Key facts
- Tom Byabagamba, former head of Rwanda's presidential guard, died in jail at age 59.
- He was arrested in 2014 and convicted of spreading rumors and tarnishing the government's image.
- Byabagamba maintained his innocence, calling the charges fabricated.
- Human Rights Watch described his trial as flawed and alleged torture and witness tampering.
- He was sentenced to 15 years in prison after an initial 21-year sentence was reduced on appeal.
- His brother-in-law, retired brigadier-general Frank Rusagara, also died in prison last year.
Tom Byabagamba, the 59-year-old former head of Rwanda's presidential guard and ex-personal bodyguard to President Paul Kagame, has died in prison. Byabagamba was arrested in 2014 alongside his brother-in-law, retired brigadier-general Frank Rusagara, on charges of "spreading rumours" and "tarnishing the image of the country and government." He consistently denied these allegations, asserting they were fabricated.
Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Freedom Now, have expressed concern over the cases, characterizing them as part of a broader pattern of government repression. HRW noted that Byabagamba's trial was flawed, with serious allegations of torture and witness tampering. He was initially convicted and sentenced to 21 years in prison, a term later reduced to 15 years on appeal. Rusagara received a 20-year sentence.
Rusagara himself died in prison in March of the previous year. HRW described his death as "lonely," noting that his family had not heard from him since shortly before his 2014 arrest. Authorities informed his family that he had been ill with cancer. Byabagamba is survived by his wife and two sons.