In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, the Kicukiro Primary Court also imposed a fine of Frw 190,000 for the two offences. However, the 21-year-old was acquitted of the charge of fleeing the scene after causing an accident.
The suspended sentence means that Muheto will not serve time immediately, but the sentence could be enforced if she commits the offences again within one year.
The former pageant queen was arraigned in court on October 31, 2024, following her arrest for the traffic offences.
The prosecution had told the court that Miss Muheto had been drinking at a bar named "Atelier du Vin" around midnight before attempting to drive home. Due to her limited driving skills and high level of intoxication, she crashed into an electricity pole and a tree.
She was accused of fleeing the scene after the crash but later returned to retrieve her phones, only to find that the police had already arrived. She then reportedly claimed that she was not the driver of the vehicle.
The prosecution noted that this was not her first offence, pointing out that she had been previously cautioned and apologized for similar behaviour on September 23, 2024. They urged the court to find her guilty on all charges and sentence her to a one-year and eight-month jail term: six months for drink-driving, two months for driving without a permit, and one year for fleeing the scene after causing an accident.
In her plea, Miss Muheto admitted to driving under the influence and causing the accident but denied fleeing the scene.
She pleaded for leniency, requesting the court to spare her from a jail term, citing her remorse.
Miss Muheto stated that she is involved in national projects aimed at combating child stunting and is a student at the African Leadership University, where she needs to continue her studies.
IGIHE
