TOM BYABAGAMBA YAKUNDAGA IMBUNDA🚨UNCUTI YE MAGARA ITANZE UBUHAMYE BW'URUGENDO RWE MUGISIRIKARE!

A close friend who knew Colonel Tom Byabagamba for approximately 40 years delivered a deeply personal testimony during an evening dedicated to celebrating his life and bidding him farewell. Drawing on four decades of friendship, the speaker described the Tom Byabagamba he knew beyond military ranks, court proceedings, and public controversy. He reflected on their shared journey, Byabagamba’s character, his relationships with those around him, and the different stages of a military career that placed him close to some of the most consequential moments in Rwanda’s recent history. Together, these testimonies presented two interconnected portraits: Colonel Tom Byabagamba, the experienced military officer known to the public, and Tom the husband, father, brother, and loyal friend remembered by those closest to him. Byabagamba was a veteran of the military struggle launched by the Rwanda Patriotic Front in 1990. He served in Paul Kagame’s personal protection detail and later rose to command the Presidential Guard, the specialized unit responsible for protecting the Head of State and strategic national installations. He subsequently served with a United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan before being arrested in Rwanda in August 2014. Byabagamba was prosecuted alongside retired Brigadier General Frank Rusagara and retired Sergeant François Kabayiza. In March 2016, Rwanda’s Military High Court convicted him of offences that included inciting insurrection, tarnishing the image of the government, concealing evidence, and contempt of the national flag. He was sentenced to 21 years in prison and stripped of his military rank and decorations. In December 2019, the Court of Appeal upheld his conviction but reduced the sentence to 15 years. Colonel Tom Byabagamba died while imprisoned on August 25, 2026, at the age of 59, after approximately 12 years in detention. His elder brother, David Himbara, announced his death on behalf of the family. At the time this report was prepared, the precise medical cause and complete circumstances surrounding his death had not been officially established. Rwanda Updates Media therefore does not speculate about what caused his death or assign responsibility without credible supporting evidence. This report brings together the testimony of Byabagamba’s longtime friend, the emotional messages delivered by his wife and sons, and the major stages of a life that moved from military service and high national responsibilities to imprisonment and death in custody. It is the story of a public figure remembered through court records and military history—but also of a man whose absence is now being felt most deeply by the family and friends who shared their lives with him. JOURNALISM DISCLAIMER Rwanda Updates Media is committed to factual, balanced, responsible, and public-interest journalism. We do not support or promote violence, terrorism, armed groups, hate speech, harassment, criminal activity, political propaganda, or hostility toward any person, institution, or community. Colonel Tom Byabagamba’s family confirmed that he died while in prison. Rwanda Updates Media does not claim that he was killed, poisoned, deliberately denied medical treatment, or subjected to any other specific act unless such a conclusion is supported by credible medical evidence or an official and transparent investigation. Footage and personal testimonies from the ceremony are presented respectfully to document an event of legitimate public interest. They are not intended to exploit the grief of Byabagamba’s wife, children, relatives, or friends. The narration, research, editorial structure, contextual analysis, and presentation constitute an original Rwanda Updates Media production. Any third-party audiovisual material is used only where necessary for news reporting, commentary, criticism, documentation, and public-interest analysis. May Colonel Tom Byabagamba rest in peace, and may his family, relatives, friends, and former colleagues find strength during this difficult period. 👍 Like this video 🔔 Subscribe to Rwanda Updates 💬 Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments 📤 Share this report with others #TomByabagamba #RwandaUpdates #RwandaNews #Kigali #RDF #MaryBaine #BrianByabagamba #DavidHimbara #FrankRusagara #AfricanNews Tom Byabagamba, Col Tom Byabagamba, Colonel Tom Byabagamba, inshuti ya Tom Byabagamba, inshuti magara ya Tom Byabagamba, bamaranye imyaka 40, ubuhamya kuri Tom Byabagamba, urugendo rwa Tom Byabagamba mu gisirikare, amateka ya Tom Byabagamba, umuhango wo gusezera Tom Byabagamba, umugoroba wo kwizihiza ubuzima bwa Tom Byabagamba, Mary Baine, umugore wa Tom Byabagamba, Brian Byabagamba, abahungu ba Tom Byabagamba, umuryango wa Tom Byabagamba, urupfu rwa Tom Byabagamba, Tom Byabagamba yapfiriye muri gereza, David Himbara, Frank Rusagara, RDF, Ingabo z’u Rwanda, amakuru y’u Rwanda, amakuru agezweho, Rwanda Updates