Victoire Ingabire

Victoire Ingabire is a leading Rwandan opposition figure, advocate for democratic reform, and founder of the political party Development and Liberty for All (DALFA-Umurinzi). First arrested in 2010 after returning from exile for leading an opposition coalition, she was later convicted and imprisoned before receiving a presidential pardon in 2018. On June 19, 2025, she was arrested again without a warrant after testifying in a trial involving eight of her party members and an independent journalist. She remains in detention awaiting trial, and her case continues to raise serious concerns about political freedom, due process, and opposition rights in Rwanda.

About

Country

Rwanda
Rwanda

Detained

June 2025 - Present

Current Status

Detained, Awaiting trial

WGAD

Opinion Received

Charges

  • Establishing or joining a criminal organization
  • Conspiring to commit crimes against the government
  • Inciting unrest or disorder among the population

Timeline

  • June 19, 2025
    Arrested
  • July 2025
    Bail denied; remained in pre-trial detention
  • November 25, 2025
    HRF submitted a petition to the WGAD
  • March 26, 2026
    Rwanda’s Supreme Court rejected her constitutional challenge to the arrest and detention
  • July 2026
    Received a favorable opinion from the WGAD

Read the WGAD opinion

Our Publications On The Case

Media

High Court rejects Ingabire's objections, orders trial to proceed
The News Time Rwanda Logo
Media
Jun 16, 2026
High Court rejects Ingabire’s objections, orders trial to proceed
The High Court in Kigali on Tuesday, June 16 ruled that the trial of Victoire Umuhoza Ingabire proceed, dismissing objections she had raised on Monday that she was not ready to stand trial on charges related to forming a criminal organisation.

HRF International Legal Team

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