The Executive Secretary of Mamba Sector in Gisagara District, Gatongore James, has denied allegations that he received a FRW 200,000 bribe through Ntayomba Jean Bosco, whom the prosecution describes as an intermediary in the case.
The appeal hearing in the case was held on September 9, 2026, with all the accused challenging convictions handed down by the Huye Intermediate Court.
Gatongore Denies Receiving a Bribe
Gatongore is accused of soliciting and receiving a FRW 200,000 bribe from Ntayomba.
According to the prosecution, Ntayomba acted as an intermediary by soliciting money from residents and allegedly handing it over to Gatongore. Some of the residents from whom money was allegedly solicited, including Emmanuel Niyomugabo and Vuguziga Martin, are also facing charges.
The accused were arrested on November 27, 2025, while Vuguziga was arrested later as investigations continued. They are all being held at Huye Prison.
The case reportedly emerged after a resident who was allegedly asked for a bribe reported the matter to security authorities, who then organized an operation to arrest the suspects.
Case Linked to Traditional Alcohol
The allegations reportedly arose from claims that some residents wanted to produce an illegal alcoholic beverage locally known as “Nyirantare.”
The Huye Intermediate Court previously convicted Gatongore of soliciting and receiving a bribe and sentenced him to seven years and six months in prison.
Ntayomba was convicted of complicity and received the same sentence. Vuguziga, who was considered to have offered the bribe, was also sentenced to seven years and six months, while Niyomugabo was sentenced to five years in prison after admitting that he gave money to Ntayomba but saying he did not know that it constituted a bribe. All the accused appealed the judgment.
Gatongore Explains His Relationship With Ntayomba
Gatongore acknowledged that he was friends with Ntayomba and said security officials arrested them after finding them together in a vehicle.
However, he argued that their presence together did not prove that Ntayomba had given him money.
“Ntayomba, whom I am accused of saying gave me money, I found him among the residents because we know each other very well. He was also part of the security team that normally protects the sector. Normally, a leader does not move around alone. I went to see him at a bar, and we left together because I wanted to buy fuel for the vehicle.”
Gatongore said the FRW 200,000 found in his possession belonged to Vuguziga’s wife.
He explained that the woman had a dispute with her husband and that they had brought the matter to him in his capacity as a local government official. According to Gatongore, the woman then decided that the money should be transferred through him. He said he withdrew the money and later handed it to Vuguziga’s wife.
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Lawyers Challenge Evidence
Gatongore’s lawyers challenged the evidence presented against him, including the money allegedly recovered from him and the circumstances surrounding his arrest alongside Ntayomba.
They argued that the evidence had been obtained unlawfully. One of the lawyers said, “A search is normally conducted when a representative of the local authorities is present, but no such representative was there. Therefore, the search was conducted contrary to the law.”
Gatongore asked the court to acquit and release him. Alternatively, he asked the court to consider his good conduct and contribution to the country and impose a three-year suspended prison sentence if he were found guilty.
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Ntayomba Admits Receiving Money
Ntayomba admitted receiving FRW 200,000 but denied that anyone had sent him to collect the money. He argued that the charge of soliciting and receiving a bribe should therefore be dropped and replaced with obtaining another person’s property through fraud.
Ntayomba admitted soliciting money from residents but maintained that no one had instructed him to do so. He also denied that Gatongore had sent him to collect the money. He asked the court to impose a one-year suspended sentence.
Other Accused Deny Offering a Bribe
Niyomugabo Emmanuel admitted giving money to Ntayomba to help him obtain documents needed to produce traditional alcohol.
He said he knew Ntayomba had access to local government officials but did not know that the money constituted a bribe. He asked the court to give him a suspended sentence.
Vuguziga also denied bribing the sector executive secretary. He said the payment was connected to a dispute he had with his wife and that the money was allegedly channelled to the local government official through that matter. He asked the court to acquit him.
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Prosecution Defends Original Convictions
The prosecution argued that Gatongore himself admitted being friends with Ntayomba and meeting him at a bar, where Ntayomba allegedly gave him the money.
Regarding the alleged search, the prosecution said no search had taken place. Instead, it argued that security authorities had received information that a crime was about to be committed and went to arrest the person allegedly involved.
The prosecution maintained that bribery is normally carried out secretly and that security officials acted on information they had received. When they arrived at the location, they found Gatongore and Ntayomba together.
It further argued that Ntayomba was attempting to avoid responsibility in order to have his sentence reduced, and that there was no basis for changing the legal classification of the offence.
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Prosecution Questions Gatongore’s Explanation
The prosecution also argued that Gatongore, who denies receiving money from Vuguziga, had not provided documentation showing that he immediately handed the money to Vuguziga’s wife.
It emphasized that payments made through government institutions are generally expected to be supported by documentation.
Regarding Niyomugabo, the prosecution said he had admitted giving money to obtain documents for producing alcohol.
It argued that the documents he sought could only be obtained through the sector office and that they could not be issued without following the required procedures.
The prosecution also noted that Niyomugabo had not produced a receipt showing that he had legitimately paid for or received the documents.
Court Decision Expected in October
The prosecution asked the court to uphold the sentences imposed by the Huye Intermediate Court, arguing that the original judgment contained no error.
The appeal court is expected to deliver its decision in October 2026.
