UK Demands Release of Rwandan General in Letter to Kagame

The House of Lords of the United Kingdom has petitioned Rwanda President Paul Kagame over the release of two former military officers –Col Tom Byabagamba and Gen Frank Rusagara.

The duo was arrested in August 2014 and charged with “spreading rumours and “tarnishing the image of the country and government.”

Col Byabagamba was also charged with “concealing evidence” and “undermining the national flag” of Rwanda.

The prosecution claimed that Rusagara had made favorable comments about the Rwanda National Congress (RNC), an opposition group in exile, had criticized President Paul Kagame, and had complained about the lack of freedom of expression and economic progress in Rwanda, allegedly calling Rwanda a “police state” and a “banana republic.”

However, the UK House of Lords argues in its November 4, 2019 letter addressed to President Paul Kagame the charges are trumped up and baseless

“The charges appear related to private criticisms Mr. Byabagamba and Mr. Rusagara made of the government. Despite Mr Rusagara being a civilian, the two men were tried jointly in the Kanombe Military High Court,” the letter from the UK  House of Lords further reads in part.

The House of Lords, also known as the House of Peers and domestically usually referred to simply as the Lords, is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

The two were on March 31, 2016, convicted on all charges, Byabagamba was sentenced to 21 years in jail while his co-accused Rusagara was handed 20 years in prison.

The UK House of Lords is concerned that despite appealing the sentences, the former military officers’ appeals were shelved.

“Both men appealed their sentences, however, that process did not begin until earlier this year and is still ongoing.”

The House of Lords also notes that the two have serious health issues and should, therefore, be released.

“Humanitarian factors call for Mr Byabagamba and Mr Rusagara’s release. Both men have already been imprisoned for five years and are reportedly in poor health. Mr Rusagara suffers from an enlarged prostate and arthritis and Mr Byabagamba has two artificial discs, after having major surgery on his back,” the letter signed by British MP Baroness D’Souza CMG states, adding that the poor conditions they are detained in have “exacerbated their health issues.”

The Kigali government has continuously been accused of harassing its critics, some of whom have been killed or kidnapped from countries that have offered them refuge.

In September Syridio Dusabumuremyi, who served as national coordinator for Rwanda’s most vocal opposition alliance, the United Democratic Forces, was found dead in his shop.

Colleagues said he had been stabbed several times and his throat cut.

This was the latest in a series of killings and disappearances involving critics of Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame.

Additional reporting by the Kampala Post