Rwanda's Prosecutor General reported a significant decrease in young adults prosecuted, from 51% to 40% in the last judicial year.
The proportion of young people prosecuted in Rwanda has fallen to 40% in the 2025-26 judicial year, down from 51% the previous year, according to Prosecutor General Habyarimana Angélique. A total of 32,231 individuals aged 18 to 30 were prosecuted during the year. Habyarimana stated that the prosecution service plans to enhance measures aimed at preventing youth involvement in criminal activities, emphasizing their national importance.
The Prosecutor General's office received 71,276 case files and made decisions on 68,232, representing 95.7% of the total. Among the common offenses prosecuted were theft and assault causing bodily harm, which together constituted 49% of all case files. Drug-related offenses also remained prevalent, with the prosecution service reporting a 98% success rate in these cases.
Authorities are also focusing on combating substandard alcoholic beverages, which they believe has contributed to a reduction in crimes committed by consumers. The prosecution service will continue to promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to expedite justice and place citizens at the center of the legal process, aiming for faster and more effective outcomes without always resorting to courts.
Why it mattersYoung adults aged 18 to 30 are directly affected by the decrease in prosecutions, with authorities aiming to reduce their involvement in crime.
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