Two Rwandan mining agents charged over alleged illegal mining
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Umuseke
Two Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board agents, Uwamahoro Fiona and Assouman Bienfait, are facing charges including covering up the alleged illegal mining by entrepreneur Nyabyenda Emmanuel. The prosecution sought 30 days’ pre-trial detention when they appeared before Nyamabuye Primary Court in Muhanga on 22 October 2026, Umuseke reports.
Two Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) agents, the public body responsible for overseeing mining and petroleum activities, are facing charges of helping an investor mine minerals without authorisation. Uwamahoro Fiona and Assouman Bienfait appeared before Nyamabuye Primary Court in Muhanga on 22 October 2026, according to the Rwandan outlet Umuseke.
The prosecution is seeking their pre-trial detention for 30 days. It accuses them of failing to report a serious offence, complicity in illegal mining and mineral trading, and participating in theft. Investor Nyabyenda Emmanuel is alleged to have carried out mining without a permit through Rugendabari Mining.
The prosecution says the two agents inspected the site, signed Rugendabari Mining’s register and submitted their report two months after the visit. The defendants maintain that they had in fact inspected another company, CEAVMC, which mistakenly showed them Rugendabari Mining’s register. Their lawyers have asked for their immediate release, but have not yet made detailed submissions on the allegations.
The prosecution says detention is justified by the risk of interference with the investigation and the destruction of evidence concerning other people who may be prosecuted. Nyamabuye Court is due to rule on the requests.
