Exiled Rwandan critic Robert Kabera found beheaded in Uganda

Former army sergeant major turned YouTuber was a vocal opponent of President Paul Kagame

By LineZotpaper

Published20 October 2026

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Robert Kabera, a former Rwandan army sergeant major who became an outspoken critic of President Paul Kagame, has been found beheaded on the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda, according to Ugandan police. His head has not been recovered, and the Rwandan government has not publicly commented on the killing.

Kabera, 50, fled Rwanda after being accused of sexual assault, a charge he denied, and sought asylum in Uganda citing political persecution. Ugandan police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirmed that Kabera's head had still not been recovered and that his body was discovered by local residents over the weekend.

Kabera built a public profile as a musician and YouTuber, attracting more than 144,000 subscribers to his channel, which featured over 800 videos, many criticising Kagame and his administration. According to his family, Kabera had travelled to inspect a construction site about 45 km (30 miles) outside Kampala before his death.

His widow, Jeanne d'Arc Rwigema Uwizeye, told BBC Great Lakes in a written message that she now feared for her family's safety. "It is scary. I feel crazy, the children and I don't have security," she said.

Reacting to news of his murder, exiled opposition group Rwanda National Congress (RNC) called for a thorough investigation and for those responsible to be brought to justice. In a statement on X, the RNC said: "Today, his family is grieving, his voice is gone, and Rwandans in exile are confronting a terrifying question: where can we be safe?"

Kabera's death adds to concerns about the safety of Rwandan dissidents living in exile. In 2014, Patrick Karegeya, a former Rwandan intelligence chief who helped set up the RNC, was found dead in his hotel room in Johannesburg, South Africa. Karegeya had fallen out with Kagame and became a vocal critic after fleeing to South Africa. Following his death, Kagame made remarks widely seen as a warning to other critics, saying: "Any person alive who may be plotting against Rwanda, whoever they are, will pay the price. Whoever it is, it is a matter of time."

Several critics of Kagame have been killed, both in Rwanda and abroad. South African authorities issued arrest warrants for two Rwandans accused of murdering Karegeya in 2019.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The killing of a prominent dissident in a neighbouring country raises serious questions about the safety of Rwandan exiles and the reach of the Rwandan state.
It may deepen fears among opposition figures living abroad and trigger diplomatic tensions between Rwanda and Uganda, as well as with other nations hosting Rwandan refugees.
The murder follows a pattern of attacks on Kagame's critics, reinforcing concerns about political repression and accountability.

Background

Rwanda has been led by President Paul Kagame since 1994, and his government has faced longstanding criticism over its human rights record and treatment of political opponents. Several exiled critics have been killed or have died under suspicious circumstances abroad, including former intelligence chief Patrick Karegeya in South Africa in 2014. The Rwandan government has consistently denied involvement in such deaths. Kabera, a former soldier, became a vocal critic after fleeing Rwanda, using social media to amplify his message.

Key Perspectives

Robert Kabera's family and supporters: They seek justice and express fear for their safety. The exiled opposition Rwanda National Congress has called for a thorough investigation and highlighted the vulnerability of Rwandan dissidents. Ugandan authorities: They have confirmed the discovery of the body and the missing head but have not publicly identified suspects or a motive. The Rwandan government: Has not publicly commented on the killing. President Kagame has previously made statements interpreted as warnings to critics, saying they would "pay the price."

What to Watch

Whether Ugandan police identify suspects or make arrests in connection with the murder.
Any official statement from the Rwandan government or diplomatic fallout between Kigali and Kampala.
Reactions from international human rights organisations and possible calls for independent investigation.

Sources

Exiled critic of Rwandan president found beheaded · BBC News

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.

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SupportedExiled Rwandan critic Robert Kabera found beheaded in UgandaBBC News: “A former Rwandan army sergeant major, who became an outspoken critic of President Paul Kagame, has been found beheaded in neighbouring Uganda.”
SupportedFormer army sergeant major turned YouTuber was a vocal opponent of President Paul KagameBBC News: “Robert Kabera, a former Rwandan army sergeant major, who became an outspoken critic of President Paul Kagame. He built a public profile as a musician and YouTuber.”
SupportedRobert Kabera was a former Rwandan army sergeant major who became an outspoken critic of President Paul Kagame, found beheaded on the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda, according to Ugandan police.BBC News: “Ugandan police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke on Monday said that Kabera's head had still not been recovered. His body was discovered by local residents on the outskirts of Kampala over the weekend.”
SupportedHis head has not been recoveredBBC News: “Ugandan police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke on Monday said that Kabera's head had still not been recovered.”
SupportedThe Rwandan government has not publicly commented on the killingBBC News: “The Rwandan government has not publicly commented on the killing.”
SupportedKabera, 50, fled Rwanda after being accused of sexual assault, a charge he denied, and sought asylum in Uganda citing political persecution.BBC News: “Robert Kabera, 50, fled Rwanda after being accused of sexual assault, which he denied. He sought asylum in neighbouring Uganda, citing political persecution.”
SupportedUgandan police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirmed that Kabera's head had still not been recovered and that his body was discovered by local residents over the weekend.BBC News: “Ugandan police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke on Monday said that Kabera's head had still not been recovered. His body was discovered by local residents on the outskirts of Kampala over the weekend.”
SupportedKabera built a public profile as a musician and YouTuber, attracting more than 144,000 subscribers to his channel, which featured over 800 videos, many criticising Kagame and his administration.BBC News: “He built a public profile as a musician and YouTuber, attracting more than 144,000 subscribers to his channel, which featured over 800 videos, many criticising Kagame and his administration.”
SupportedAccording to his family, Kabera had travelled to inspect a construction site about 45 km (30 miles) outside Kampala before his death.BBC News: “According to his family, Kabera had travelled to inspect a construction site about 45 km (30 miles) outside Kampala before his death.”
SupportedHis widow, Jeanne d'Arc Rwigema Uwizeye, told BBC Great Lakes in a written message that she now feared for her family's safety. "It is scary. I feel crazy, the children and I don't have security," she said.BBC News: “His widow, Jeanne d'Arc Rwigema Uwizeye, told BBC Great Lakes in a written message that she now feared for her family's safety. "It is scary. I feel crazy, the children and I don't have security," she said.”
SupportedReacting to news of his murder, exiled opposition group Rwanda National Congress (RNC) called for a thorough investigation and for those responsible to be brought to justice. In a statement on X, the RNC said: "Today, his family is grieving, his voice is gone, and Rwandans in exile are confronting a terrifying question: where can we be safe?"BBC News: “In a statement on X, the RNC said: "Today, his family is grieving, his voice is gone, and Rwandans in exile are confronting a terrifying question: where can we be safe?"”
SupportedIn 2014, Patrick Karegeya, a former Rwandan intelligence chief who helped set up the RNC, was found dead in his hotel room in Johannesburg, South Africa. ... Karegeya had fallen out with Kagame and became a vocal critic after fleeing to South Africa. Following his death, Kagame made remarks widely seen as a warning to other critics, saying: "Any person alive who may be plotting against Rwanda, whoever they are, will pay the price. Whoever it is, it is a matter of time." South African authorities issued arrest warrants for two Rwandans accused of murdering Karegeya in 2019.BBC News: “In 2014, Patrick Karegeya...found dead...Karegeya fell out with President Paul Kagame...fleeing to South Africa...Kagame made remarks...'Any person alive...'...In 2019, South African authorities issued arrest warrants for two Rwandans accused of murdering Karegeya.”