By : East African Report | Kakuma, Rift Valley / Kampala / Stockholm | November 2-3, 2026
The head is still missing. Day 18.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for an impartial and transparent investigation, as exclusive testimony obtained by East African Report from Kakuma, Rift Valley Province reveals growing fear among Rwandan refugees.
1. THE MPIGI MURDER — TIMELINE:
– Oct 17, 2026, 2:00 PM: Locals find headless body in eucalyptus plantation, Luwala village, Kammengo Sub-county, 12km from Mpigi town. Body was in a swamp near Kabera’s unfinished house.
– Oct 17, 8:00 PM: Mpigi Police arrive — 6 hours late, locals say.
– Oct 18: Body moved to Gombe Hospital, then to Wandegeya forensic laboratory and Mulago Mortuary, Kampala.
– Oct 20: Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirms: “We are investigating the murder of a male adult, around 50, whose head was cut off, and up to now the head has not yet been recovered. We recovered the body without the head. The killers went with the head.”
– Oct 20-29: 7 witnesses questioned. No arrests.
– Oct 29 — Day 11: Wandegeya lab yet to release forensic report promised in 72 hours.
– Oct 31 — Day 15: Head still missing, police silent, family loses hope.
– Nov 2 — Day 17: Still no head. This is Day 18 today, Nov 3.
Brother Victor Agaba told East African Report: “My brother thought Uganda was safe. He left Rwanda because he was threatened after criticizing. Now his head is missing. We want answers.”
2. WHO WAS ROBERT KABERA?
– 50 years old (some reports say 43), popularly known as Sergeant Robert, Major Robert.
– Former Sergeant Major in Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), military instructor, soloist in RDF Army Jazz Band.
– Fled Rwanda in November 2020, claiming political persecution. Granted asylum in Uganda.
– In May 2023 letter, Uganda Inspector General of Police confirmed Kabera was under additional protection and in final stages of third-country resettlement.
– In September 2022 interview with HRW, Kabera said: “They will kill me. They know where I am … I will die before I get resettled.”
– Ran YouTube channel “Major Robert TV” with 144,000 subscribers, criticizing President Paul Kagame, praising opposition figure Victoire Ingabire.
– On Nov 23, 2020, RDF announced investigation into “defilement allegations” against him, two days after he said he left Rwanda.
3. HRW — WHAT IT SAYS:
On October 24, 2026, HRW issued statement:
> “Ugandan authorities’ obligation to conduct an effective investigation into the brutal killing of a Rwandan dissident requires examining all evidence that points to a possible politically motivated killing,” said HRW. “Ugandan authorities should ensure a prompt, impartial, credible investigation that leads to accountability.”
– HRW said pattern shows Rwandan exiles attacked in Uganda and South Africa.
– Cited its 2023 report on extraterritorial repression.
– Said authorities worldwide should protect Rwandans fleeing persecution.
– Noted Kabera had reported threats and attacks in Uganda since 2021.
Rwanda government has not issued specific statement on Kabera murder. It previously denied involvement in killing exiles.
4. RIFT VALLEY EXCLUSIVE TESTIMONY — “ANOTHER VOICE UNDER THREAT”:
After Mpigi, East African Report obtained exclusive testimony from Rift Valley — Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya, where over 50,000 refugees are sheltering (including Rwandans, Ethiopians from Moyale).
A Rwandan dissident voice living in Kakuma, Rift Valley Province, KE — the location where this report is filed — said on condition of anonymity for security reasons:
> “After the murder of Robert Kabera, we all feel under threat. I am also a voice that criticizes, and I am here in Rift Valley. Kabera was in Uganda, he thought it was safe. Now he is beheaded, head missing. This tells us there is nowhere safe anymore. The killers took the head to hide identity and to intimidate us.”
This testimony matches HRW findings that Rwandan exiles face surveillance and threats abroad. The source requested protection.
East African Report network: Mpigi (Uganda) + Moyale (50,000 refugees Kenya/Ethiopia) + Hurso (Ethiopia) + Kakuma (Kenya) + Kigali + Rift Valley testimony. The outlet ranks #1 on Google for “Robert Kabera beheaded” coverage, outranking Nation Media Group.
5. MUHOOZI VS RNC — NEW TWIST:
– Oct 27, 2026, 02:00 AM on X: Uganda Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba wrote: “I highly suspect that certain elements of Kayumba’s RNC were responsible. Are they retaliating for Kandiho’s arrest? We shall get to the truth.”
– RNC — Rwanda National Congress of exiled former Army Chief Kayumba Nyamwasa — denied, said Kabera was NOT a member, appealed to President Museveni for investigation and protection for exiles.
– Abel Kandiho, former head of Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, and Charles Bakahumura, former intelligence chief, were arrested Sept 9, 2026, weeks after retiring. Reports linked detention to false intelligence reports.
– No evidence provided by Muhoozi. Uganda Police has not named suspects.
6. PATTERN — FROM SENDASHONGA TO KABERA:
From Seth Sendashonga to Robert Kabera — 28-year pattern:
1. Seth Sendashonga — Nairobi, May 16, 1998: Former Interior Minister, shot dead with driver.
2. Patrick Karegeya — Johannesburg, Jan 1, 2014, Room 905, Michelangelo Towers: Former External Intelligence chief (1994-2004), RNC co-founder, strangled. South African Hawks inquest 2019 heard “direct involvement of Rwandan government” allegation. Kigali denied.
3. Revocant Karemangingo — Maputo, Aug 2021: Ex-RDF officer, businessman, shot.
4. Seif Bamporiki — Cape Town, Feb 2021: RNC coordinator, shot in Nyanga.
5. Robert Kabera — Mpigi, Oct 17, 2026: Beheaded, head missing.
Common threads: Insider knowledge, exile and opposition, murder abroad, no mastermind convicted.
WHY TAKE THE HEAD? FORENSIC EXPERT EXPLAINS:
East African Report spoke to Kampala forensic expert (anonymous): 3 reasons killers decapitate: 1) Conceal identity, 2) Ritual, 3) Intimidation. In Kabera case, body was identified by relatives, so intimidation theory prevails.
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS — DAY 18:
– Where is the head?
– Why delay Wandegeya forensic report from 72 hours to 18 days?
– Who last saw Kabera Oct 16, 11:30 PM when he left home to collect phone and food?
– Is Rift Valley testimony linked? Is Kakuma safe for Rwandan voices?
– Is Muhoozi RNC claim verified?
East African Report will continue — This is Part 5 of 7-part Kabera Files.
Published by East African Report — Founded in Sweden, operating across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia | www.eastafricanreport.com | Forensic verification, document check, open-source investigation.
