Rwandan Dissident Robert Kabera Found Beheaded in Uganda

Robert Kabera, a 50-year-old Rwandan dissident, former army sergeant major, and popular YouTuber, was found beheaded in Uganda on October 17, 2026, prompting a police investigation and raising concerns among exiled Rwandan government critics[1][6][11]. His death highlights ongoing fears for the safety of opponents to Rwanda's government living abroad, following a pattern of alleged targeting of President Paul Kagame's critics[7][12]. His widow, Jeanne d'Arc Rwigema Uwizeye, stated, “It is scary. I feel crazy, the children and I don't have security”[6][12][13].

What the records show

Kabera had fled Rwanda in 2020 after the Rwandan military accused him of unlawful sexual contact with a family member[6][9]. He denied these allegations, asserting they were politically motivated[6][10]. He then sought asylum in Uganda[1][10][12]. A 2008 profile in the local New Times newspaper noted his prior service as a soldier and musician with the Army Jazz Band in Rwanda[9]. After arriving in Uganda, Kabera established a YouTube channel named “Major Robert TV,” which amassed over 144,000 subscribers and featured more than 800 videos criticizing the Rwandan government and promoting opposition figures like Victoire Ingabire[3][5][9][12][13]. His brother, Victor Agaba, said that their “problem comes from home” and that the army “created a criminal case against him. It was a witch hunt”[5].

The timeline

What changed and for whom

What we could not confirm