# Rwandan Government Critic Robert Kabera Found Beheaded in Uganda

> The headless body of Robert Kabera, an outspoken critic of the Rwandan government, was discovered in Uganda, prompting calls for a thorough investigation into the killing of the exiled former soldier.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-23T19:34:19.823087Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/rwandan-government-critic-robert-kabera-found-beheaded-in-uganda-7b6af6f6

Robert Kabera, a 50-year-old prominent Rwandan government critic and former army sergeant major, was found beheaded in Uganda on October 17, 2026, prompting a police investigation into his death [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][10]. His headless body was discovered in Luwala village, near Kampala, and his head remains unrecovered [1][2][5][6][8].

Kabera's death raises significant concerns about the safety of Rwandan exiles living in Uganda, particularly those who publicly criticize the Rwandan government [3][4]. Human Rights Watch has called for a thorough investigation, citing Kabera's explicit fears for his life due to his activism [4].

## What the records show
Ugandan police confirmed the discovery and identification of Kabera's body on Monday, October 19, 2026 [1][2][5][8]. Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke stated that investigations into the murder of the 50-year-old are ongoing, with his head still missing [1][2][6][8]. Local residents discovered Kabera's headless body in a eucalyptus plantation on October 17, 2026 [4][6][7]. His brother, Victor Agaba, identified the body [7]. As of October 20, 2026, police had not identified any suspects [1][9].

Kabera, known as "Sergeant Robert," fled Rwanda to Uganda in November 2020, seeking asylum and claiming political persecution [2][3][4][5][7]. He denied sexual assault allegations leveled by the Rwandan military [2][3][4]. In Uganda, Kabera became an outspoken critic of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, operating a YouTube channel with over 140,000 subscribers, featuring more than 800 critical videos [1][2][3][5].

## Kabera's fears and the investigation
Kabera had expressed profound fears for his life while in exile. In a September 2022 interview with Human Rights Watch, he stated, "They will kill me. They know where I am … I will die before I get resettled" [4]. The Ugandan police inspector general confirmed in May 2023 that Kabera had been granted asylum and was receiving additional security, in the final stages of resettlement [4]. In October 2023, local leaders reported an attack on Kabera by three men to police [7][10].

On October 16, 2026, Kabera traveled from Kampala to Luwala village [2][7][10]. Police believe the killing occurred late that day or early October 17 [1][6][8]. His widow, Jeanne d'Arc Rwigema Uwizeye, expressed fear for her family's safety [2][3]. The opposition Rwanda National Congress (RNC) called for a thorough investigation and protection for Rwandan exiles [2][3]. Human Rights Watch urged Ugandan authorities to conduct a prompt, impartial, and credible investigation, examining all evidence pointing to a politically motivated killing [4]. The Rwandan government has not publicly commented on Kabera's death [2][3][5].

## What we could not confirm
The motive for Kabera's killing has not been established [3][5][9]. No suspects have been identified in the ongoing investigation [1][9]. A connection between the October 2023 attack on Kabera and his murder has not been established [9].

## Evidence cited
1. Exiled Rwandan government critic found beheaded in Uganda (Al Jazeera) — https://aljazeera.com/
2. Rwandan President Kagame’s Critic Found Beheaded In Uganda (Sahara Reporters) — https://saharareporters.com/
3. Rwandan Kagame critic Robert Kabera found beheaded in Uganda (africanews.com) — https://africanews.com/
4. Uganda: Investigate Rwandan Dissident’s Killing | Human Rights Watch (Human Rights Watch) — https://hrw.org/
5. Rwandan dissident found beheaded in Uganda (The Washington Post) — https://washingtonpost.com/
6. Uganda: Police Break Silence On Murder of Rwandan Dissident Beheaded in Mpigi (AllAfrica) — https://allafrica.com/
7. Rwandan ex-soldier found beheaded in Mpigi (The Observer) — https://observer.ug/
8. Uganda Police confirms murder by beheading of Rwandan dissident Sergeant Major Robert Kabera in Mpigi (Pulse Uganda) — https://pulse.ug/
9. Robert Kabera's family asks Uganda police to recover his missing head and bring killers to justice (Kinyarwanda) (YouTube) — https://youtube.com/watch?v=2r1p8W5hJkU
10. Kabera's Family Begs Police to Recover His Missing Head - East African Watch (eastafricanwatch.net) — https://eastafricanwatch.net/kaberass-family-begs-police-to-recover-his-missing-head/