Rwandan Court Upholds Ban On Insulting President

The Supreme Court of Rwanda has upheld a legal ban on insulting the president following a challenge to the law that was adopted last year.

According to the law insulting President Paul Kagame is a crime, which carries a possible sentence of five to seven years in prison. The challenge to the legislation was brought by lawyer Richard Mugisha on behalf of the Rwandan Journalists Association, who argued that it violates the right to freedom of expression.  

The courts have, however, repealed a law that prohibits the publication of articles and cartoons that humiliate MPs and government officials.

Speaking on the judgements Chief Justice Sam Rugege is quoted as stating, "The court rules that the article that punishes humiliating officials...is against the freedom of speech as one might fear to express themselves for fear of being prosecuted.” 

However, "Insulting the president is harming the public order", he added.

In the latest World Press Freedom Index Rwanda ranked 155 out of 180 countries globally.