MWE Correspondent
Robert Kabera, a former Rwandan army sergeant major who became a vocal critic of President Paul Kagame, has been found beheaded in neighbouring Uganda, raising fresh concerns about the safety of Rwandan government critics living in exile.
Kabera, 50, was found dead on the outskirts of Uganda’s capital, Kampala, over the weekend. Ugandan police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said on Monday that the victim’s head had not yet been recovered.
The circumstances surrounding his killing remain unclear, and authorities have not publicly identified those responsible. The investigation is expected to establish how Kabera was killed and whether the crime was connected to his political activities.
Kabera fled Rwanda after facing allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denied. He subsequently sought asylum in Uganda, claiming that he was being targeted for political reasons.
The Rwandan government has not issued an official statement regarding his death.
According to his family, Kabera had travelled to inspect a construction site approximately 45 kilometres from Kampala before he was killed.
His widow, Jeanne d’Arc Rwigema Uwizeye, told the BBC’s Great Lakes service in a text message that she feared for her safety and that of their children following the killing.
“It is terrifying. I feel completely confused. My children and I are not safe,” she said.
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Kabera had developed a significant online following as a musician and YouTube content creator. His channel had more than 144,000 subscribers and over 800 videos, many of which criticised Kagame and his administration.
His online activities made him a prominent voice among Rwandan government critics, including those living outside the country.
Following reports of his death, the Rwanda National Congress (RNC), an opposition group operating in exile, called for a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure that everyone involved in the killing is brought to justice.
In a statement published on X, the group expressed concern about the safety of Rwandans living abroad, saying the killing had left his family mourning and raised troubling questions about where exiled Rwandans could find security.
Kabera’s death has renewed debate about allegations of intimidation and violence against critics of the Rwandan government outside the country. However, responsibility for his killing has not been established, and no evidence has yet publicly linked the incident to Rwandan authorities.
One of the most prominent cases involving a Rwandan government critic abroad was the death of Patrick Karegeya, a former head of Rwanda’s external intelligence service and a co-founder of the RNC. Karegeya was found dead in a hotel room in Johannesburg, South Africa, in January 2014.
His death attracted international attention and intensified concerns among opposition figures about the security of Rwandan dissidents living in exile.
The cases have drawn renewed attention to the challenges facing political opponents who seek refuge outside their home countries but remain concerned about possible threats to their safety.
Ugandan authorities now face pressure to establish the circumstances of Kabera’s killing, recover the missing body part and identify those responsible. A credible investigation could help clarify whether the crime was motivated by personal disputes, political considerations or other factors.
For Kabera’s family and Rwanda’s exiled opposition community, the immediate concern remains accountability and protection against further violence.
As investigations continue, the killing is likely to intensify calls from opposition groups and human rights advocates for transparent inquiries into attacks on political critics living abroad.
