Former Rwanda Presidential Guard Chief Dies in Jail 12 Years After Arrest
Tom Byabagamba, once President Paul Kagame’s personal bodyguard, was serving a 15-year sentence after a controversial military trial
- Former presidential guard chief dies at 59
- Byabagamba was arrested and jailed in 2014
- Rights groups raised concerns over his trial
Former head of Rwanda’s presidential guard, Colonel Tom Byabagamba, has died in prison at the age of 59, 12 years after his arrest.
Byabagamba, who once served as President Paul Kagame’s personal bodyguard, was arrested in 2014 alongside his brother-in-law, retired Brigadier-General Frank Rusagara.
The two men were accused of “spreading rumours” and “tarnishing the image of the country and government”. Byabagamba denied the allegations throughout his trial, maintaining that the charges were fabricated.
His family has not been told the cause of death. His brother, David Himbara, told the BBC Great Lakes service that the family had been unable to see him during his years in detention.
In 2016, a military court convicted Byabagamba and sentenced him to 21 years in prison. His sentence was later reduced to 15 years following an appeal.
Rusagara, who previously served as secretary-general of Rwanda’s Defence Ministry, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and died in custody in March 2025.
Human rights organisations have raised concerns over the cases of both men, citing allegations of government repression, torture and witness tampering.
Human Rights Watch described their trial as flawed and criticised the circumstances surrounding their detention, while campaign group Freedom Now had described their imprisonment as arbitrary and contrary to international law.
Rights groups have also repeatedly accused President Kagame’s government of restricting political opposition and silencing critics both within Rwanda and abroad.
Byabagamba is survived by his wife and two sons.
