Denis Kazungu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | c. 1989 (age 35–36) |
| Years active | 2022–2023 |
| Criminal status | Incarcerated |
| Conviction | Murder x14 |
| Criminal penalty | Life imprisonment |
| Details | |
| Victims | 14 |
| Country | Rwanda |
| States | Gashikiri, Kicukiro District, Kigali |
Date apprehended | 5 September 2023 |
Denis Kazungu is a Rwandan serial killer who murdered 14 people, most of whom were women. At the time of his arrest, he ran a motorcycle spare parts shop.
From April 2022 until the day of his arrest, Kazungu rented a house in Gashikiri, [1] [2] in the Kanombe sector of Kicukiro District, where he lured his victims. [3] [4] At least three women were able to escape from the house. Neighbours informed Mutwarasibo, a local leader, but the events were dismissed as mere disputes between Kazungu and sex workers. [4]
Kazungu had been arrested in July 2023 on suspicion of rape, robbery, theft, and use of threats. However, he was granted bail due to lack of evidence until 5 September, when the police arrested him again. [5] [6] Two days later, it was announced that fourteen bodies had been found in a hole in the kitchen of his home he rented. [7] [8] When Kazungu was arrested, he stated that he lured his victims from a bar to his home then raped, robbed and murdered them. [5] On 21 September 2023, Kazungu pleaded guilty in the murders. [9] Kazungu was sentenced to life imprisonment on 8 March 2024. [10]
On 18 March 2025, Kazungu's defence team filed an appeal, claiming that their client should have been given a more lenient sentence on account of his full cooperation with authorities and apparent remorse, which they cited as a mitigating factor. [11] The High Court in Kigali rejected the appeal on 11 July, upholding the life sentence. [12]