Actor ‘Ndimbati’ appears in court, denies defilement charges
Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Prosecution on Wednesday, March 23, arraigned local actor Jean-Bosco Uwihoreye, commonly known as Ndimbati, who is suspected of defilement and intoxicating a minor.

Ndimbati was arrested a few days after a young woman testified, in an interview with local YouTube channel, that the actor sexually exploited her back in 2019 and impregnated her at the age of 17.

She later gave birth to twins whom she now claims she is struggling to feed because the suspect failed to keep his promise that he would financially help her to raise them.

During the bail hearing that took place on Wedneaday at Nyarugenge Primary Court, the suspect was accompanied by three lawyers.

According to the prosecution, they have evidence to the effect that the suspect committed the accused crimes, including based on the victim’s testimony that she wanted to join the cinema industry with his help but ended up being defiled by the suspect.

It was heard in court he instead made her drink Amarula, an alcoholic beverage which he told her was a mixture of milk, chocolate, and creme.

However, the next morning, she found herself sleeping in a lodge with Ndimbati besides her. 

In addition, the prosecutor said that they have various accounts to the effect that Ndimbati interacted with the victim several times and he admitted to siring the children during the interrogation among other reasons.

The prosecutor concluded by asking that the suspect be remanded for 30 days, there are reasonable grounds to suspect him of the crimes, and that the crimes he is charged with are punishable by over two years in prison.

However, Ndimbati, who is popular in the local drama called Papa Sava, denied all the alleged crimes saying that he was trapped by people who wanted to soil his reputation.

He also pointed out that he was blackmailed by the local YouTuber - the same who published the story - claiming that he sought from him Rwf2million in order to 'kill' the story.

He further said that he has always taken care of the children the best way he could.

Ndimbati also claimed that the alleged victim was not a minor by the time he sired the children with her, saying that the documents presented to court showing her age were forged.

The court will issue the bail ruling next week on March 28.