Former head of Rwanda’s presidential guard, Col Tom Byabagamba, has died in prison 12 years after he was arrested and detained by authorities.
Byabagamba, 59, who once served as President Paul Kagame’s personal bodyguard, was arrested in 2014 alongside his brother-in-law, retired Brigadier-General Frank Rusagara.
The two men were accused of spreading rumours and tarnishing the image of Rwanda and its government.
Family Unaware of Cause of Death
Byabagamba’s brother, David Himbara, told the BBC that the family had not been informed of the cause of death.
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He said the family had been unable to see Byabagamba during his years in detention.
15-Year Sentence
A military court convicted Byabagamba in 2016 and sentenced him to 21 years in prison. His sentence was later reduced to 15 years following an appeal.
Rusagara, who previously served as secretary-general of Rwanda’s defence ministry, was sentenced to 20 years.
He died in prison in March 2025. His family was reportedly told by authorities that he had been suffering from cancer.
Human Rights Watch had previously criticised the cases against the two former military officers, describing the trial as flawed and raising allegations of torture and interference with witnesses.
Campaign group Freedom Now also described their detention as arbitrary and said it violated international law.
Byabagamba consistently denied the allegations against him, maintaining that the accusations were fabricated.
Rights Groups Raise Concerns
Human rights organisations have repeatedly accused Kagame’s government of restricting political opposition and suppressing critics both inside and outside Rwanda.
Byabagamba’s death comes months after the death of Rusagara, renewing concerns over the treatment of former military officials who have fallen out of favour with the government.
Byabagamba is survived by his wife and two sons.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.