Police have not yet identified a suspect in the beheading of Rwandan former soldier Robert Kabera in Mpigi District, as investigations continue into the killing of the refugee who had previously reported threats to his life.
Kabera, 50, popularly known as Sergeant Robert, was found dead in a eucalyptus plantation in Luwala Village, Kamengo Sub-county, where he was constructing a house.
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said the body had been taken to Mulago City Mortuary for scientific identification as detectives pursued leads to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing.
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According to accounts from his family, Kabera arrived from Kampala at about 7pm on October 16, accompanied by his regular boda boda rider, identified only as Innocent, before proceeding to a bar in Luwala trading centre.
His brother, Victor Agaba, reportedly became concerned the following morning when Kabera could not be found. He searched the house and the bar, where an attendant said Kabera had last been seen the previous night.
At about 2pm on October 17, the village defence secretary alerted Agaba that a headless body had been discovered. Agaba reportedly identified it as his brother’s through a scar on the right thumb and shoes recovered near the scene.
Police officers who visited the scene found the body lying in a pool of blood.
Kabera was a former instructor and soloist with the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Army Jazz Band. His killing has sparked debate on social media about the safety of Rwandan refugees and asylum seekers living in Uganda.
However, Rusoke cautioned against portraying Uganda as unsafe for Rwandan refugees before investigators establish the motive and circumstances of Kabera’s death.
He said Uganda was among the world’s major refugee-hosting countries and urged the public to allow police to complete their investigations before drawing conclusions about responsibility for the killing.
Ugandan authorities have previously denied involvement in illegal renditions of Rwandan nationals, maintaining that deportations are conducted in accordance with legal procedures.
Security agencies have also said some individuals returned to Rwanda were wanted over alleged criminal activities.
Kabera’s death has renewed scrutiny of previous cases involving Rwandan refugees and asylum seekers who reportedly faced abduction or forcible return from Uganda.
Police investigations are ongoing, and the motive for the killing remains unclear.
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