Rwandan military officer Sgt. Maj. Robert Kabera, a former Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) instructor who fled to Uganda in 2020 and later became a vocal critic of the government in Kigali, has been found decapitated, raising concerns among Rwandan dissidents over the safety of exiles in the region.
Kabera was reportedly killed on October 17, 2026. Details surrounding the circumstances of his death, the location where his body was discovered and the people responsible were not immediately available.
The former military instructor fled Rwanda in November 2020 after disputing allegations arising from an RDF investigation. He subsequently became an outspoken critic of the Rwandan government.
In 2021, Kabera reportedly appealed to Ugandan authorities for protection, citing threats to his safety.
His killing has sparked accusations of possible transnational repression by the Rwandan government, with dissidents calling for an independent investigation into the circumstances of his death.
The allegations have not been independently established, and it remains unclear who was responsible for the killing.
The case has renewed concerns about the security of political exiles and government critics living outside their countries of origin, particularly in the Great Lakes region, where political tensions and disputes between neighbouring states have periodically affected regional relations.
Kabera’s death also comes as Rwanda attracts international attention following its Formula One deal, amid continuing scrutiny of the country’s human rights record.
Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have raised concerns in previous reports about restrictions on dissent, alleged abuses and developments linked to regional conflicts.
However, no evidence has been provided establishing a direct connection between Kabera’s killing and Rwanda’s Formula One agreement.
Ugandan authorities had not immediately issued a statement on the killing, and it was unclear whether a formal investigation had been launched.
