Kigali – Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza appeared before the Kigali High Court on June 15, 2026, where she informed the court that she was not prepared to proceed with the substantive hearing of her case, citing several concerns she believes have hindered her ability to adequately prepare her defense. Prosecutors, however, dismissed her arguments, describing them as attempts to delay the judicial process.
Ingabire is facing multiple charges, including creating a criminal organization, inciting public disorder, undermining the authority of the government, disseminating false information or propaganda intended to tarnish Rwanda’s image abroad, spreading rumors, conspiring to commit offenses against the state, and organizing unlawful demonstrations.
The allegations are linked to training sessions reportedly conducted in 2021 for members of DALFA-Umurinzi, a political party that is not officially registered in Rwanda. According to the prosecution, participants received training from foreign facilitators using the book Blueprint for Revolution, authored by Serbian activist Srdja Popovic.
Several individuals who attended the training sessions, under the coordination of Sylvain Sibomana, are being prosecuted in the same case alongside Ingabire.
As the hearing began and before the prosecution presented its arguments, Ingabire interrupted the proceedings to notify the court that she was not ready to continue with the trial.
She told the judges that she faced several obstacles that had prevented her from preparing an adequate defense. Ingabire referenced a letter submitted to the court on June 10, 2026, by her legal team, consisting of attorneys Gatera Gashabana, Bikotwa Bruce, and Gashema Felicien, outlining challenges they encountered while preparing the case.
According to Ingabire, her concerns extend beyond legal preparation and include physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. She outlined four main reasons she believes justify postponing the proceedings.
One of her primary concerns is her inability to meet with co-defendants who are facing similar charges. She argued that although she is accused of participating in a criminal organization and conspiring against the government alongside individuals who attended the training sessions, she herself did not participate in those trainings. She maintained that meeting with her co-accused is necessary to better understand the allegations and coordinate her defense strategy.
Ingabire told the court that correctional authorities had not permitted such meetings, despite her requests. She emphasized that access to the other defendants would help her adequately prepare for the charges she shares with them.
Another concern raised by Ingabire involved communication with her family. She informed the court that most of her relatives reside outside Rwanda and that since her detention she has only been allowed to communicate with her husband. She said she has not been able to speak with her children and added that her husband is currently hospitalized, limiting his ability to assist with matters related to her legal defense. She further cited international standards recognizing the rights of detainees to maintain contact with family members.
Ingabire also raised issues related to her living conditions, stating that certain personal necessities, including toothpaste and skin-care products, are not consistently available. She argued that such challenges negatively affect her ability to focus on preparing her defense.
Additionally, she claimed that restrictions had affected her ability to practice her faith freely and requested that the court ensure that her fundamental rights, including religious freedom, are respected while she remains in detention.
Members of her legal team supported her concerns. Attorney Gashema informed the court that multiple letters addressing these issues had been sent to relevant authorities on May 18, June 2, and June 11, 2026. Attorney Bikotwa argued that there was no legitimate reason preventing Ingabire from meeting with her co-defendants, while Attorney Gatera Gashabana requested that the judges personally visit the detention facility to assess the conditions under which their client is being held.
The prosecution strongly opposed the request to postpone the proceedings. The prosecutor argued that none of the concerns raised constituted legal grounds for delaying the trial and characterized the arguments as efforts to obstruct or prolong the judicial process.
According to the prosecution, the inability to meet with co-defendants does not violate any legal requirement and therefore cannot justify suspending the case. The prosecutor noted that a more significant concern would exist if Ingabire had been denied access to her lawyers, which he said was not the case.
Addressing the issue of religious practice, the prosecution maintained that inmates in Rwanda’s correctional facilities are allowed to worship and that religious freedom is protected. Regarding complaints about toothpaste and skin-care products, the prosecutor argued that such matters do not warrant postponement, particularly since Ingabire has continued to have access to medical services.
During the hearing, the presiding judge asked Ingabire how many meetings she believed would be necessary with her co-defendants in order to prepare adequately for trial. She responded that at least four meetings would be required.
The court also instructed her lawyers to provide documentation demonstrating that they had formally requested permission from prison authorities and other relevant institutions for such meetings.
Following lengthy exchanges between the defense and prosecution, the court adjourned the hearing and scheduled the continuation of the case for June 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. The next session is expected to address the concerns raised before determining how the proceedings will move forward.
