Robert Kabera, critic of Rwandan president Paul Kagame, found beheaded in Uganda; head missing
Body found near Kampala
Local residents found Kabera’s body on the outskirts of Kampala over the weekend. Ugandan police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said on Monday that his head had not yet been recovered.
Kabera was a former sergeant major in Rwanda’s army who became an outspoken critic of President Paul Kagame. His death occurred in neighbouring Uganda.
Family fears for safety
Kabera’s family said he had gone to examine a construction site about 45 km (30 miles) outside Kampala before he died. His widow, Jeanne d'Arc Rwigema Uwizeye, said in a written message to BBC Great Lakes that she feared for her family’s safety. The circumstances of his death have heightened concern about the safety of Rwandan dissidents living abroad.
Earlier murder warrants
South Africa issued arrest warrants in 2019 for two Rwandans accused of murdering Kabera. The article does not state whether those warrants led to arrests or convictions. Kabera’s killing in Uganda adds to wider concerns about threats facing Rwandan critics in exile.
Key points
- Robert Kabera was a former Rwandan army sergeant major and critic of Paul Kagame.
- Residents found Kabera’s body near Kampala over the weekend.
- Police said his head had not been recovered by Monday.
- His widow said she feared for her family’s safety.