Rwandan Government Critic Robert Kabera Found Beheaded in Uganda

A former Rwandan army sergeant major and outspoken critic of President Paul Kagame has been found beheaded in Uganda, raising fresh concerns about the safety of Rwandan dissidents living in exile.

Robert Kabera, 50, was found dead in Luwala village, Kamengo sub-county, in Mpigi District, about 45 kilometres from Uganda’s capital, Kampala. His body was discovered on Saturday, October 17, with his head still missing, according to Ugandan police.

Uganda Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirmed on Monday that investigators were treating the case as a murder. The missing head had not been recovered, and authorities had not publicly established a motive or identified those responsible.

Kabera’s Family Fears for Its Safety

Kabera’s widow, Jeanne d’Arc Rwigema Uwizeye, told BBC Great Lakes in a written message that she feared for her safety and that of their children following the killing.

“It is scary. I feel crazy, the children and I don’t have security,” she said.

According to his family, Kabera had travelled to the area to inspect a construction site where he was building a house. His killing has heightened anxiety among some Rwandans living in Uganda, particularly those who have spoken publicly against the Rwandan government.

From Army Musician to Government Critic

Kabera previously served in the Rwanda Defence Force and was known as a musician with the Army Jazz Band. After leaving Rwanda for Uganda in 2020, he became an outspoken critic of Kagame and his administration.

He developed a substantial online following through his YouTube channel, Major Robert TV, which had more than 140,000 subscribers and featured hundreds of videos, many critical of the Rwandan government.

Kabera had sought refuge in Uganda, saying he feared persecution in Rwanda. The Rwandan military had accused him of unlawful sexual contact with a family member, an allegation he denied. The circumstances surrounding those allegations and his departure from Rwanda formed part of his history before the killing.

The Rwandan government had not publicly commented on Kabera’s death as of Monday, October 19. Ugandan investigators have not announced evidence linking any individual or government to the killing.

Opposition Group Calls for Thorough Investigation

The Rwanda National Congress (RNC), an opposition group, condemned the killing and called for a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible.

In a statement on X, the group said Kabera’s death had left his family grieving and raised difficult questions about the safety of Rwandans living outside their country.

The murder has renewed attention to allegations by some Rwandan dissidents that critics of the government face threats even after fleeing abroad. Such allegations remain distinct from the facts established in the current investigation.

The Shadow of Patrick Karegeya’s Killing

Kabera’s death has also drawn comparisons with the 2014 killing of Patrick Karegeya, a former Rwandan intelligence chief and co-founder of the Rwanda National Congress.

Karegeya was found dead in a hotel room in Johannesburg, South Africa, after falling out with Kagame and becoming a prominent critic of the Rwandan government. He had fled Rwanda in 2007 after previously being arrested and serving a prison sentence.

After Karegeya’s death, Kagame made remarks that critics interpreted as a warning to opponents. South African authorities later issued arrest warrants in 2019 for two Rwandans accused of involvement in the killing. Those warrants did not, by themselves, establish the responsibility of the Rwandan government.

Police Investigation Continues

Ugandan authorities are continuing to investigate Kabera’s murder. Police have said that the circumstances surrounding his death, including his military background and other relevant details, will be examined.

For now, investigators have not established who killed Kabera or why. His family is left seeking answers while concerns grow over the protection of refugees and political dissidents living beyond their home countries.

The investigation’s findings will be crucial to determining the circumstances of the killing and whether anyone can be held accountable.

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