MUHANGA – The former Rector of the Catholic University of Kabgayi (UCK), Father Josephat Hitimana, has for the third time been acquitted of Genocide charges.

Fr. Hitimana was accused of being responsible for the death of Thomas Ruhakana, who was an employee at the Diocese canteen, during the Genocide.

However, Hitimana was earlier in July cleared of the charges by the Kimironko Gacaca court.

Hitimana was recently summoned after a witness, Augustine Ngamba claimed to have fresh evidence implicating him in the death of his relative, Ruhakana.

The Kicukiro Gacaca Appeal Court that sat yesterday ruled that the fresh evidence brought against the accused did not prove beyond any reasonable doubt that he was responsible for the offence.

During the trial the accused denied the charges leveled against him.

Genocide survivors were among those who also defended the accused with some claiming the charges were trumped up.

Court instead sentenced one Fidele Kalimwabo, to 19 years imprisonment after finding him guilty of conspiracy in the death of the victim.

In the same case Hyacintha Murekatete was handed a 15 year jail term for misleading court by giving false evidence.

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