By Our Writer
Brig Gen Frank Rusagara 70, a former senior officer in the Rwandan military, passed away on Wednesday morning while serving a 20-year prison sentence.
Rusagara was arrested on August 18, 2014, alongside his brother-in-law, Col. Tom Byabagamba, the former head of the Presidential Guard.
Rusagara’s death worried some of Dr Besigye’s people and asked the relevant authorities to release him so he tussles his cases on bail.
” When you hear your sick neighbor dying and you are also sick you have to fight for your health” said John Kawuzi one of the staunch Dr Besigye’s supporters.
His fear represents similar fears from.othet opposition politicians, family . members and Besigye’s friends.
Dr Besigye 68, who was highjacked from Nairobi, Kenya and charged of security related cases in the defunct court martial is being detained in Luzira maximum prison.
He was charged with treason and mis prison of treason together with his friend Hajj Obeid Lutale.
He has since then petitioned the High court to grant him bail giving his long detention, poor health and mistreatment as the main reasons.
Justice Comfort Rosette Kania is set to give the ruling on April 11,2025.
Meanwhile late Rusagara and his in law were in 2016 convicted of inciting rebellion and tarnishing the government’s image—charges widely seen as politically motivated.
Byabagamba was subsequently stripped of his military ranks.
Rusagara and Byabagamba had long alleged mistreatment in prison, including solitary confinement and constant surveillance.
Born in Rwanda, Rusagara was exiled to Uganda at the age of six, where he later joined the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) struggle.
He held several influential positions in Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence, shaping military policy before falling out with the regime.
Following his death, human rights groups are calling on the Rwandan government to release his body to his family for burial and to reconsider the continued imprisonment of Byabagamba, who still has seven years left to serve.
The Rwandan government has not released a statement on the death of Rusagara.
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