This archive report was first published on 9 November 2019.
On November 9, 2019, Rwanda's Minister for Justice Johnston Busingye rejected a plea from six British parliamentarians to release two jailed soldiers, Col Tom Byabagamba and Rtd Brig Gen Frank Rusagara.
The British lawmakers, including Baroness D'Souza, Matthew Offord, Ivan Lewis, Lord Steel, Rosie Duffield, and Baroness Northover, had written a letter to the Kigali government expressing concerns over the health of the two soldiers and the severity of their sentences.
Col Byabagamba, the former head of President Paul Kagame's security, was sentenced to 21 years in prison in April 2016 for inciting rebellion, concealing evidence, and disrespecting the national flag. His co-accused, Rtd Brig Gen Rusagara, was handed a 20-year jail term for inciting insurrection against the government, spreading rumors with intent to taint the president's image, and illegal possession of firearms.
Mr. Busingye stated that the Rwandan government would not intervene in the legal process to enforce the release of the two soldiers, citing limited circumstances in which the government can intervene in a criminal case.
“Unless and until invited to do so in accordance with the relevant laws and procedures, it would be inappropriate for the Executive to comment on any pending case, seek to influence the outcome, or intervene as proposed in your letter,” Mr. Busingye said.
