(Kigali) – Divine Nshuti Muheto, the reigning Miss Rwanda 2022, has been handed a three month suspended sentence by Kicukiro Primary Court. The 21 year old beauty queen was found guilty of drunk driving, driving without a license, and causing damage to public property. She will serve her sentence if she commits any further offenses within a one-year period and will also be required to report to prosecution if requested. Additionally, she has been fined Rwf190,000.
The charges stemmed from an incident on October 20, when Muheto, driving a KIA Sportage, crashed into a palm tree and electric pole in the Nyakabanda area of Kicukiro. Prosecutors alleged that she was driving under the influence of alcohol and without a proper driving license. Muheto reportedly left the scene briefly, later claiming she had only done so due to the crowd that gathered and started calling her by name.
In court, Muheto admitted to driving while intoxicated and lacking a valid driver’s license, and accepted responsibility for damaging public infrastructure. She explained that her departure from the scene was out of fear of being filmed or harmed by onlookers. The prosecution, however, claimed she fled but returned to retrieve her phones, which she had left in the car. They argued she initially denied being behind the wheel and only admitted her actions after police tested her for alcohol. The breathalyzer test returned a reading of 4.0, significantly above the allowable limit of 0.8.
Muheto’s legal representatives, including advocates Iyakaremye Bosco, Rutabingwa Athanase, and Safari Kizito, argued that she had shown remorse and cooperated fully with law enforcement. Court documents revealed that Muheto held only a temporary driving license, which does not permit solo driving without an instructor. The prosecution initially recommended a six-month sentence for drunk driving, a two-month sentence for driving without a proper permit, and one year for allegedly fleeing the scene, in addition to fines for each offense.
After 18 days in custody, the court issued the suspended sentence and dismissed the charge of fleeing the scene. Muheto’s family, notably her father, Assistant Commissioner of Police Francis Muheto, has not made a public statement, but her lawyers reported that she has expressed remorse and asked for forgiveness.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Divine Nshuti Muheto |
| Age | 21 |
| Charges | Drunk driving, unlicensed driving, damage to public property |
| Sentence | 3-month suspended sentence |
| Fine | Rwf190,000 |
| Incident Date | October 20 |
| Court | Kicukiro Primary Court |
| Legal Representation | Iyakaremye Bosco, Rutabingwa Athanase, Safari Kizito |
| Other Notes | Must avoid any offenses for one year |
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