A former Rwandan soldier and outspoken critic of President Paul Kagame has been found dead in Uganda, with police investigating his killing.
Robert Kabera, who had been living in exile, was found beheaded in a village near the Ugandan capital, Kampala.
According to AFP, Ugandan authorities confirmed that relatives had identified the body. However, investigators have not established who was responsible for the killing or the motive behind it.
The discovery has raised concerns among Rwandan opposition figures living abroad.
Ugandan police investigate Robert Kabera killing
Ugandan police said Kabera’s body was discovered in Luwala, a village near Kampala.
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirmed on Monday that investigators were examining the murder of a man believed to be around 50 years old.
Authorities said the victim had been decapitated and that his head had not been recovered.
Investigators believe the killing took place late on October 16 or early on October 17.
Relatives subsequently identified the victim as Robert Kabera.
Police have not announced any arrests or identified suspects in connection with the case.
Who was Robert Kabera?
Kabera was a former sergeant in Rwanda’s military who fled the country several years ago.
Although he was not publicly critical of the government during his military service, he later became an outspoken opponent of President Paul Kagame.
While living in Uganda, Kabera operated a YouTube channel called Major Robert TV.
The channel had approximately 144,000 subscribers and featured political commentary.
Kabera also published content supporting opposition figure Victoire Ingabire, who has faced repeated imprisonment in Rwanda.
His growing criticism of the Rwandan government made him a recognised voice among sections of the country’s exiled opposition.
Family raises concerns over his past in Rwanda
Kabera’s brother, Victor Agaba, told AFP that the former soldier had not experienced personal disputes while living in Uganda.
Agaba suggested that his brother’s problems were connected to his past in Rwanda.
He described the criminal proceedings previously brought against Kabera as politically motivated.
After leaving Rwanda, Kabera had been declared a fugitive and accused of corrupting a minor.
However, he denied the allegations.
The family’s statements have raised questions about possible motives, although Ugandan investigators have not established any connection between the killing and Kabera’s political activities.
Previous killings of Rwandan opposition figures abroad
Kabera’s death comes amid a history of attacks involving Rwandan government critics living outside the country.
Rwandan authorities have faced allegations of involvement in attacks against political opponents abroad. However, responsibility for Kabera’s killing remains unknown.
In 2021, former Rwandan army lieutenant Revocat Karemangingo was shot dead in Mozambique.
That same year, opposition activist Seif Bamporiki was killed in South Africa.
Earlier, in 2014, former Rwandan intelligence chief Patrick Karegeya was found strangled in a hotel room in South Africa.
Another prominent opposition figure, former general Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa, has survived several assassination attempts while living in exile.
These cases have contributed to concerns about the safety of Rwandan political dissidents abroad.
Questions remain over Kabera’s death
President Paul Kagame has governed Rwanda since 2000, after becoming the country’s leading political figure following the 1994 genocide.
His administration has faced criticism over political freedoms and its treatment of opposition figures.
However, the circumstances surrounding Kabera’s death remain unclear.
Ugandan authorities have not publicly identified those responsible or provided evidence linking the killing to any government or political organisation.
For now, investigators are working to establish the circumstances of the murder.
The case is likely to attract continued attention as police seek answers and Kabera’s family awaits further information.