Priest cleared of genocide charges

MUHANGA - The former Rector of the Catholic University of Kabgayi (UCK) has been acquitted of genocide charges. Father Jospephat Hitimana was tried by a special Kimironko Gacaca Court on July 28 and 29 for allegedly playing a role in the death of two employees at the diocese canteen including one victim Thomas Ruhakana. Court cleared Fr. Hitimana of the charges on the basis of lack of concrete evidence.The same court sentenced the other co-accused, Fidel Karimwabo, Leonidas Habiyambere and Andrea Musonera to 19 years in prison. Court said the defense witnesses in the co-accused cases gave reliable evidence. During the trial, Hitimana denied the charges, arguing that he was never involved in the killings at Kabgayi Diocese; this was also corroborated by Genocide survivors. The charges had been brought up by one genocide inmate, Fidele Kalimwabo. This is the second time that Fr. Hitimana has been acquitted. He had earlier on in May 22 of this year been cleared of the same charges. Ends