Rwandan beauty queen Divine Muheto, who won the most recent Miss Rwanda pageant, has been arrested on charges of drink-driving and driving without a license, according to local police. Authorities report that Ms. Muheto allegedly caused damage to public infrastructure and fled the scene. It’s unclear if anyone was injured in the incident.
Police also noted that this is not the 21-year-old's first incident of driving under the influence in Rwanda. The arrest was confirmed by police on Tuesday, following days of speculation regarding her detention after a collision.
Ms. Muheto, who rose to fame after winning Miss Rwanda in 2022, has not yet made any public comments on the situation. Her court hearing is set to begin on Thursday in Kigali, as stated by a spokesperson for the prosecution.
The Miss Rwanda pageant has been on hold since Ms. Muheto’s win, following government suspension due to sexual misconduct allegations against the event's organizers. Drink-driving in Rwanda carries a penalty of 150,000 Rwandan francs (about $110 or £85) and up to five days in police custody. In recent years, thousands have been arrested for the offense as authorities have intensified traffic law enforcement.
The government credits this stricter regulation with helping to reduce fatal road accidents nationwide.
