A young man accused of killing his father by slitting his throat has appeared in a public trial in Gasabo District, where prosecutors are seeking a life sentence.
Tuyishimire Israel appeared before court on Monday, October 12, 2026, facing a charge of intentional murder over an incident that allegedly occurred on August 2 in Nyagasozi Village, Kabuye Cell, Jabana Sector, Gasabo District.
Prosecutors allege that Tuyishimire killed his father using a knife.
During the hearing, Tuyishimire admitted killing his father but maintained that he had not planned to do so, claiming he acted in self-defence after his father provoked him.
According to TV/Radio1, Tuyishimire told prosecutors that the dispute began with an argument about a football match between Al Hilal and Rayon Sports.
He said the two later went to a bar, but he returned home before his father. According to his account, he was already asleep when his father arrived carrying a knife, prompting a confrontation that ended with him slitting his father’s throat.
“I was startled by someone I saw holding a knife. When I looked closely, I thought he had come to fight me. We struggled, and the knife cut my hand, but I was physically stronger than him. Eventually, I slit his throat because he was also aggressive and saying that we had to finish it,” he said.
He added that his relationship with his father had been difficult, claiming he had endured a great deal in their interactions.
“That is how things happened between my father and me. Even before this incident, my life with him was difficult, and I kept trying to endure it,” he said.
Tuyishimire pleaded for forgiveness, kneeling before prosecutors as he apologised to his family and the wider community. He insisted that he had never intended to kill his father.
“I never woke up one morning and said, ‘Today, I am going to kill my father.’ I ask the Rwandan community and my family to forgive me. I never had any plan to kill him,” he said.
The prosecution requested a life sentence, while the defence asked the court to consider a reduced punishment.
His lawyer argued that the killing followed provocation, while acknowledging that such circumstances did not justify the act. He urged the court to consider the circumstances surrounding the incident when determining the sentence.
“We believe he committed this offence following provocation. We do not condone that, but it is a matter the court should consider and weigh in accordance with the law. In reaching its decision, we ask the court not to conclude that he killed his father with prior intent,” the lawyer said.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the judge closed the hearing and announced that the ruling would be delivered on October 26, 2026, at the same public venue where the trial took place.
