SOUTHERN PROVINCE

NYANZA - The Busasamana court of lower instance on Thursday 10 ruled that Dr. Tatien Bucyana, the former director of Nyanza hospital together with three other co-accused be remanded for 30 days as investigations into an abortion allegedly conducted by the quartet continue.

The three other co-accused are: Dr. Chikulu Pole Pole Marcel and two nurses from Muhororo in Ngororero district; Theobard Mbatuyimana and Marie-Aimée Nsengamungu.

In his ruling, Vincent Kamanzi, the President of the Busasamana court of lower instance said that releasing them would jeopardize investigations into the case.

The ruling comes after a preliminary hearing of the case against the quartet which was held in camera on Wednesday 9 at the Busasamana court of lower instance.

Bucyana, Chikulu and Mbatuyimana, are accused of helping Aimee Nsengamungu (co-accused) to abort at the Nyanza district hospital where Bucyana worked as hospital director before being transferred to Kiziguro hospital in the Eastern Province amidst allegations of mismanagement and bickering during his tenure at Nyanza hospital.

Abortion is a crime punishable under the penal code. They face a minimum of five years in jail if convicted. They all however appealed against the temporary detention on Thursday.

History of the case

The abortion case came to the limelight early this year when Alphonse Nirenganya, then a nurse at the hospital, reported the matter to Police.

It is alleged that Nirenganya ‘stole’ a medical file containing details of the abortion and handed it over to Police for investigation.

The situation later turned dramatic as Nirenganya was suspended by Dr. Bucyana only to be reinstated by the hospital board chaired by Dr. Laurien Nyabyenda. 

The drama did not end. In May this year Nirenganya, the whistle blower, was suspended from the Medical profession by the Minister of Health Dr Damascene Ntawukuriryayo.

How the abortion was allegedly conducted

It is alleged that Marie-Aimée Nsengat of medical dues.

After the abortion allegedly conducted by Dr. Chikulu, Marie Aimee Nsengamungu accompanied by Théobard Mbatuyimana refused to be admitted at the hospital after the abortion.

It is also alleged that the two: Nsengamungu and Mbatuyimana were given a hospital vehicle by Dr. Tatien Bucyana to transport them back to Muhororo in Ngororero district.

In his ruling the judge of Busasamana court said that circumstances surrounding the preferential treatment accorded to Marie-Aimée Nsengamungu and the conflicting information given by the accused needed to be investigated further.

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