Robert Kabera, a former Rwandan army sergeant major and outspoken critic of President Paul Kagame, has been found dead in Uganda, with police investigating the circumstances surrounding his killing.
Kabera’s headless body was reportedly discovered on Saturday, October 17, 2026, in Luwala village in Mpigi District, outside Uganda’s capital, Kampala. Police confirmed that they were investigating the case as a murder, although the motive and identities of any suspects had not been established in the reports available.
At the time of the reports, Kabera’s head had not been recovered, adding to the questions surrounding the killing. Investigators were working to establish what happened and identify those responsible.
Kabera, estimated to be about 50 years old, had reportedly left Rwanda in 2020 and settled in Uganda, saying he feared persecution. He subsequently became known for his criticism of the Rwandan government, using his YouTube channel, Major Robert TV, to discuss political developments and express his views about Kagame’s administration.
The channel reportedly attracted more than 140,000 subscribers, making him a visible voice among Rwandan government critics living outside the country.
His death has renewed attention to concerns about the safety of political dissidents and exiled critics in the region. However, investigators had not publicly established that his killing was politically motivated, and no confirmed evidence in the reports reviewed linked any individual or government to the crime.
Kabera had previously faced allegations from the Rwandan military involving unlawful sexual contact with a family member. He denied the allegation and maintained that the accusations against him were part of a politically motivated campaign.
His family also questioned the circumstances surrounding the accusations. His brother, Victor Agaba, reportedly described the allegations as a “witch-hunt” and said Kabera had not experienced problems with people in Uganda.
The allegations and Kabera’s political activities have become part of the wider context surrounding public discussion of his death. Nevertheless, they do not establish who killed him or the reason for the attack.
The killing comes amid continuing debate over the treatment of critics of Rwanda’s leadership, including individuals who have left the country and continued to speak publicly about its government.
Rwanda’s government has faced criticism from some opposition figures and rights advocates over its treatment of dissent, while the circumstances of individual cases require separate investigation and verification.
At the time of the reports, Rwandan authorities had not publicly commented on Kabera’s death. Ugandan investigators had yet to announce a confirmed motive or identify suspects in connection with the killing.
The investigation is expected to focus on the circumstances of the discovery, the recovery of missing evidence and the identification of those responsible. Until further findings are made public, questions about the motive and any possible political connection remain unresolved.
Kabera’s death has raised fresh concerns among observers about the security of exiled government critics in East Africa, while the investigation in Uganda continues.
Source: Thepressradio.com
