On December 17 and 18, 2025, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) arrested five people, namely: Mbabazi Winny, Niyigena Deborah, Murekatete Alice, Umutesi Salima Linda, and Heradi Sefu Josue, commonly known as Prophet Joshua.
They are being investigated for the offense of devaluing the national currency, and for failure to explain the source of wealth in the case of Prophet Joshua.
On various occasions, RIB has been educating and warning the public to stop activities that undermine the value of Rwandan currency. Some people have been found scattering money during ceremonies, while others do so to show off their wealth, record videos, and share them on social media platforms.
Investigations into those arrested show that they have been using Rwandan banknotes to decorate cakes and flowers at various events and then promoting them on their social media accounts, including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
Among crimes committed against the national currency is the offense they are accused of, namely devaluing the national currency, as provided for in Article 221 of the law governing offenses and penalties in general.
If a person suspected of this offense is found guilty by a court, they are liable to imprisonment of not less than one year and not more than two years, and a fine of not less than 1,000,000 Rwandan francs and not more than 3,000,000 Rwandan francs.
The offense of failure to explain the source of wealth, which is added to the charges against Prophet Joshua, is provided for under Article 9 of the law on combating corruption. This offense carries a penalty of imprisonment of not less than 7 years and not more than 10 years, and a fine of Rwandan francs equivalent to three to five times the value of the property whose lawful source cannot be explained.
RIB has warned all people engaged in any activities that devalue or undermine the national currency—whether through decoration, embellishment of flowers, cakes, entertainment, or other means—to stop, as such acts are punishable by law.
