A few days ago, the Military Court based in Nyamirambo began hearing the case of 28 individuals accused of crimes related to the illegal purchase of airline tickets using funds from the Ministry of Defence.
The case first came to light when journalists, including Ndayishimiye Reagan (known as Rugaju, working with RBA), Ishimwe Ricard of SK FM, and Mucyo Antha Biganiro (a former journalist), were arrested.
On August 5, 2025, the Rwanda Defence Force leadership issued a statement announcing that those under prosecution included two RDF officers and 20 civilians, suspected of crimes such as conspiracy to receive and issue unauthorized documents, as well as conspiracy to misuse public funds.
In the days that followed, the number of suspects increased, reaching 28 by August 5. Among them were three military officers: Capt. Peninah Mutoni, Capt. Peninah Umurungi, and Maj. Vincent Muligande.
Also indicted were the spokesperson of the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS), CSP Hillary Sengabo, and his colleague CSP Olive Mukantabana.
In addition, 23 civilians, including sports journalists, were implicated. The case also involves Kalisa Georgine, former treasurer of APR FC, and Mugisha Frank (also known as Jangwani), who was a spokesperson for the club’s fans. Many of the accusations are tied to the football club.
The Military Court ruled that the trial would be held behind closed doors for national security reasons, since the charges are closely linked to the Ministry of Defence.
Charges faced by the accused
Capt. Peninah Mutoni faces charges of issuing unauthorized documents, misusing public funds, and conspiracy to forge and use forged documents. She is accused alongside Maj. Vincent Muligande and Kalisa Georgine.
Capt. Peninah Umurungi, CSP Hillary Sengabo, CSP Olive Mukantabana, and journalists Ndayishimiye Reagan and Ishimwe Ricard are accused of being accomplices in obtaining fraudulent official documents and misusing public funds.
How the alleged scheme worked
According to IGIHE, most of the charges revolve around Capt. Peninah Mutoni, who worked in the department responsible for airline tickets for Ministry of Defence employees and other designated persons. These tickets were meant for official international travels authorized by the Ministry. She held this responsibility from 2017 until late 2024.
It is alleged that Capt. Mutoni abused this position by purchasing tickets for unauthorized individuals, including journalists and football fans, whose travels had nothing to do with the Ministry of Defence.
This happened particularly around matches involving APR FC, such as against Pyramid in Egypt and AZAM in Tanzania. Capt. Mutoni allegedly worked closely with Kalisa Georgine to identify people who wanted to travel and watch these matches. Those individuals would pay Kalisa, who would then forward the money to Capt. Mutoni, but instead of using it directly for tickets, the individuals were listed as Defence Ministry staff, making the Ministry cover the costs. The money collected was reportedly shared between Capt. Mutoni and Kalisa.
Journalist Ndayishimiye Reagan admitted during questioning that in September 2024 he paid Kalisa $540 for a ticket and $100 for a visa. Kalisa later met him at the airport with the ticket. Ishimwe Ricard also stated that he paid Kalisa $700 for a ticket, money which Kalisa forwarded to Capt. Mutoni.
For the APR FC vs. Pyramid game, both Reagan and then-journalist Mucyo Antha Biganiro had their tickets paid for by the Ministry of Defence. RwandAir even billed the Ministry $1,013 for Mucyo’s trip to Tanzania, falsely listing him as a Ministry employee.
Before his arrest, Ishimwe Ricard admitted on SK FM (July 31, 2025) that he had fallen victim to the scam:
“What hurt me most was that I spent 1.4 million Rwandan francs on a ticket that was canceled, forcing me to spend even more for another one. Then a journalist like me is arrested and asked why he paid—only to end up in jail.”
The involvement of prison officials
It is further alleged that some officers and prison officials returning from peacekeeping missions in South Sudan were also illegally issued tickets by Capt. Mutoni. This includes CSP Hillary Sengabo.
In late 2024, as Sengabo was preparing to travel home for leave, he contacted Capt. Mutoni to purchase a ticket. He allegedly wired $534 to her bank account, and she sent him a ticket. The same arrangement applied to CSP Olive Mukantabana, who said she was introduced to Capt. Mutoni by Capt. Umurungi while they were in South Sudan.
Both Sengabo and Mukantabana received tickets but were falsely recorded as employees of APR BBW (APR Basketball Club).
Capt. Umurungi herself was also issued a ticket by Capt. Mutoni. When suspicions arose, Capt. Mutoni allegedly collaborated with a RwandAir employee to forge documents suggesting Umurungi had paid for her own ticket.
Maj. Vincent Murigande is accused of directing Capt. Mutoni to purchase tickets for Sengabo and Mukantabana, as well as overseeing email requests for tickets submitted under the Ministry of Defence’s name for unauthorized persons.
APR FC speaks out
APR FC chairman, Brig. Gen. Déo Rusanganwa, emphasized accountability:
“When MINADEF gives us a budget to uplift Rwandans, we must use it properly. If anyone is summoned to account, those not guilty will be cleared. Justice may delay, but it will prevail. To those who are concerned, please be patient—our country cannot operate like those we know from elsewhere. We must safeguard the resources entrusted to us to nurture talent. Let’s trust that justice will take its course. Some may be held longer than expected, but I believe this will be resolved properly. As for us, we must manage what APR is given responsibly.”
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