Rwandan singer and outspoken government critic Aimable Karasira died on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, just as he was being processed for release from prison
Rwandan singer and outspoken government critic Aimable Karasira died on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, just as he was being processed for release from prison in Kigali.
The Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) reported that the 48-year-old artist passed away at Nyarugenge Hospital after allegedly overdosing on prescription medication while being escorted out of the facility.
Authorities stated he had been suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, and mental health challenges.
Karasira, a former university lecturer and popular YouTuber, was well-known for his channel “Ukuri Mbona” (The Truth As I See It), where he frequently criticised the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and discussed sensitive historical narratives.
He was arrested in 2021 and sentenced in 2025 to five years for inciting division, though he was acquitted of more severe charges like genocide denial.
His death occurred on the final day of his sentence, sparking immediate scepticism from human rights groups and international observers.
The circumstances of Karasira’s death have drawn comparisons to the 2020 death of gospel singer Kizito Mihigo, who died in a police cell under disputed circumstances.
Organisations like Human Rights Watch have called for an urgent, independent investigation, noting Rwanda’s history of suspicious deaths among dissidents in state custody.
While the government maintains it was a self-inflicted medical emergency, critics argue the timing and lack of transparency point to a continued pattern of suppressing dissent.
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