Rwandan singer dies as he was being released from prison

Rwandan singer Aimable Karasira has died as he was being released from prison in Kigali,according to the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS). The RCS said he had died at Nyarugenge Hospital after he had allegedly overdosed on his prescription medication. RCS spokesperson Hillary Sengabo later said Karasira was suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure and poor mental health, and that a post-mortem would be carried out.

However, some government critics view his death as suspicious and have called for an independent investigation. The 48-year-old was well-known for his YouTube videos, in which he criticised the government and the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) party. He was arrested in 2021, and in 2025 was sentenced to five years for inciting division.

The high court last year acquitted him of the other charges put to him – inciting public disorder, justifying genocide and genocide denial. In an interview with Rwandan broadcaster TV One, the RCS spokesperson said Karasira was being escorted out of the prison at around 14:00 or 15:00 on Wednesday when he took another dose of his medication. According to the RCS spokesman, the prison officials proceeded to take the medication away from him, but it was too late.

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But some – who shared his criticism of the Rwandan government – believe his death to be suspicious. “After years of persecution and imprisonment, the authorities announce your death just as you were supposed to regain your freedom,” said Denise Zaneza, a Rwandan human rights activist based in Belgium.

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