Drama as murder suspect is tried in stadium in Rwanda
Sylvester Hora, 30, the suspected murderer of 12-year-old Shalom Bella Uwase on March 26 appeared before a judge on Thursday for the first time to
murder and forgery charges.
In a rare occurrence, the hearing was held in a stadium and attended by over 5,000 people. The murder of Ms Uwase by a former house help who had worked for the family for 14 years gripped the country.
Mr Hora pleaded guilty before the judge but was quick to add that family members who were home at the time of the alleged murder could have done something to save their daughter.
Mr Hora is accused of beheading the 12-year-old in retaliation after he was fired from his domestic duties. Prosecutors requested a life sentence.
Emotions run high and security was tightened after some people threatened to lynch Mr Hora.
The Nyarugenge Intermediate Court heard that Mr Hora committed the alleged crime not more than two kilometres from where the case was heard and spent the night hiding under the Kigali Regional Stadium where the case was heard.
Court also heard that Mr Hora presented fake names to the National ID project, declaring himself as Hora Sylvestre yet he was originally named Sylvani Hagumamahoro, which led to addition of forgery to charge sheet.
Prosecutors told court that on the morning of March 26, Mr Hora was relieved of his duties by the family. After leaving the family home in Nyamirambo, he lurked around the market and returned to the same home later that evening with the intention of murdering Ms Uwase.
Mr Hora loitered around waiting for the girl to return from school before committing the offence.
