Rwanda's Ex-Presidential Guard Chief Dies in Prison After 12 Years

Tom Byabagamba, a former commander of Rwanda's elite presidential guard who was later convicted of inciting insurrection, has died in prison. He was 59 and had spent 12 years in custody.

His brother, David Himbara, a former presidential adviser now living in exile, announced the death on Tuesday. Himbara said the family was mourning the loss of Byabagamba, who had been stripped of his colonel rank. No cause of death was provided.

Byabagamba led the presidential guard until 2010, when he was removed from his post following an apparent falling out with President Paul Kagame. No official reason was given at the time.

He was detained in August 2014 alongside Brigadier Frank Rusagara. In 2016, a military court sentenced them on charges including inciting insurrection and damaging the government's image. An appeal in 2019 reduced Byabagamba's initial 21-year term to 15 years. Rusagara died in prison last year.

Human Rights Watch and other critics have described the trial as flawed, saying it fit a broader pattern of silencing government critics. Rwandan authorities have not commented on Byabagamba's death.

Kagame is widely credited with rebuilding Rwanda after the 1994 genocide, but his government faces persistent accusations of suppressing dissent, muzzling media, and targeting opponents. The administration denies these allegations.