Karasira Aimable Dies hours before Prison Release

The Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) has announced the death of Uzaramba Karasira Aimable, a former lecturer at the University of Rwanda, who passed away on Wednesday, May 7, while receiving treatment at Nyarugenge Hospital.

According to a statement issued by RCS, Karasira was transferred to hospital after allegedly taking medication beyond the dosage prescribed for a pre-existing medical condition. The institution said it is still awaiting a medical report to determine the exact cause of death.

Karasira’s death occurred just hours before he was expected to regain his freedom after completing a five-year prison sentence.

Speaking to local media, RCS spokesperson Sengabo Hillary said Karasira had undergone all release procedures on Wednesday before the incident occurred. He explained that the deceased had reportedly consumed an excessive quantity of medication he had been taking for a mental health condition.

“He normally took the medicine to help him sleep for about six hours, but this time he took a large quantity in what appeared to be a suicide attempt,” Sengabo said. “He was rushed to Nyarugenge Hospital, but doctors were unable to save him.”

RCS indicated that Karasira died during the night at around midnight.

In September 2025, the High Court Chamber for International and Cross-Border Crimes sitting in Nyanza convicted Karasira of inciting divisions among the public and sentenced him to five years in prison.

He had faced several charges, including genocide denial, genocide minimization, spreading divisive ideology, and disseminating false information through his YouTube channel. Prosecutors also accused him of money laundering and failing to explain the source of assets found in cash, bank accounts, and mobile money accounts.

The prosecution had requested a 30-year prison sentence, but the court ultimately handed him a five-year term.