The story capturing major attention revolves around a 44-year-old Rwandan woman who claims emotional distress due to her relationship with Dr. Ernest Nsabimana, the former Minister of Infrastructure. She alleges that he dishonored his promises to marry her and later cheated, leaving her heartbroken.
On September 16, 2025, at the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court, Chantal requested compensation for the severe depression she says was caused by their brief three-month romance back in 2009.
The Background of Chantal and Dr. Nsabimana’s Relationship
Chantal recalls meeting Dr. Nsabimana during her high school years in Huye, while he was a university student at the University of Rwanda located in the same town.
Initially, she dated one of Dr. Nsabimana's friends, who spoke highly of her, ultimately leading to her friendship with Ernest. Their bond strengthened when she started selling milk near the university, and eventually, their closeness turned into a relationship.
Even after Chantal moved to Kigali, their connection continued with regular visits. However, she claims to have been the primary force maintaining their relationship, noticing that Ernest had another girlfriend at the time.
Their relationship ended as Chantal realized it was not heading towards marriage. After a year without communication, they reconnected in Kigali when Chantal found a wealthy foreign sponsor. Ernest reignited his interest in her, and their relationship resumed.
During this reconnection, Ernest expressed intentions to marry, explaining that he hadn’t found the ideal partner yet. In August 2009, he proposed marriage, but Chantal admits she hesitated to accept his proposal immediately.
Throughout their courtship, she visited Ernest’s workplace, meeting his colleagues as he proudly introduced her. However, she discovered that Ernest was popular among women at the time.
While preparing for marriage, sharing plans with her social circle, Chantal faced a crushing revelation: Ernest had secretly married another woman who reportedly cooked for him, conducting the wedding in complete secrecy.
Chantal reflects on her emotional breakdown starting in late 2009 after the betrayal. She turned to acting and singing to process her pain, often channeling her sorrow through artistic expression.
The impact of the relationship continues to haunt Chantal. She laments over the fact that Dr. Nsabimana, now with a 15-year-old child, has built a family, while she remains childless. She shares, “Thinking about his 15-year-old child, while I have none, deeply hurts me to this day.”
She attributes her decision to avoid marriage and motherhood to the trauma from their failed relationship. “Even after 15 years, the scars linger. I haven’t been able to fully trust anyone to build a home with me,” Chantal elaborates.
She recalls dating a soldier and later others who experienced comparable emotional injuries. Yet, those relationships were short-lived, with Chantal remarking, “When someone is wounded, time isn’t enough to heal; trusting them could even put your health at severe risk.”
Her pain was exacerbated during a recent encounter with Ernest when he made a surprising remark: “Chantal, you’re beautiful. Why haven’t you gotten married yet?”
Additionally, Chantal reveals sleepless nights after learning of Ernest’s role as Minister. She felt devastated, claiming that he never acknowledged her nor offered financial aid during her struggles, leaving her feeling hopeless and even suicidal.
“There were moments I tried to end my life, but someone intervened because of the anguish I carried. The betrayal stung—seeing the person who ruined my life thriving while denying me basic help hurt immensely. When he became Minister, I cried all night, feeling abandoned by someone I loved deeply,” she confesses.
In search of justice, Chantal consulted a lawyer, Maitre Butare. She narrated her story, detailing how Dr. Nsabimana caused emotional and financial harm due to neglect. The lawyer encouraged her to proceed with legal action if she could provide substantial evidence.
“I explained my struggles—living with incurable anguish, constant fatigue, and sleepless nights caused by his actions. The lawyer assured me, ‘If you have evidence, we can sue him,’ and that motivated me to gather my case details,” Chantal recounts.
Chantal claims that she contacted Ernest seeking assistance for medical bills while he was Minister, but he ignored her requests, amplifying her emotional turmoil.
She confirms spending over 400,000 Rwandan Francs on depression treatments back in 2009. Originating from a well-off family, she says she finds it extremely frustrating and humbling to seek help, compounding her pain further.