Nyarugenge Intermediate Court on Friday, May 22, sentenced Arnaud Shema De Bosscher, popularly known as DJ Toxxyk, to one year and six months in prison after finding him guilty of four charges related to a fatal road accident and drug-related offences. He was also ordered to pay a fine of Rwf1,050,000. ALSO READ: Why prosecutors want five-year sentence for DJ Toxxyk The ruling followed an appeal filed by the prosecution, which argued that the sentence previously handed down by the Nyarugenge Primary Court was too lenient considering the gravity and consequences of the offences. The case stems from a fatal accident that occurred in the early hours of December 20, 2025, along Sopetrade Road in Kigali, where DJ Toxxyk allegedly struck and killed Police Constable Fred Mushabe, who was directing traffic at the time. The charges against him include involuntary manslaughter, fleeing the scene after causing an accident, refusing to undergo a breathalyzer test, and drug-related offences. The lower court had sentenced DJ Toxxyk to pay a fine of Rwf1,050,000 and perform three months of community service, suspended for six months. ALSO READ: DJ Toxxyk fined, sentenced to community service During the appeal hearing held on May 15, prosecutors requested Nyarugenge Intermediate Court to impose a five-year prison sentence and a fine of Rwf2.21 million. The defence had rejected the prosecutors' arguments, insisting that the sentence issued by the primary court was lawful and justified. Delivering the verdict on Friday, the presiding judge said the court considered the concurrence of offences committed by the accused and noted that the combined sentence could have reached four years. However, the court reduced the punishment to one year and six months due to mitigating factors. The judge cited the offender's guilty plea, his cooperation and remorse shown during the proceedings, forgiveness from the family of the deceased, and the fact that he was a first-time offender.
