Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) have confirmed the arrest of Christopher Kayumba, a former lecturer at the School of Journalism and Communication, University of Rwanda, whom they said is being investigated for alleged sexual assault.

According to the RIB spokesperson, Thierry Murangira, Kayumba is being detained at Kicukiro RIB as investigations into allegations that he sexually assaulted different women continue.

"Today, RIB detained Dr. Christopher Kayumba after a long-time investigation on rape and attempt to rape crimes he is accused of by different people,” RIB announced on its Twitter account on Thursday.

Accusations that Kayumba sexually assaulted one of his female students became public in March this year which prompted RIB to launch an investigation about the crime.

Murangira told The New Times that Kayumba is suspected of rape and attempted rape of two women in 2017 at his residence in Nyabisindu Cell, Remera Sector, Gasabo District.

He said that the file is being compiled and will in due course be forwarded to the National Public Prosecution Authority for further management.

If convicted, sexual assault is punished by between 10 to 15 year imprisonment while attempt to rape is punished by between 5 and 7.5 year imprisonment.

Why investigated in custody?

Following the accusations against Kayumba in March he was summoned to answer on charges against him.

Murangira explained that investigations proceeded while he was out of custody "because, at that time, there was no sufficient evidence.”

"It is a procedure. Investigations continued where evidence and testimonies were gathered. And the findings of investigations currently show satisfactory grounds to believe that he committed the offences. Therefore the investigator decided to provisionally detain him,” he said.

He said that the investigator is allowed by law to detain a person, taking into consideration other circumstances related to the conduct and behavior of the suspect, the category and the gravity of the offence. 

"In regard to Dr. Kayumba Christopher’s case, based on the gravity of the offence he is accused of, having a criminal background or being a recidivist and for the fact that he is being accused by many victims, RIB took enough time to investigate the alleged offences, and due to the evidence we have, we find the decision to provisionally detain him is appropriate,” he explained.

Explaining why the alleged victims of sexual assault took long to file complaints against the suspect, Murangira said that this could be due to different reasons including threats by the accused, fear social stigma, among others.