Samuel Mugisha, the captain of Rwanda’s national cycling team has been arrested over alleged assault and intentionally causing injuries.

Mugisha, 23, who rides for La Roche-sur-Yon Vendée Cyclisme in France is in Rwanda for vacation.

He was arrested on Thursday 21st October 2021.

He is accused of seriously assaulting and injuring a motorcyclist identified as Olivier Sangwa, 29.

The motorcyclist filed an accusation to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB)’s station in Gisozi sector on Thursday around 11a.m before Mugisha was arrested along with co-accused young man identified as Ezechiel Muyoboke,28.

The duo is suspected of conspiration in beating the motorcyclist in Kagara village, Musezero cell, Gisozi sector on Wednesday night.

Speaking to IGIHE, the Spokesperson of Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Dr. Thierry B. Murangira has confirmed the arrest noting that investigation is underway.

“They face assault crime and causing injury where they beat a commercial motorcyclist identified as Olivier Sangwa last night after squabbling for the exact amount of transport fare. Investigation is underway as their file is being made to be transferred to the Prosecution,” he said.

Mugisha and Muyoboke are detained at Gisozi RIB Post while the assault victim is receiving medical attention at Kacyiru Hospital.

Dr. Murangira urged the general public against self-administered justice because it is punishable by laws.

Upon conviction, the crime which Mugisha and Muyoboke are accused of, attracts the sentence between three and five years and fine between Rwf500,000 and Rwf1 million.

Mugisha rides for Team LMP -la roche sur yon since the beginning of 2020.

His riding talent grew from Benediction Club in Rubavu since 2016 from where he joined Dimension Data in South Africa in 2017 where he spent three years until 2019.

The young man hailing from Mukamira in Nyabihu district,Western Province is the last Rwandan rider who won Tour du Rwanda in 2018 before the tournament was upgraded to 2.1 International Cycling Union (UCI) category.

In 2020, he was the only Rwandan rider who participated in World Cycling Championship held in Italy.