CPJ urges probe into Rwanda YouTuber death in custody

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 8 May 2026 |  JP Global Monitoring

The Committee to Protect Journalists urged an independent inquiry after Rwandan YouTuber Aimable Karasira Uzaramba died on the day he was due to be released from a five-year sentence. Authorities say he overdosed on prescribed medication and a post-mortem is pending.

Summary

KIGALI — The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called for an independent investigation into the death of Rwandan YouTube commentator Aimable Karasira Uzaramba, who died on the day he was due to be released after completing a five-year prison sentence.

The Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) said the 48-year-old died at Nyarugenge Hospital in Kigali after allegedly overdosing on prescribed medication. Officials said he had completed pre-release procedures when he ingested the medication and was later pronounced dead around midnight.

CPJ calls for an independent inquiry

CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Muthoki Mumo described the death in state custody as “devastating” and said authorities must clarify how and why Karasira died, citing past allegations of mistreatment and concerns about his detention conditions.

RCS and media accounts said Karasira had been taken to the hospital after the incident during final release procedures, but a post-mortem report was still pending at the time of the statement.

Arrest, charges, and trial background

Karasira was arrested in May 2021 and later sentenced in September 2025 to five years in prison on charges of inciting divisions. He was originally accused of genocide denial, justification, causing unrest, and inciting divisions related to his online commentary.

The court acquitted him of all but one charge. His legal team had raised concerns about his mental health and fitness to stand trial, while multiple medical assessments produced differing conclusions.

YouTube commentary and broader scrutiny

Karasira, a former university lecturer, ran a YouTube channel called Ukuri Mbona (The Truth as I See It), where he criticized government narratives related to the 1994 genocide. He had also alleged mistreatment in custody, including assault and denial of sleep and medical care.

Human rights groups and CPJ have previously raised concerns about conditions for journalists and online commentators in Rwanda, where several media workers are currently imprisoned.

Wider concerns over press freedom in Rwanda

Karasira was among several journalists and YouTubers in detention in Rwanda, a country CPJ has ranked among the region’s leading jailers of media workers. Previous deaths in custody, including that of gospel musician Kizito Mihigo in 2020, have also drawn scrutiny and controversy.

Authorities did not respond to CPJ requests for comment made earlier this week.

ATTRIBUTION: Reporting by JournalismPakistan, based on publicly available statements from the Committee to Protect Journalists (May 2026), Rwanda Correctional Service statements, and prior reporting by The New Times (May 2026) and TV One (May 2026).

PHOTO: Screenshot from Ukuri Mbona/YouTube/Circulated by CPJ