Former Rwandan presidential guard chief Tom Byabagamba has died in prison at the age of 59.
Byabagamba once served as a personal bodyguard to President Paul Kagame. Authorities arrested him in 2014 along with his brother-in-law, retired Brigadier-General Frank Rusagara.
The authorities accused both men of spreading rumours and damaging the image of Rwanda’s government. Byabagamba rejected the accusations throughout his trial. He said the allegations against him were fabricated.
His family still does not know the exact cause of his death.
Byabagamba’s brother, David Himbara, told the BBC Great Lakes service that relatives had not been allowed to see him during his years in detention.
Military Court Sentenced Byabagamba
A military court convicted Byabagamba in 2016 and initially sentenced him to 21 years in prison.
An appeal later reduced his sentence to 15 years.
Rusagara also received a lengthy prison sentence. The former defence ministry secretary-general received 20 years after his conviction.
Rights organisations raised concerns about both cases. They argued that the proceedings formed part of a broader pattern of political repression in Rwanda.
Human Rights Watch previously described the trial as flawed. The organisation also cited allegations of torture and witness tampering.
Freedom Now separately criticised the men’s detention. The campaign group described it as arbitrary and said it violated international law.
Rusagara Died in Prison Last Year
Byabagamba’s death follows the death of Rusagara in prison.
Rusagara died in March last year after spending about 11 years behind bars.
At the time, Human Rights Watch described his death as the “lonely death of a general.” The organisation said his family had not heard his voice since shortly before his arrest in 2014.
Authorities told Rusagara’s family that he had suffered from cancer.
His death increased concerns over the treatment of former military officials imprisoned after the two men’s arrests.
Rights Groups Criticise Kagame Government
Rights groups have repeatedly accused President Paul Kagame’s government of restricting political opposition and suppressing critics.
Some critics have also faced pressure outside Rwanda, according to rights organisations.
The government has rejected accusations that it systematically silences political opponents. Kagame’s administration has instead defended its record on security and political stability.
The cases of Byabagamba and Rusagara have remained controversial because both men held senior positions within Rwanda’s military establishment.
Byabagamba denied the allegations against him and maintained that authorities had wrongly prosecuted him.
Family Mourns Former Presidential Guard Chief
Byabagamba leaves behind his wife and two sons.
His family now faces further questions about the circumstances surrounding his death.
The reported lack of access to him during his imprisonment has also renewed concerns from rights groups about the treatment of prisoners in politically sensitive cases.
Rwanda guard dies after more than a decade in detention, ending a long and controversial chapter in the case of a former senior military officer who once served close to President Kagame.
