The High Court in Kigali has begun hearing the appeal of Moses Turahirwa, a prominent fashion designer and founder of Moshions, who is challenging a lower court decision that convicted him of drug use and document forgery.
Turahirwa is appealing a 2024 ruling by the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court, which found him guilty of consuming cannabis and forging documents. The court sentenced him to three years in prison and imposed a fine of Rwf 2 million. He filed an appeal against the verdict and remained in his legal status at the time, as provided for by law, pending the outcome of the appeal.
Turahirwa’s legal troubles date back to April 27, 2023, when he was first arrested over allegations of drug use and document forgery. In May 2023, while appearing before the Nyarugenge Primary Court, he admitted to consuming cannabis. He was later granted bail by the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court on July 15, 2023.
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Following a trial in 2024, the intermediate court convicted him on both counts and handed down the three-year prison sentence and fine, which he is now contesting before the High Court.
The High Court started examining his appeal on February 16.
However, while awaiting the appeal date and proceedings, Turahirwa was rearrested in April 2025 on separate allegations related to drug use. According to the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), forensic tests conducted by the Rwanda Forensic Institute (RFI) confirmed the presence of illegal substances in his system.
In that second case, prosecutors charged him with the consumption, transportation, and storage of narcotic drugs, specifically cannabis. The court acquitted him of transportation and storage due to insufficient evidence but found him guilty of consumption. He was sentenced to one year in prison, a sentence he is currently serving, and did not appeal.
The High Court’s decision in the ongoing appeal will determine whether the three-year prison sentence and fine imposed by the Intermediate Court will be upheld or overturned. If upheld, Turahirwa will be required to serve the three-year sentence in addition to the one-year term he is currently serving. If overturned or reduced, it could affect the duration of his imprisonment.