The Kicukiro Primary Court in Kigali on Monday, October 21, ordered for the remand of two men suspected of involvement in the death of Olga Kayirangwa, a 25-year-old woman who died while visiting their home in Kicukiro, Kigali, on September 26. The two suspects, Fred Nasagambe, 28, and Gideon Gatare, 29, are charged with murder and complicity in murder, respectively. Delivering the bail ruling, the presiding judge said there are reasonable grounds to suspect them of the crimes since results of a DNA test carried out by Rwanda Forensic Institute showed that the deceased had been engaged in sexual activity before her death, in addition to the fact that she had some injuries on her neck and chest. Kayirangwa died under mysterious circumstances after visiting Nasagambe’s home at around 8 PM on September 26. The prosecutors say she died at the home, though the defendants say she died at Dream Medical Centre (DMC) where they had taken her for medical attention. Nasagambe told court that during the visit, Kayirangwa went to his bedroom to use the toilet but did not come out for an extended period. Court heard that when he went to check on her, he found that she had collapsed and was struggling to breathe. Court then heard that he panicked and called Gatare, a friend of his who is a pharmacist, to help resuscitate her. In the meantime, they also tried to contact both an ambulance and the police, court heard, but after failing to get any assistance, they decided to take Kayirangwa directly to DMC in Kicukiro, from where she died. During the bail hearing that took place on October 18, the two men, alongside their lawyer, argued that Kayirangwa had a history of asthma and had previously been diagnosed with breast cancer at King Faisal Hospital. These conditions, they said, may have contributed to her death. Prosecutors cited a report from the medic who received Kayirangwa at DMC, indicating she was already dead upon arrival, suggesting the men may have taken her to the hospital to deflect blame. The prosecutors also cited witnesses’ accounts, including Kayirangwa's co-workers, who stated she appeared healthy earlier that day. While Nasagambe maintained that he never engaged in sexual activity with Kayirangwa, a preliminary report from Rwanda Forensic Institute indicated that a DNA test on her body showed that semen was detected in her private parts. In delivering the bail ruling, the presiding judge noted that there are reasonable grounds for suspicion, based on the DNA test results and the presence of injuries on Kayirangwa's neck and chest. An autopsy report from Rwanda Forensic Institute confirmed these injuries. But the defendants claim such injuries might have been caused by a CPR they performed on her. The judge resolved to remand them as investigations continue.
