Miss Rwanda Pageant Suspended over Cases of Sexual Abuse

Rwanda’s Ministry of Youth and Culture has suspended the Miss Rwanda pageant citing cases of sexual abuse.

This was revealed in a Monday statement issued by the Minister of Youth and Culture, Rosemary Mbabazi.

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“Based on ongoing investigation by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau of the CEO of Rwanda Inspiration Backup, over alleged sexual abuse of Miss Rwanda contestants, the Ministry of Youth and Culture informs the general public that the Miss Rwanda beauty pageant has been suspended pending completion of investigations,” she said.

Rwanda Investigations Bureau (RIB) is currently investigating Dieudone Ishimwe, popularly known as Prince Kid, the Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Inspiration Backup, which organises the Miss Rwanda competition.

This followed a revelation by the current Miss Rwanda, Nshuti Divine Muheto, who recently spoke out and shared a recording of Ishimwe soliciting sexual favours.

RIB swung into action and arrested Elsa Iradukunda, the Miss Rwanda 2017 winner, for allegedly using forged documents in attempts to obstruct the ongoing investigations.

She is accused of manipulating victims who testified against Ishimwe into signing written documents that deny having been sexually abused by him at any time.