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KAMPALA, Uganda — For many Rwandans fleeing persecution, Uganda has long represented a place of refuge. Attracted by the country’s relatively open refugee policy, established Rwandan communities and its proximity to home, thousands have crossed the border over the years seeking safety and a chance to rebuild their lives.
For some, however — particularly journalists, opposition figures and outspoken government critics — crossing into Uganda has not brought the security they hoped for. Several exiled Rwandan journalists say the intimidation, threats and attacks they left behind have continued after their arrival, raising difficult questions about the safety of those living in exile.
Who is Bihibindi Nuhu and what happened to him in Uganda?
One of the more recent cases involves journalist Bihibindi Nuhu. In January 2023, Bihibindi was among the last journalists to meet independent reporter John Williams Ntwali before Ntwali died in what authorities described as a traffic accident. Bihibindi later publicly stated that Ntwali had expressed fears for his safety in the period leading up to his death.
Weeks later, Bihibindi himself disappeared after travelling to what was described as a seminar. His family lost contact with him, prompting concern among colleagues and human rights organisations. Several months later, he resurfaced in Kampala.
In a brief interview, Bihibindi, who appeared exhausted and unsettled, described living under constant fear. “Even leaving my room to buy something to eat became a frightening experience,” he said. He reported receiving regular threatening messages and emails, and said he spent months in the city dealing with intimidation and sleepless nights. Friends say his demeanour improved only after he relocated to a third country, where he has begun rebuilding his life.
What is the timeline of incidents involving Rwandan journalists in Uganda?
The experiences of individual journalists form part of a longer pattern cited by those living in exile:
- 2007 – Charles Ingabire flees Rwanda for Uganda.
- 2011 – Unidentified attackers assault Ingabire and warn him to stop publishing.
- 30 November 2011 – Ingabire is shot dead in Kampala.
- December 2011 – Opposition member Jerome Ndagijimana is found murdered in Kampala.
- 2017 – Former Rwanda Television journalist Nduwumwe Faruk flees to Uganda.
- 2023 – Bihibindi Nuhu disappears before resurfacing in Kampala.
- 2024–2026 – Additional Rwandan journalists seek refuge outside Rwanda.
Who was Charles Ingabire and why does his murder still matter?
The case of Charles Ingabire remains one of the most cited examples among Rwandan journalists in exile. After fleeing to Uganda in 2007, Ingabire lived with persistent threats linked to his critical reporting. Friends say he received repeated warnings to stop writing about the Rwandan government.
In September 2011, unidentified attackers beat him, stole his computer and ordered him to shut down Inyenyeri News, an online publication critical of the Rwandan authorities. He continued publishing. On 30 November 2011, he was shot twice in the chest while at a bar in Kampala’s Bukesa suburb. Police recovered five spent cartridges at the scene. More than a decade later, no one has been convicted of the murder.
Less than four weeks after Ingabire’s death, Jerome Ndagijimana, an opposition member who had recently been granted refugee status in Uganda, was found dead in Kampala with his throat slit. Ugandan authorities announced investigations into both killings. To date, no one has been charged. For many Rwandan refugees, the two cases remain painful reminders that exile does not always guarantee safety.
What does Nduwumwe Faruk say about life after fleeing to Uganda?
Former Rwanda Television journalist Nduwumwe Faruk says he fled Rwanda in 2017 after receiving repeated intimidation and death threats linked to his criticism of sports administration and alleged military influence in football. Even after seeking asylum in Uganda, he says the threats continued. He later reported being assaulted in Sseeta, on the outskirts of Kampala, which led him to relocate to a third country.
How many Rwandan journalists have left the country in recent years?
Press freedom advocates note that the number of Rwandan journalists leaving the country has increased in recent years. Among those who have spoken publicly is Agnes Nkusi, formerly associated with Umurabyo TV, who has said she left Rwanda because she feared arrest and persecution related to her work. She has continued reporting from exile.
Other journalists who have reportedly left include Irasubiza Jules of Jalas TV and Théogène Manirakiza of Ukwezi. Some of those living in Uganda say they continue to receive threats, though not all of these accounts could be independently verified for this report.
What do Ugandan and Rwandan authorities say about these claims?
Ugandan officials reject claims that Rwandan refugees face general insecurity on Ugandan territory. Officials from the Office of the Prime Minister’s Directorate of Refugees state that Uganda remains committed to protecting refugees regardless of nationality.
The Rwandan government has consistently denied allegations that it targets journalists, political opponents or refugees living abroad, describing such claims as unfounded.
Can exile truly provide protection for Rwandan journalists?
For many Rwandan journalists who came to Uganda seeking safety, the country was meant to mark the end of fear. Instead, several say it became another chapter in a life lived under threat. As more journalists continue to leave Rwanda, one question continues to surface among those living in exile: can exile truly provide protection when those who flee believe the dangers have followed them across the border?
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