The High Court in Kigali has fined opposition figure Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza Rwf500,000 after rejecting her request to have the three judges assigned to her case replaced, saying the application could delay the proceedings.
Ingabire appeared before the court on September 8, 2026, when she challenged the composition of the three-judge panel hearing her case. The court dismissed the request and set September 18 for the continuation of proceedings.
Ingabire is facing seven charges, including forming or joining a criminal organisation, inciting unrest or disorder, undermining the existing government and disseminating false information or propaganda intended to turn foreign countries against Rwanda.
The case also includes other charges linked to alleged activities involving members of DALFA-Umurinzi, the political organisation founded by Ingabire.
The High Court began preliminary proceedings in June after Ingabire requested additional time to prepare her defence. She told the court that she needed more time to review the case, meet her co-defendants and consult her family about securing legal representation.
The court granted her additional time and directed her to submit her defence preparations by the end of July, ahead of the resumption of proceedings in September.
When she returned to court on September 8, Ingabire again raised an objection to the judges assigned to hear her case. The court subsequently rejected the request and imposed the Rwf500,000 fine over concerns that the application would delay the trial.
Ingabire, who founded DALFA-Umurinzi, an organisation that is not registered as a political party in Rwanda, was arrested on June 19, 2025.
Prosecutors accuse her of involvement in activities linked to alleged training of some DALFA-Umurinzi members, which they say was intended to support efforts to challenge the government. Ingabire denies involvement in organising the alleged activities.
Her trial is continuing before the High Court in Kigali, with the next hearing scheduled for September 18.
