Mukantaganzwa highlighted that in the 2024/25 judicial year, all courts collectively had a total of one hundred eighty-two thousand five hundred twenty-seven cases, including new cases and those carried over from the previous year.

She noted that despite efforts to finalize all cases, fifty-eight thousand three hundred twenty-three cases remained pending, including twenty-six thousand eight hundred sixty-two cases that had been pending for more than six months, classified as backlog. The Chief Justice encouraged Rwandans to embrace mediation as a fast and cost-effective pathway to justice.

Mukantaganzwa reported that a total of one hundred six thousand two hundred fifty-four cases were filed in courts in 2024/25, adding to the seventy-six thousand two hundred seventy-three cases carried over from 2023/24, bringing the total number of cases before the courts to one hundred eighty-two thousand five hundred twenty-seven.

Of these new cases, sixty-three thousand four hundred fifty-seven were filed in Primary Courts, representing sixty percent of all new cases, while forty-two thousand seven hundred ninety-seven cases, equivalent to forty percent, were filed in Intermediate Courts, Commercial Courts, and High Courts.

She further explained that out of all cases filed, ninety thousand forty-four were criminal cases, making up eighty-five percent, while sixteen thousand two hundred ten were cases of provisional custody or release, representing fifteen percent.

Regarding cases concluded, courts finalized one hundred nine thousand one hundred ninety-two cases in 2024/25, including ninety-two thousand eight hundred eighty criminal cases (eighty-five percent) and sixteen thousand three hundred twelve provisional custody or release cases (fifteen percent). The monthly average of cases concluded per judge was twenty-six.

Mukantaganzwa noted that when combining criminal cases, provisional custody or release, and cases resolved through mediation or plea agreements, the total reached one hundred twenty-four thousand two hundred four, which she called “the Judiciary’s output for the 2024/25 judicial year.”

She emphasized that despite efforts, fifty-eight thousand three hundred twenty-three cases remained pending at the end of the year, including twenty-six thousand eight hundred sixty-two cases pending over six months, considered backlog.

The Chief Justice encouraged court users to understand that mediation is a way to deliver faster, affordable justice while maintaining good relationships between parties in dispute. She cited that fifteen thousand twelve cases were resolved through mediation and plea agreements between the Prosecution and the accused, representing fourteen percent of cases filed in courts in 2024/25.

“When combining criminal cases, provisional custody or release, and cases resolved through mediation or plea agreements, the total reaches one hundred twenty-four thousand two hundred four. This is the Judiciary’s output for the 2024/25 judicial year.” – Domitilla Mukantaganzwa

“I urge court users to understand that resolving disputes through mediation is a fast, affordable way to deliver justice while preserving good relationships between parties in conflict.” – Domitilla Mukantaganzwa

The launch of the 2025/26 judicial year demonstrates the Judiciary’s continued efforts to address case backlogs while calling on Rwandans to embrace mediation as a sustainable pathway to timely, affordable, and harmonious justice.