By Seif Shaggy Gracien Hasingizwimana/Kigali,Rwanda,
The Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has clarified the charges against the President of the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), Fabrice Shema, stating that they are unrelated to his duties at FERWAFA.
On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, RIB announced the arrest of Fabrice Shema on suspicion of issuing a bounced check. The official is currently detained at the Kicukiro RIB station while investigations continue before his file is submitted to the National Public Prosecution Authority.
Following the news of his arrest, reports circulated suggesting that the charges might be connected to his role at FERWAFA.
On Thursday, RIB Spokesperson Dr. Thierry B. Murangira cleared the confusion surrounding the matter, stating that the bounced check charge relates to his private business activities.
He said: “Fabrice Shema was arrested on August 11 on charges of issuing a bounced check, and the investigation is ongoing. It is a check linked to his personal business activities. At this point, there is nothing further we can disclose, and any other confusing rumors being spread by some people should stop.”
How is the offense of issuing a bounced check punished?
Article 126 of Law No. 060/2021 of 14/10/2021 Governing Negotiable Instruments establishes the offense of issuing a bounced check (Émission d’un chèque sans provision).
This article stipulates that any person who knowingly commits acts such as issuing an unbacked check, fraudulently withdrawing all or part of their funds, or stopping payment after issuing a check without a legal basis (such as loss or theft, or where the recipient has not suffered bankruptcy or loss of legal capacity), or handing over a check received from someone else knowing it is unbacked or insufficient to settle the debt, commits an offense.
Upon conviction by a court, the penalty is imprisonment of not less than two years and not more than five years, along with a fine of not less than five times and not more than ten times the face value of the check.
Paragraph three of this article also specifies that, without prejudice to penalties provided under the general penal code, a legal entity found guilty of this offense shall be fined as provided under paragraph two of this article.
Penalties from the National Bank of Rwanda
In addition to the legal penalties outlined in this article, anyone convicted of this offense may also face sanctions from the National Bank of Rwanda.
These sanctions include being deprived of the right to receive a new checkbook or open new bank accounts with banks and financial institutions, as well as being required to return all remaining checkbooks to their bank.
These penalties last for six months for a first offense and one year for a repeat offense.
Additionally, a person convicted of this offense pays a penalty equivalent to 20% of the amount written on each bounced check.
Currently, RIB states that the investigation into the charges against Fabrice Shema is still ongoing so that his dossier can be handed over to the Prosecution.
