The United Democratic Forces (FDU-Inkingi), an unregistered opposition party in Rwanda, remains under significant pressure, as its members and activists experience ongoing challenges, including disappearances and alleged politically motivated attacks. The party, known for its critical stance against the Rwandan government, first came to widespread attention when its leader, Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, was imprisoned and faced trial. Her legal ordeal, widely criticised by international human rights organisations, was regarded as politically motivated, with many arguing that her prosecution was designed to suppress dissent.

The party’s troubles continued with the disappearance of Illuminée Iragena, a nurse and prominent member of FDU-Inkingi, on 26 March 2016. Illuminée was last seen leaving her home in Murama, Gasabo district, on the outskirts of Kigali, on her way to work at King Faisal Hospital. She never arrived at her workplace and has not been seen since. Her family reported her disappearance to the police, yet they received no official response, raising suspicions of foul play. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have repeatedly called on the Rwandan government to investigate her case thoroughly and to account for her whereabouts. Despite international pressure, Illuminée’s fate remains unknown.

Sadly, Iragena’s disappearance is not an isolated incident. In May 2017, FDU-Inkingi member Havarugira Damascene was found dead under suspicious circumstances. The following year, in October 2018, the party’s vice president, Boniface Twagirimana, was reported missing from prison, where he was serving a sentence on charges many believe were fabricated. The incidents intensified concerns over the safety of opposition figures, especially those affiliated with FDU-Inkingi. In March 2019, yet another devastating event occurred: Victoire Ingabire’s assistant, Mr. Twagirimana, was also found dead.

The cycle of disappearances and deaths continued recently on 15 July 2019, when two other well-known activists, Jean Claude Kayibanda and Eugene Ndereyimana, went missing. Their families and friends have since been searching for them, but their efforts have yielded no leads. Given the tragic fates of their colleagues, many fear the worst for the two activists. The international community has urged Rwanda to ensure the safety of its citizens, particularly those engaged in opposition activities.

The repeated disappearances, deaths, and imprisonments among FDU-Inkingi’s ranks underscore the dangerous climate for political opposition in Rwanda. As these cases accumulate, human rights organisations and concerned parties around the world continue to watch with alarm, calling for accountability and the protection of fundamental freedoms for all Rwandans.

We will follow these cases closely and will keep our readers informed of any developments.