Three men from Nyanza District are facing criminal charges after two people died following a violent attack over alleged goat theft.
The incident occurred on January 8, 2026, at around 8 a.m. in Buruba Village, Butara Cell, Kigoma Sector, Nyanza District.
According to the Rwanda Prosecution Authority, the suspects including one of the alleged goat thieves admitted to striking the victims with sticks and stones on the head and other parts of the body. The attack reportedly occurred after the victims refused to disclose the location of the stolen goat.
The High Council of Huye Prosecution said that a total of eight people are suspected in connection with the case. Three have been arrested, while five others remain at large and are being actively pursued by authorities.
If found guilty of causing death during assault, the suspects could face life imprisonment under Article 107 of Law No. 68/2018 of August 30, 2018, which governs criminal offences in Rwanda.
Authorities have urged communities to report thefts and other disputes to the police instead of taking matters into their own hands, warning that violent retaliation can lead to severe criminal charges.
