Justice: DJ Toxxyk released, Semuhungu, Djihad and Papy Nestor seek suspension sentence

Courts in Rwanda have issued rulings in a number of separate cases involving a popular DJ, a man accused of rape, and four individuals facing charges linked to the distribution of explicit content online.

On 4 May 2026, the Primary Court of Nyarugenge found Arnaud Shema De Bosscher, widely known as DJ Toxxyk, guilty of offences including manslaughter, drug use and fleeing the scene of an accident.

He was fined 1.5 million Rwandan francs and handed a three-month community service sentence, suspended for six months. The court ordered his immediate release.

Community service in Rwanda is often used as an alternative to prison sentences of up to five years, requiring offenders to carry out unpaid public work such as infrastructure development or environmental protection.

In a separate ruling, the Primary Court of Kicukiro ordered that Eric Semuhungu be held in provisional detention for 30 days at Mageragere Correctional Facility.

He is accused of rape and distributing explicit material online.

The court said there was sufficient evidence for him to be tried on those charges, but dismissed an additional allegation of blackmail, citing a lack of supporting evidence from a cybercrime report.

Judges noted that the remaining charges carry potential prison sentences ranging from three to fifteen years.

They ruled that Mr Semuhungu should remain deteined in Mageragere, while investigations continue. He has 30 days to appeal the decision.

Meanwhile, the Court of Nyarugenge has been hearing a case involving four men accused of publishing and distributing explicit content using digital platforms.

The defendants are Uzabakiriho Cyprien known as Djihad, Kalisa John known as K-John, Ishimwe François Xavier and Kwizera Papy Nestor.

Three of them are currently in detention at Mageragere Correctional Facility, while K-John is being tried while on bail.

During proceedings, Mr Uzabakiriho initially denied the charges but later asked the court for leniency.

Kwizera also appealed for a reduced or suspended sentence, saying his time in detention had led him to change his behaviour.

For Ishimwe, he rejected all accusations, despite prosecutors presenting a cybercrime report alleging he had shared and sold explicit videos.

Kalisa told the court that although he had received the material, he had not distributed it.

Prosecutors have asked the court to uphold the charges against for Kalisa, arguing that there is sufficient evidence linking him to the publication of the material.

The court is expected to deliver its judgment on 19 May 2026 at 3:00 pm.

The rulings come amid ongoing efforts by Rwanda’s judicial system to address a range of criminal offences, including those involving digital platforms.