Rwandan legal framework on protection of consumer rights

Abstract

From various legal texts with special emphasis on article twelve to forty-three of the constitution of the Republic of Rwanda, a number of human rights have been expounded which include but not limited to: right to free choice of employment, right to form trade unions and employers’ association and right to private property. However, consumer rights are not fully recognised as it is done by the jurisdictions which consider consumer rights as human rights.

This paper argues that the current Rwandan legal framework is insufficiently developed to provide an adequate level of consumer protection and to redress the issues of consumer exploitations manifested in various aspects of life.  This argument is triggered by gaps identified in the legal framework especially the Rwandan constitution which does not clearly recognize consumer rights as human rights. The article further recommends therein the measures to be taken in ensuring that consumer right is effectively protected.