Captain Richard Ruai jailed six months for assaulting civilians

A Joint Special Court has sentenced Police Captain Richard Ruai Kuol to six months in prison after finding him guilty of assaulting a civilian in Juba.

The court ordered that the sentence take effect from May 6, 2026. The officer was convicted under Section 66(3) of the South Sudan Police Service Act, 2009 (as amended in 2022), which relates to the unlawful use of force against civilians.

He was also convicted under Section 77, which provides for enhanced punishment where multiple offences arise from a single act. The court further found him guilty of disciplinary offences under Section 21 of the Police Disciplinary Regulations, 2021, including neglect of duty, misconduct and failure to comply with official instructions.

The case stems from an incident on May 5, 2026, when a video circulated on social media showing the police captain beating a civilian with a stick in Juba’s Cinema residential area.

The video sparked widespread public condemnation and calls for accountability. Following the incident, the South Sudan National Police Service suspended the officer and referred the case to the Joint Special Court for trial.

During the hearing, the accused told the court he lost his temper after the civilian allegedly insulted him and damaged his vehicle. The prosecution argued that the force used was excessive and continued even after bystanders intervened to stop the assault.

In its ruling, the court said the conviction underscores the importance of accountability and discipline within the police service. It added that police officers are expected to exercise their powers within the limits of the law and respect the rights of civilians.