The Muhoza Primary Court, in Musanze District, has ordered that Dr. Bishop Mugiraneza Samuel, former head of the Shyira Diocese in the Anglican Church, be detained for 30 days provisionally.
The court stated that there are strong reasons requiring him to be held in custody, especially since the charges he faces carry penalties exceeding two years of imprisonment.
Bishop Mugisha was not present in the courtroom, but his family members, pastors from the Anglican Church, and local residents were in attendance. Some of the witnesses included former pastors of the Shyira Diocese, such as Pastor Kabaragasa Jean Baptiste and Pastor Kubwayo Charles, who were dismissed from their duties.
Bishop Mugisha is being prosecuted for three offenses: making biased decisions involving favoritism or nepotism, embezzlement of funds, and unlawfully gaining personal benefits.
He was arrested by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) on January 21, 2025, after resigning from the leadership of the Shyira Diocese.
