taken by Nyagatare High Court after finding out that the evidence for the crimes that he allegedly committed are baseless.

The prosecution had accused the Rwagitima hit-maker of sexually assaulting the teenager working at his house because she was infected with sexually transmitted diseases that Nsengiyumva also had.  

However, the court decided that the offence is baseless as medical records indicate that the girl was diagnosed with the disease way before she was employed at Nsengiyumva’s house.

Also known by his stage name, Gisupusupu, the 45-year old was arrested in late June, charged with sexual assault and child labour. 

Appearing before Kiramuruzi primary court for the first time on July 22, he was remanded for the next 30 days in Rwamagana prison.

But he appealed and the decision to release him was taken as the verdict of his appeal on Thursday, August 26.

However, he was asked to regularly report himself to the court every last Wednesday of the month.

Talking to the media, Nsengiyumva’s lawyer, Boniface Nizeyimana, expressed joy and hailed the court for delivering what he termed as fair justice.