Turahirwa Moses, the founder of the renowned Rwandan fashion house Moshions, has recently been sentenced to three years in prison by the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge after being convicted of multiple offenses, including the use of narcotics and falsification of official documents.
The Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) confirmed on April 22, 2025, that Turahirwa had been arrested once again, this time on new charges related to drug use. This marks a troubling continuation of legal issues for the designer, who had previously been apprehended in April 2023 on similar accusations.
In the 2023 case, Turahirwa was charged with forging or altering a travel document and using marijuana, a prohibited substance in Rwanda. Though he was temporarily released in June 2023 under the condition that he report to the prosecution regularly, legal proceedings continued.
The case saw a major development on December 20, 2024, when the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge found Turahirwa guilty of document forgery and consumption of narcotics. As a result, he was handed a three-year prison term, a fine of 2 million Rwandan Francs, and an additional court fee of 20,000 RWF.
Represented by lawyer Me Bayisabe Irene, Turahirwa immediately filed an appeal in January 2025, expressing dissatisfaction with the verdict. The High Council’s decision on this appeal is still pending.
However, his recent re-arrest complicates matters further. A legal expert, who spoke to IGIHE on the condition of anonymity, described the situation as a case of recidivism, which could negatively influence the outcome of both current and future legal proceedings.
“It is technically difficult to argue that the marijuana detected in 2023 would still be in his system two years later,” the legal expert said. “This suggests new usage, and thus a separate crime, independent of the earlier charges. Regardless of this second case, the initial judgment will proceed as scheduled.”
The legal expert emphasized that the ongoing trial over the earlier offenses will not be paused or altered due to the new case. If anything, the pattern of similar offenses may reflect negatively on Turahirwa in court.
Turahirwa Moses, once celebrated for elevating African fashion on the global stage through Moshions, now faces a significant fall from grace. His legal battles have not only disrupted his career but have also sparked nationwide discussions on drug use, celebrity responsibility, and justice in Rwanda.
