KIGALI - The two suspects in the murder of local journalist, Jean Leonard Rugambage, yesterday appeared in court but their case was adjourned after one of them did not have a lawyer.

Didace Nduguyangu, who was allegedly hired by Antoine Karemera to kill Rugambage, could not find a lawyer to represent him in time, prompting court to adjourn the case to Wednesday.

The two suspects were arraigned before Nyarugenge Intermediate Court where the prosecution revealed that it is ready to present firm evidence linking the two to the murder of Rugambage.

Rugambage was shot dead on June 24, as he entered his home in Nyakabanda in the outskirts of the city.

According to the Prosecution, Rugambage was shot three times in the head by Nduguyangu, who has already pleaded guilty to the act.

In his testimony, Nduguyangu pleaded guilty and said that Karemera contracted him to kill Rugambage because the victim had killed Karemera’s brother in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Before 1994, Karemera’s brother was a branch manager of a bank in Kamonyi District.

Rugambage was once charged by Gacaca courts for his role in the Genocide, was imprisoned for a period of three years and released in 2007.

According to the prosecution, Rugambage’s release angered Karemera who paid Nduguyangu Rwf500,000 for the hit.
Nduguyangu, a demobilized soldier, used a gun he illegally acquired from the Democratic Republic of Congo to kill the journalist.

After committing the act, the assailant allegedly hid the gun at Mount Kigali then proceeded to meet Karemera who was at a bar waiting.

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