Robert Kabera: Critic of Rwandan President Paul Kagame found beheaded in Uganda - BBC News                            (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3lylj78777do)  (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3lylj78777do)  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3lylj78777do)  (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3lylj78777do)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-36.413a37b227.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-48.010dc96bcf.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-57.1fcd0dc805.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-60.52f68a148f.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-72.f155fdb25f.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-76.cb5ee392d4.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-96.35ee2d1e20.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-114.7ccdf53cba.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-120.73e20442a9.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-128.060d346f09.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-144.e08bc23631.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-152.4de1981be0.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-180.1a18cb7b72.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-192.3ac042fa43.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-384.728e3a03d3.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-512.685da29e9e.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/favicon/news/favicon-16.8a240ceacc.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/favicon/news/favicon-32.5cf4e6db02.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/manifest.11b0cb15658c4719a2c19e25644577223adaa7b2.json)   (https://www.bbc.com)   BBC Homepage    (c3lylj78777do@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#main-heading) Skip to content  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility/) Accessibility Help          (https://account.bbc.com/account?lang=en-GB&ptrt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Farticles%2Fc3lylj78777do)    Your account       (https://www.bbc.com) Home  (https://www.bbc.com/news) News  (https://www.bbc.com/sport) Sport  (https://www.bbc.com/future/earth) Earth  (https://www.bbc.com/reel) Reel  (https://www.bbc.com/worklife) Worklife  (https://www.bbc.com/travel) Travel  (https://www.bbc.com/culture) Culture  (https://www.bbc.com/future) Future  (https://www.bbc.com/culture/music) Music  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9m) TV  (https://www.bbc.com/weather) Weather  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds) Sounds   (c3lylj78777do@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#global-navigation-more-menu)    More menu     (c3lylj78777do@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#global-navigation-more-menu)   More menu    (https://www.bbc.com/search?d=NEWS_GNL)    Search BBC      (https://www.bbc.com) Home  (https://www.bbc.com/news) News  (https://www.bbc.com/sport) Sport  (https://www.bbc.com/future/earth) Earth  (https://www.bbc.com/reel) Reel  (https://www.bbc.com/worklife) Worklife  (https://www.bbc.com/travel) Travel  (https://www.bbc.com/culture) Culture  (https://www.bbc.com/future) Future  (https://www.bbc.com/culture/music) Music  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9m) TV  (https://www.bbc.com/weather) Weather  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds) Sounds   (c3lylj78777do@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#more-menu-button)   Close menu          (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news)   BBC News      (c3lylj78777do@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#product-navigation-menu)    Menu  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news) Home   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cmj34zmwm1zt) Climate   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world) World   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/us_and_canada) US & Canada   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk) UK   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business) Business   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology) Tech   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science_and_environment) Science   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment_and_arts) Entertainment & Arts   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health) Health     (c3lylj78777do@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#product-navigation-more-menu)    More     (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in_pictures) In Pictures   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/bbcverify) BBC Verify   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat) Newsbeat         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world) World   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/africa) Africa   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/asia) Asia   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/australia) Australia   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/europe) Europe   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/latin_america) Latin America   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/middle_east) Middle East           Exiled critic of Rwandan president found beheaded      (A middle aged man wearing a black cap, brown sweater and grey t-shirt stares into the camera leaning against a glass frame reflecting a wall and trees)    Image source,  Robert Kabera  Image caption,  Robert Kabera was a popular YouTuber and singer       Published 19 October 2026           A former Rwandan army sergeant major, who became an outspoken critic of President Paul Kagame, has been found beheaded in neighbouring Uganda.  Robert Kabera, 50, fled Rwanda after being accused of sexual assault, which he denied. He sought asylum in neighbouring Uganda, citing political persecution. Ugandan police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke on Monday said that Kabera's head had still not been recovered. His body was discovered by local residents on the outskirts of Kampala over the weekend.  The Rwandan government has not publicly commented on the killing. Several critics of Kagame have been killed, both in Rwanda and abroad. His widow, Jeanne d'Arc Rwigema Uwizeye, told BBC Great Lakes in a written message that she now feared for her family's safety. "It is scary. I feel crazy, the children and I don't have security," she said. According to his family, Kabera had travelled to inspect a construction site about 45 km (30 miles) outside Kampala before his death. Kabera built a public profile as a musician and YouTuber, attracting more than 144,000 subscribers to his channel, which featured over 800 videos, many criticising Kagame and his administration. Reacting to news of his murder, exiled opposition group Rwanda National Congress (RNC) called for a thorough investigation and for those responsible to be brought to justice. In a statement on X, the RNC said: "Today, his family is grieving, his voice is gone, and Rwandans in exile are confronting a terrifying question: where can we be safe?" His death adds to concerns about the safety of Rwandan dissidents living in exile. In 2014, Patrick Karegeya, a former Rwandan intelligence chief who helped set up the RNC, was found dead in his hotel room in Johannesburg, South Africa. Karegeya fell out with President Paul Kagame and was arrested twice, serving an 18-month prison sentence for insubordination and desertion before fleeing to South Africa in 2007, where he became a vocal critic of the government. Following his death, Kagame made remarks widely seen as a warning to other critics. "Any person alive who may be plotting against Rwanda, whoever they are, will pay the price. Whoever it is, it is a matter of time," he said. In 2019, South African authorities issued arrest warrants for two Rwandans accused of murdering Karegeya.     More about Rwanda from the BBC:     (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/articles/c61kdv3k9gm2o) Why Rwanda's deal for F1 race remains controversial       Published 5 days ago             (https://bbc.com/news/articles/cqlwv0vy0x0o) Ex-head of Rwanda's presidential guard dies in jail 12 years after his arrest       Published 26 August         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-61111915) Land of safety - or fear? Why Rwanda divides opinion       Published 14 April 2022              (To the right of the banner a woman with sunglasses on her head and wearing a denim jacket and yellow T-shirt looks down at her mobile phone. A graphic for BBC News Africa in black and red is on the left of the image which has a pale golden brown background.)         Go to  (http://bbcafrica.com/) BBCAfrica.com , external  for more news from the African continent.   Follow us on Twitter  (https://twitter.com/BBCAfrica) @BBCAfrica , external  , on Facebook at  (https://www.facebook.com/BBCnewsafrica/) BBC Africa , external  or on Instagram at  (https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/) bbcafrica , external       Related topics  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/africa) Africa  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cmj34zmwme4t) Uganda  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cxw78kxlg9pt) Paul Kagame  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cwlw3xz0zdet) Rwanda        BBC Africa podcasts (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00gbjvb) Focus on Africa         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xttz8) This Is Africa               (vertical video collection) The video playlist   Watch our pick of standout clips from across the BBC      Previous     Next         1:08 Russell Brand accuser: 'I closed my eyes and tried not to be there' 00:01:08, play video Russell Brand accuser: 'I closed my eyes and tried not to be there'    (Russell Brand leaving court wearing sunglasses, a medium length grey coat, and a blue shirt with a cravat, with other necklaces. He has long hair and a full salt and pepper beard.)           0:53 'We didn't know a cold sore could kill a baby' 00:00:53, play video 'We didn't know a cold sore could kill a baby'    (A baby girl with her eyes closed. She is wearing a a pink top with flowers on it and the words "Little Sister")           1:01 Selena Gomez says vaping has changed her voice. 00:01:01, play video Selena Gomez says vaping has changed her voice    (Selena Gomez looking directly forward into the camera - she has shoulder length brown hair and a gold top)           0:44 People playing loud music on buses could be fined. 00:00:44, play video People playing loud music on buses could be fined    (A young woman with curly blonde hair listens to music on her phone on public transport.)           0:55 Can you cheat on your partner with a video game character? 00:00:55, play video Can you cheat on your partner with a video game character?    (A woman with blonde hair pulls a face)           1:01 'It's one of the most polluted places in the world right now' 00:01:01, play video 'It's one of the most polluted places in the world right now'    (A woman stands looking at the camera wearing a protective mask.)           0:46 Gromit to get a voice after 37 years. 00:00:46, play video Gromit to get a voice after 37 years    (A plasticine sits in a chair)           0:54 Four arrested after police officer injured in shooting. 00:00:54, play video Four arrested after police officer injured in shooting    (The front right tyre of a police car in front of some crime scene tape. Behind the tape, two forensics officers in white suits are carrying out an investigation.)           0:28 How Christian Horner's wife predicted his 'brutal' sacking. 00:00:28, play video How Christian Horner's wife predicted his 'brutal' sacking    (Christian Horner in 5 Live studio)           1:10 Why is Gen Z protesting around the world? 00:01:10, play video Why is Gen Z protesting around the world?    (A high school student is holding a blue, white, and red tricolor flag bearing the inscription Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite in front of her high school.)           0:54 What are the new faces coming to UK bank notes? 00:00:54, play video What are the new faces coming to UK bank notes?    (Several £10 and £20 notes lying on top of each other.)           1:40 'I became a bodybuilder after turning 40' 00:01:40, play video 'I became a bodybuilder after turning 40'    (A woman wearing a white bikini holds a trophy)           0:34 Why are pumpkins smaller this Halloween? 00:00:34, play video Why are pumpkins smaller this Halloween?    (A woman with brown hair and glasses holds a pumpkin)           1:06 How the music on The Traitors manipulates your emotions. 00:01:06, play video How the music on The Traitors manipulates your emotions    (Claudia Winkleman in the Traitors)           0:27 Homes destroyed as wildfires rage in California. 00:00:27, play video Homes destroyed as wildfires rage in California    (Thick black smoke billows out of the roof of a home on fire in California)           1:10 Did Tesla just unveil a flying car? 00:01:10, play video Did Tesla just unveil a flying car?    (A white Tesla Roadster car appearing to fly)               Top stories (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx30ez03djyqo) Curfew imposed in parts of central Paris and other cities after rioting across France     Published 4 hours ago            (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cwr7y0e57r50o) Clean up begins after French riots but police remain     Published 3 hours ago            (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cklyj1477edjt)     Live.    Driver who hit Australian MP reversed to 'do it a second time', minister says     1636 viewing 1.6k viewing                 More to explore (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9vgr43l7pdpo) I have a condition people are too embarrassed to talk about      (A woman with brown hair that is tied up in a ponytail smiling, she is wearing a white sleeveless top, the background is a dock.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj62y9dnd6pwo) The singles choosing in-person dating events over apps      (Olivia Miller-Davis, with long blue hair and glasses, sits smiling in a bar)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6r7y0vkz2yno) 'The French correction' and 'Labour cuts £2bn from Army'      (Newspaper headlines: 'The French correction' and 'Labour cuts £2bn from Army')         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cmlyljlzw487o)    Born in jail to a mum with a heroin addiction - how US teenager Abby has been affected by drugs. Video Born in jail to a mum with a heroin addiction - how US teenager Abby has been affected by drugs           (A close up of Abby, with long brown hair)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6x2we04jnvpo) 'We didn't know a cold sore could kill a baby'      (Ben and Meg stand outside. Ben is wearing a navy quarter zip top and checked shirt. Meg is wearing a black top and necklace.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckr5y832v8ddo) The portraits that helped bring the lost Aberfan children home      (A montage of eight paintings showing the faces of nine children who died in the Aberfan disaster)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6pwgzkj8zzgo) Inside the shadowy world of anti-Putin sabotage from within Russia      (A designed image in red, white, yellow and blue, showing a drone on the left and a man wearing a baseball cap and dark glasses on the right)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c60rl1xvjv89o) Don't fall for this - how to protect yourself from AI scams      (Close up of a young woman in a jumper looking at her mobile phone)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsletters/zgmn46f) US Politics Unspun: Cut through the noise with Anthony Zurcher's newsletter      (A cut of of Anthony Zurcher wearing a suit and tie in front of a red, black, grey and blue graphic background featuring the US Capitol Building)             Elsewhere on the BBC (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0032cxq?at_mid=SwuBKrTO6u&at_campaign=Here_for_the_History_Modern_Toilets&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=p0ns1h35&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=Here_for_the_History_Modern_Toilets&at_bbc_team=BBC) Here for the History explores the origins of modern toilets        (Here for the History: Modern Toilets)        (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0032r4k?at_mid=BBrTjTlg7x&at_campaign=The_Infinite_Monkey_Cage_S35_The_First_Britons&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=sounds&at_brand=b00snr0w&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=The_Infinite_Monkey_Cage_S35_The_First_Britons&at_bbc_team=BBC) Discover the very first people to land on the British Isles        (The Infinite Monkey Cage)        (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002zl60/watch/p0pgwlzz?at_mid=fpoYXSlZYA&at_campaign=BBC_Trailers_Blue_Planet_III&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=m002zl60&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=BBC_Trailers_Blue_Planet_III&at_bbc_team=BBC) The Wonder Starts Here. First look at Sir David Attenborough's Blue Planet III        (Blue Planet III)        (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0032qp4?at_mid=cr6bjAOg1s&at_campaign=Room_101_with_Paul_Merton_S4_E1_Miles_Jupp&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=sounds&at_brand=m001x0mr&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=Room_101_with_Paul_Merton_S4_E1_Miles_Jupp&at_bbc_team=BBC) What would Miles Jupp banish to Room 101        (Room 101 with Paul Merton)            Most read 1 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9vgr43l7pdpo) I have a condition people are too embarrassed to talk about       2 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv62yzddy6dpo) Criminals detained in hospital set to lose benefits       3 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6r7y0vkz2yno) 'The French correction' and 'Labour cuts £2bn from Army'       4 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ck87ze7wl4qno) Burnham vows end to 'rip-off parking charges' under new rules       5 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmglwnw2d3d8o) Charging battery believed to have caused house fire       6 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx30ez03djyqo) Curfew imposed in parts of central Paris and other cities after rioting across France       7 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6ev30xwy8v2o) 'I started ketamine at 14 and needed nappies at 22' - the rise of young people going to rehab       8 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmx2wqwxvyxlo) Kylie Jenner's debut at Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in $50m bra sparks mixed reaction       9 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvj6jylk3456o) Woman says she 'closed eyes and tried not to be there' during alleged Russell Brand rape       10 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmj47yx572z5o) Ukrainians dying because US restricting intelligence sharing, Zelensky adviser tells BBC               BBC News Services  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10628994)    On your mobile  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/help-50068132)    On smart speakers  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10628323)    Get news alerts  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/20039682)    Contact BBC News     (https://www.bbc.com) Home  (https://www.bbc.com/news) News  (https://www.bbc.com/sport) Sport  (https://www.bbc.com/future/earth) Earth  (https://www.bbc.com/reel) Reel  (https://www.bbc.com/worklife) Worklife  (https://www.bbc.com/travel) Travel  (https://www.bbc.com/culture) Culture  (https://www.bbc.com/future) Future  (https://www.bbc.com/culture/music) Music  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9m) TV  (https://www.bbc.com/weather) Weather  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds) Sounds   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/usingthebbc/terms) Terms of Use  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc) About the BBC  (https://www.bbc.com/usingthebbc/privacy) Privacy Policy  (https://www.bbc.com/usingthebbc/cookies) Cookies  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility) Accessibility Help  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/guidance) Parental Guidance  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact) Contact the BBC  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/careers) Careers  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcnewsletter) BBC emails for you  (https://www.bbc.com/advertisingcontact/) Advertise with us    Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/guidance/links-and-feeds) Read about our approach to external linking.         ()