BADRAMA: “They Say I Must Be Killed Because I Crossed a Red Line”

According to Ramadhan Mupende, widely known as BADRAMA, his human rights advocacy has made him a target. Speaking in a podcast published on July 5 on his YouTube channel, BADRAMA TV, he said he has received multiple death threats and now lives in constant fear of being killed.

Although Rwanda is officially governed as a republic, some critics argue that President Paul Kagame has established a political system that resembles a monarchy. According to this view, the authority of the head of state increasingly outweighs that of public institutions, while what they describe as preparations for a possible family succession are seen by some observers as reflecting a hereditary transfer of power.

Within this context, BADRAMA argues that individuals who express opinions contrary to those of the Rwandan government or the FPR Inkotanyi risk becoming targets of intimidation and persecution.

During the podcast, Ramadhan Mupende said that his campaign for the protection of human rights has placed his life in serious danger. According to him, those he accuses of denying Rwandans their fundamental rights are now seeking to silence him in order to prevent his message from reaching a wider audience.

 "I am living under extremely difficult circumstances because those who have deprived the people of their rights want to kill me. My only offense is educating many Rwandans about how to work toward lasting peace in our country. That is why I continue to face intimidation," he said.

BADRAMA Alleges Multiple Assassination Attempts

During the podcast, BADRAMA claimed that he has survived several alleged assassinations attempts since February 2026. According to his account, some individuals allegedly tried to run him over with a vehicle, while others are said to have attempted to poison him.

He also referred to a Rwandan national living in the United States who, according to him, allegedly stated that he wanted to become a "hero of Rwanda" by shooting him before taking his own life.

Concerns Over Political Indoctrination

Beyond his personal security concerns, BADRAMA argued that Rwanda is facing what he describes as a growing problem of political indoctrination, particularly among individuals identified as members of the FPR Inkotanyi's "Intore" program.

According to him, this ideological training encourages the belief that only supporters of the ruling party genuinely love Rwanda, while those who hold opposing political views are portrayed as enemies of the nation.

He contends that such a mindset promotes political intolerance and could pose long-term risks to the country's social cohesion.

A Climate of Fear

BADRAMA further alleged that, within this environment, some individuals have come to believe that anyone perceived as opposing President Paul Kagame deserves to be eliminated.

In his view, equating one political leader with the nation itself and portraying dissent as treason creates conditions that may encourage political extremism and suppress freedom of expression.

An Alleged Plot in July 2026

BADRAMA also claimed that another attempt on his life was planned for July 2, 2026. According to his account, he received a telephone call from a U.S. phone number during which the caller urged him to exercise extreme caution, warning that he could be killed at any moment.

He said that later the same day he noticed individuals whom he believed intended to harm him. He stated that he managed to leave the area, took refuge in an undisclosed location, and suspended the publication of new content on his YouTube channel for two days as a security precaution.

Claims Attributed to Intelligence Sources

BADRAMA further alleged that individuals he described as working within Rwanda's intelligence services informed him that President Paul Kagame had reportedly stated that, because BADRAMA was a former FPR Inkotanyi soldier who had begun making public accusations, he had crossed a "red line."

According to BADRAMA, those sources claimed this was the reason he had become the target of alleged threats against his life.

Allegations Based on Personal Testimony and Confidential Sources

During the podcast, BADRAMA said that many of his allegations are based on what he describes as firsthand experiences during his time as a soldier, as well as testimonies, confidential documents, and conversations with individuals he considers to be well-informed sources.

According to him, this information led him to conclude that President Paul Kagame and the FPR Inkotanyi played a significant role in the planning and execution of the 1994 Genocide.

BADRAMA said his conclusions are also informed by testimonies from several former senior members of the FPR Inkotanyi, together with a number of public statements made by political figures over the years.

Reference to Statements Attributed to Tito Rutaremara

Among the examples he cited was a statement attributed to Tito Rutaremara, who, according to BADRAMA, publicly said that every local administrative cell in Rwanda had at least five individuals referred to as "technicians."

BADRAMA argues that these individuals allegedly infiltrated the Interahamwe militia and participated in the killings of Tutsi civilians in order to create the impression that the then-MRND government bore sole responsibility for the massacres.

An Account Involving a Friend in the United States

BADRAMA also recounted an incident involving a friend living in the United States. According to his account, the individual allegedly withdrew from a meeting after discovering that participants were discussing a plan to harm him.

BADRAMA said his friend later advised him to end all communication for security reasons and warned him to remain vigilant, believing that his life could be at risk.

"I Will Continue Defending Human Rights"

Speaking during the preparation of this report, BADRAMA reiterated that he intends to continue his human rights advocacy despite what he describes as persistent threats against his life.

 "No one will live on this earth forever. As long as I am still breathing, I will continue to use my voice to defend human rights, especially the rights of Rwandans. Nothing else frightens me," he said.

He added that, in his view, remaining silent in the face of what he considers injustice would amount to abandoning those whose rights are being violated.

According to BADRAMA, the greatest form of cowardice is to watch innocent people suffer oppression without taking action, only to seek justice when the same injustice eventually affects oneself.

"They Want to Silence Me Before Our Work Bears Fruit"

Returning to the threats he says he has received, BADRAMA stated that he has been warned by numerous individuals, including, according to him, some people who were allegedly approached to take part in a plan to harm him.

He said these accounts have strengthened his belief that there are coordinated efforts aimed at permanently silencing him.

 "What saddens me is that they want to kill me as quickly as possible, yet I feel I have not done enough to help Rwandans find their path to freedom. If they fail to kill me as quickly as they intend, I believe our work will bear fruit, and those responsible for these crimes will one day be held accountable for their actions," he said.

A Vision for a Different Rwanda

BADRAMA said his long-term objective is to contribute to what he describes as dismantling the "kingdom of lies" allegedly built by President Paul Kagame and the FPR Inkotanyi. According to him, this political system continues to place many Rwandans at risk, both inside the country and within the diaspora. He argued that governments centered on a single individual often prove fragile over time.

Drawing on historical examples, BADRAMA said that political systems built around one leader frequently weaken or collapse once that leader leaves office, often leaving lasting consequences for their families and future generations.

He questioned why any political leader would choose to leave behind a legacy that could cause future generations of their own family to face hardship or be remembered negatively by history.

A Call for Dialogue and Respect for Human Rights

In concluding his remarks, BADRAMA called on Rwanda's leaders to embrace dialogue rather than confrontation. According to him, political differences should not be addressed through intimidation, violence, or the silencing of dissenting voices. Instead, he argued that Rwanda's challenges should be addressed through open discussion, respect for fundamental rights, and the pursuit of lasting solutions.

BADRAMA said he believes that sustainable peace can only be achieved through respect for human rights, recognition of diverse political opinions, and the establishment of an impartial justice system capable of promoting genuine national reconciliation.

In his view, only a society in which citizens are free to express their opinions without fear of retaliation can provide a peaceful, stable, and inclusive future for both present and future generations of Rwandans.