# Rwandan Dissident Robert Kabera Found Beheaded in Uganda

> Robert Kabera, a former Rwandan army sergeant major and vocal critic of President Paul Kagame, was discovered decapitated near Kampala, sparking a police investigation.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-20T14:50:59.622709Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/rwandan-dissident-robert-kabera-found-beheaded-in-uganda-e5a1fdcf

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, approximately 50 years old, was discovered decapitated in a bush in the Kamengo area of Mpigi District, near Kampala [6][11]. As of October 19, 2026, his head had not been recovered [3][4][6]. Ugandan police confirmed his death on Monday, October 19, 2026, after residents and his brother identified his remains [3][6][9].

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
The murder is believed to have taken place late on October 16 or early on October 17, 2026 [5][8]. His body was found on Saturday, October 17, 2026 [6]. Ugandan police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirmed Kabera's death and the ongoing search for his head on Monday, October 19, 2026 [3][4][5]. Superintendent of Police Lydia Tumushabe also confirmed these details [6][9][11].

## What changed and for whom
Kabera's death has intensified scrutiny on Rwanda's alleged involvement in targeting its exiled opponents [1]. The exiled opposition group, Rwanda National Congress (RNC), has called for a thorough investigation into the murder, demanding justice for those responsible [12]. The RNC stated that Rwandans in exile are now “confronting a terrifying question: where can we be safe?” [12]. Rwandan authorities have faced persistent accusations of assassinating opponents of President Paul Kagame, who has been Rwanda's de facto leader since the 1994 genocide [2][5][8][9]. This pattern includes the 2014 death of Patrick Karegeya, a former Rwandan intelligence chief and RNC co-founder, who was found dead in a hotel room in Johannesburg, South Africa, after becoming a vocal critic of Kagame [12][13].

## What we could not confirm
Ugandan police have not yet established a motive for the killing or identified those responsible [3][6]. There was no immediate public comment from the Rwandan government on Kabera's killing as of Monday, October 19, 2026 [6][9][12][13].

## Evidence cited
1. Exiled critic of Rwandan president found beheaded (www.bbc.co.uk) — https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3lylj78777do?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
2. Exiled critic of Rwandan President Kagame found beheaded in Uganda (www.france24.com) — https://www.france24.com/en/video/20261020-exiled-critic-of-rwandan-president-kagame-found-beheaded-in-uganda
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