oluwatosin oyeniyi MPIGI, Uganda — Robert Kabera, a former Rwandan army sergeant major who became a vocal critic of President Paul Kagame, has been found beheaded in neighbouring Uganda, prompting renewed concerns about the safety of Rwandan dissidents living in exile.
Kabera, 50, was discovered dead in Luwala village, Kamengo sub-county, in Mpigi District on Saturday, October 17. Ugandan police confirmed the killing on Monday, saying the victim’s head had not been recovered and investigators were working to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said relatives had identified the body as Kabera’s. Authorities have not publicly identified any suspects or established a motive, and there is no confirmed evidence linking the killing to his political activities.
The killing has drawn attention to the risks faced by government critics who leave Rwanda but continue to speak out against its leadership from abroad.
From army service to outspoken critic
Kabera previously served in the Rwanda Defence Force, including as an instructor and musician with the military’s Army Jazz Band. He left Rwanda for Uganda in 2020, saying he feared for his safety.
After relocating, he became increasingly critical of Kagame and the Rwandan government. Through his YouTube channel, Major Robert TV, which had approximately 144,000 subscribers, he shared political commentary and content critical of the authorities.
Kabera’s departure from Rwanda was also accompanied by a legal dispute. Rwandan military authorities accused him of an offence involving a minor, which he denied. His relatives have described the case as politically motivated, but that allegation has not been independently established.
His history illustrates the complicated circumstances that can confront exiled political figures, who may face allegations from their home governments while seeking protection in another country.
Ugandan police investigate the killing
Police said Kabera’s body was found without its head, which remained missing in the latest reports. Investigators believe the killing may have occurred during the night of October 16 or in the early hours of October 17.
Local residents reportedly discovered the remains and alerted authorities. The body was subsequently taken to Mulago City Mortuary for examination.
Police have said they are investigating the murder and other circumstances surrounding Kabera’s life. As of the latest reports, no suspects had been publicly identified and no motive had been confirmed.
The investigation will be important not only in identifying those responsible but also in establishing whether the killing was connected to Kabera’s personal circumstances, political criticism or another motive. Those possibilities remain unproven.
The Rwandan government had not publicly commented on the killing in the reports available at the time of publication.
Renewed concerns about dissidents in exile
Kabera’s death has revived concerns about the safety of Rwandan opposition figures and former officials living outside their country.
Several prominent critics of Kagame have been killed abroad in previous years. Patrick Karegeya, a former Rwandan intelligence chief who became an opponent of the government, was found dead in a hotel room in Johannesburg in 2014. In 2021, former Rwandan army officer Revocat Karemangingo was shot dead in Mozambique, while opposition figure Seif Bamporiki was killed in South Africa.
These cases have contributed to allegations by opposition figures and rights advocates that Rwandan critics face threats beyond the country’s borders. The Rwandan government has denied allegations that it systematically targets opponents abroad.
The circumstances of Kabera’s killing have not yet established that it was politically motivated. Nevertheless, the case raises questions about whether exiled critics can safely exercise their freedom of expression and whether host countries can adequately protect people who fear persecution.
Uganda has hosted Rwandan refugees and other exiles for years. The case places renewed focus on the responsibility of authorities to investigate attacks against residents, regardless of nationality, and to ensure that political considerations do not obstruct the pursuit of justice.
Accountability and protection for exiles
For Uganda, the immediate priority is a thorough investigation that identifies the perpetrators, establishes a motive where possible and brings those responsible to justice. Investigators will also need to determine what happened in the hours before Kabera’s death and locate his missing head.
For Rwanda, the case is likely to intensify scrutiny of the country’s record on political dissent, although responsibility for the killing cannot be assigned without evidence.
More broadly, the case highlights a protection challenge across the region: political exile does not necessarily eliminate the risks faced by critics of powerful governments. Host countries need effective systems for responding to threats, investigating violence and protecting people who may be vulnerable because of their political views.
Kabera’s death remains an active criminal investigation. Until the authorities establish who killed him and why, claims about responsibility or political motive must be treated with caution.
The outcome will matter beyond his family. A credible investigation could help establish accountability and reassure other exiles that attacks against them will be taken seriously. Failure to resolve the case could deepen fears among Rwandan dissidents living abroad.
