Man arrested for fatally stabbing his father

Rwanda National Police (RNP) has urged the public to always devise means of settling family disputes amicably as a measure of avoiding violence that could lead to fatal bodily injuries.

The call comes in the wake of a recent incident in Rulindo District involving Jean Damascene Uwayezu, a 27-year-old man who brutally assaulted and hacked his father in the head, leaving him in a critical condition.

The incident occurred in Mugote Cell, Ngoma Sector – and was foiled by residents who stopped the scuffle between father and son and immediately alerted police.

Police arrived at the scene immediately and arrested the suspect, Uwayezu, while his father was rushed to Remera Health Centre in a critical condition.

Police Spokesperson for Northern Region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Andre Hakizimana, said that such dangerous cases of assault are caused by drunkenness and drug abuse, and urged communities to always intervene and try to solve family wrangles before they escalate into criminal offences.

“Some families have longstanding wrangles and sometimes resort to violence. You find people abusing drugs or alcohol and end up committing dangerous offences due to these wrangles. It is advisable to report wrangles to local leaders so that they can mediate and solve them rather than trying to put the law in one’s hands,” he said.

Hakizimana went on to add that, “Communities should always report to police and to local authorities whenever they suspect that a family feud is likely to escalate into violent actions.”

He also urged communities to tackle domestic violence by promoting community policing and participating in sensitization campaigns that denounce the trade of narcotics.

Offences of assault are criminalized by article 148 of the penal code which stipulates that, “Any person who intentionally causes injuries to another, or beats or commits any serious acts of violence against another person shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of 6 months to 2 years and a fine of Rwf 100,000 to Rwf 500,000 or one of these penalties.”

The article further adds that, “If the offender has acted with premeditation or ambush, he or she shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of 2 years to 3 years and a fine of Rwf 100,000 to Rwf500, 000.”