Rwandan opposition leader Victoire Ingabire (@VictoireUmuhoza) spent nearly eight years behind bars after returning from exile to run for president. Though pardoned by President Paul Kagame in 2018, she was once again arrested in 2025 and detained on “conspiring to incite public disorder,” “undermining the authority of the government,” and other charges.
In a letter from prison, Victoire writes, “The days are lonely and can sometimes feel hopeless in prison, but there are occasional bright spots. Earlier this year, my son spoke about my imprisonment at the Oslo Freedom Forum and I heard that posters with my photo had been placed at bus stops throughout the city. It makes me proud to think of my children, standing up for freedom and justice … I hope they understand why I feel called to do this work, even though it keeps us apart.”
Victoire now faces a trial in which the prosecutor seeks a life sentence. HRF calls on the Rwandan regime to release Victoire and end its relentless persecution of opposition figures and government critics, both inside and outside the country. As Victoire writes, “I believe in a better future for Rwanda, but it cannot be built while independent voices are silenced.”
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