Mpano made the appeal on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, during the substantive hearing of a case in which he is jointly charged with six others over drug-related offences.
He told the court that he admitted to using heroin, locally known as 'Mugo', during investigations and asked judges to consider that it was his first time facing such charges.
Mpano also expressed his desire to return to normal life, continue caring for the children under his responsibility and use his influence as a musician to discourage young people from drug use.
'I admitted to the offence during investigations and apologised. This is the first time I have faced such charges. I ask you to give me a suspended sentence so that I can continue taking care of the children I was raising and participate in campaigns encouraging young people to stay away from drugs,' he said.
His lawyer, Gatari Salim Steven, backed the appeal, citing his client's admission of guilt and cooperation during the proceedings as mitigating circumstances.
Prosecutors requested two-year prison sentences for Mpano and five co-accused, namely Kabayiza Eric, Murenzi Armand, Mugisha Eddy, Iradukunda Robert and Kanyabugande Nuru. Laboratory tests detected traces of the drug in several defendants, while some had previous convictions for drug use or other offences.
The seventh defendant, motorcycle taxi rider Niyodusenga Regis, faces a separate charge of drug trafficking and distribution.
Prosecutors alleged that he was arrested on August 19, 2026, with 12 packages of heroin intended for the other defendants. They requested a 20-year prison sentence and a fine of Rwf21 million.
Niyodusenga denied knowing that the items he was transporting were drugs and asked the court to reduce the proposed sentence.
The court is scheduled to deliver its judgment on November 27, 2026.
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