For several days now, social media has been awash with speculation that Rwandan President Paul Kagame is seriously ill—or even dead. The rumours intensified after nearly three weeks without any public appearance by the Head of State. His last known activity was on 6 June, when he met a delegation from Kigali’s Hope Haven Christian School, led by its director, Susan Hollern.
In response, the Rwandan government has broken its silence. Speaking to Taarifa, a news outlet close to the authorities, government spokesperson Yolande Makolo firmly denied the claims. “The President is well and simply taking a routine break. There is absolutely nothing to worry about,” she said. She described the circulating information as “hateful fake news” and urged Rwandans not to be swayed by it.
Makolo insisted that it is not unusual for the President to step out of the public eye, especially after a period of intense national and international activity. “He is human, like anyone else. He is resting. There is nothing abnormal or alarming,” she added.
The Rwandan military also weighed in, denouncing as “fake news” a forged statement circulating online that claimed President Kagame was in critical condition. The authors of the statement remain unknown, and no credible source has confirmed any such information.
Still, the official response has not been enough to silence all concerns. Some political observers argue that Makolo’s reassurances will remain insufficient unless President Kagame himself appears in public to dispel the rumours. Notably, some of the speculation has been amplified by former insiders, including David Himbara—once Kagame’s chief economic adviser, now living in exile—who claims the President is hospitalised in Germany.
The BBC reportedly attempted to reach the President’s office for comment, without success. In the meantime, debate continues to spread, with some of Kagame’s staunchest supporters sharing increasingly aggressive and inflammatory language online. Human rights observers have raised concerns over the hate speech and incitement to violence being circulated, especially by individuals closely aligned with the ruling party.
The Rwandan authorities view the rumours as part of a familiar pattern of politically motivated disinformation. But for many observers, the real test of credibility now lies in a public appearance from Paul Kagame himself.
Therwandan
