By East African Report Investigations | Luwala, Mpigi District, Uganda | October 28, 2026
LUWALA, MPIGI — At exactly 7:15 AM on Friday, October 17, 2026, a 62-year-old farmer who had gone to inspect his eucalyptus plantation in Luwala Village, Kamengo Sub-county, stumbled upon what he thought was a sack of cement dumped among the trees.
When he moved closer, he realized it was a human body — without a head.
That body was later identified as Robert Kabera, 50, a former Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) military instructor, musician, and popular YouTuber known to thousands as “Sgt Robert” — an outspoken critic of the Kigali government who had lived in exile in Uganda since November 19, 2020.
East African Report has spoken exclusively to two residents who were among the first to arrive at the scene. Both requested anonymity for security reasons.
What Residents Saw:
“The body was lying face down, in a small trench. The head was completely cut off from the neck. There was very little blood on the ground — it looked like he was killed somewhere else and then dumped here,” one resident told EAR.
“He was known here as Afande Robert. He was very quiet, respectful. He bought a small plot here eight months ago and was building a two-room house. He came here three times a week from Kampala. He had no problem with anyone in Luwala.”
According to residents, Kabera arrived in Luwala on the evening of October 16 with his regular boda boda rider identified only as Innocent. He greeted his brother Victor Agaba, then went to a nearby bar in Luwala trading centre. He was last seen around 11:30 PM when he returned home to collect his phone.
His brother became worried the next morning when his house remained closed.
6-Hour Police Delay:
Residents say they immediately alerted the LC1 Chairperson at 7:30 AM. The chairperson called Mpigi Police.
Police arrived at 1:40 PM — more than six hours later.“By that time, hundreds of people had gathered. Stray dogs had come near the body. We were chasing them away. Police did not come with a sniffer dog or forensic team. They just took a few photos with their phones and left the body there,” a second witness said.
The body was finally removed from the scene at 6:15 PM and taken to Mpigi Health Centre IV mortuary, before being transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital for post-mortem and DNA confirmation.
Police confirmed they recovered at the scene a large wooden stick suspected to have been used to strike him, two beer bottles — one empty, one half-full — and Kabera’s shoes.
The body was identified by his brother through a distinct scar on his right thumb.
Head Still Missing:
Uganda Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke told East African Report on October 18: “Up to now the head has not been recovered. We recovered the body without the head. The killers went with the head.”
As of today, October 28, 2026 — 11 days later — the head is still missing.
Forensic experts say the removal of the head complicates identification and suggests a possible attempt to hide the cause of death or to send a message.
A Pattern of Killings:
Robert Kabera fled Rwanda in 2020, claiming persecution after falling out with the establishment due to his closeness to the family of late Gen. Fred Rwigema, founder of the RPF.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have in the past said Rwandan dissidents in Uganda face threats.
On October 27, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Muhozi linking Kabera’s murder to the Rwanda National Congress (RNC) of Gen. Kayumba Nyamwasa — a claim that has sparked debate in Uganda and Rwanda. Police have not officially endorsed that claim.
Uganda Police say investigations are ongoing and no arrests have been made so far.
Kabera’s family is now calling for an independent and thorough investigation, including international forensic support.
This is a developing story. East African Report will continue to update.
Source: East African Report | https://eastafricanreport.com/2026/10/28/inside-luwala-how-residents-found-robert-kaberas-headless-body-police-took-6-hours-to-arrive-head-still-missing/
