Miss Rwanda Muheto Receives a Suspended Three-Month Sentence

The Kicukiro Primary Court has ruled that Miss Nshuti Muheto Divine, crowned Miss Rwanda in 2022, is guilty of driving under the influence and driving without a valid license, sentencing her to a suspended three-month jail term, suspended for a year.

The court also ruled that Miss Muheto was not guilty of fleeing the scene following the accident, as alleged by the prosecution.

Miss Muheto faced three charges: driving under the influence, driving without a valid license, and fleeing the scene after causing or contributing to an accident. The charges relate to an incident on the night of October 20, 2024, when she reportedly collided with a curb and an electric pole while under the influence of alcohol.

The prosecution argued that she fled the scene after the crash and requested a sentence of one year and eight months. In her defense, Miss Muheto admitted to driving under the influence and driving without a license but denied fleeing the scene, stating that she moved about 100 meters away to avoid potential harm.

The court reviewed the charges and applicable penalties. Under a 1987 law, driving under the influence can result in a sentence of up to two months, with her blood alcohol level reportedly exceeding the legal limit of 0.8%. Additionally, driving without a license carries a potential sentence of up to two months in jail or a fine of 10,000 Rwandan francs. The court found her guilty of both these offenses.

Regarding the charge of fleeing, the court found no intent on her part to evade the scene.

The court ruled that Miss Nshuti Muheto Divine is guilty on two of the three charges and imposed a suspended three-month sentence, effective for one year, along with a fine of 190,000 Rwandan francs. She was released immediately following the court’s decision.