Busasamana Primary Court in Nyanza District has sentenced Emmanuel Ntarindwa, 51, to 15 years in prison after finding him guilty of crimes related to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Ntarindwa gained prominence in 2024 following his arrest, which revealed he had been secretly hiding in an underground pit inside a neighbour's house in Nyanza District since 2001, effectively evading justice for 23 years.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence detailing Ntarindwa's active participation in genocide crimes. These included manning roadblocks and taking part in various attacks during which Tutsi individuals were killed. The prosecution specifically highlighted that Ntarindwa personally committed killings in the areas formerly known as Kigoma and Nyabisindu communes, which are now part of Nyanza District. Citing the extreme gravity of these crimes, the prosecution had initially requested a life sentence for Ntarindwa.

However, before the court, Ntarindwa chose to admit all the charges without contest. He expressed profound remorse for his actions, offered an apology to the Rwandan people, and humbly requested leniency from the court. In its final ruling, the court found him guilty as charged but acknowledged several mitigating factors. These included his full and open confession, his sincere expression of remorse, and his plea for forgiveness. Based on these considerations, the court decided to reduce the sentence from a potential life imprisonment to 15 years' incarceration.

Ntarindwa's arrest occurred in May 2024, following a thorough investigation conducted by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB). The investigation uncovered that he had been hiding at the home of his former neighbour, Eugenie Mukamana, 53. According to RIB findings, Ntarindwa had initially fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo after the 1994 Genocide, where he remained for seven years. He then secretly returned to Rwanda in 2001, at which point he sought refuge in Mukamana's house. There, he dug a concealed pit within one of the rooms and remained hidden for over two decades without ever leaving the premises. RIB further stated that during his interrogation, Ntarindwa confessed to his role in the genocide, including the killing of several people. At the time of his arrest, both Ntarindwa and Mukamana were detained at the Busasamana RIB station, awaiting legal prosecution for their respective roles in the matter.