Prosecution alleges Ingabire Victoire plotted to disrupt CHOGM, mobilize protests

By The Inspirer.

Rwandan opposition figure Ingabire Victoire Umuhoza is facing fresh allegations of plotting to disrupt the 2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and mobilizing public protests to undermine national security, the Prosecution told the court during her bail hearing this week.

According to prosecutors, Ingabire and her supporters planned to stage demonstrations during CHOGM to portray Rwanda as unsafe and unstable. Authorities further allege that during the COVID-19 pandemic, she encouraged crowds to gather under the pretext of food aid, only to use them for protests.

The Prosecution claims Ingabire’s former party, FDU-Inkingi, worked with armed groups including RUD Urunana, P5 and the Rwanda National Congress (RNC) — organizations Kigali has designated as terrorist — with the aim of destabilizing the government.

Investigators say that once her plans became known, Ingabire rebranded her movement under a new name, DALFA Umurinzi, to keep her followers organized.

Prosecutors also allege that Ingabire arranged secret training for key aides in protest tactics and non-violent strategies to push for regime change, after plans for an armed struggle failed to gain traction.

As evidence, the Prosecution cited phone records, testimony from alleged former insiders, and a broadcast on an online channel linked to Ingabire’s network that authorities say spread false claims of extrajudicial killings.

Ingabire Victoire Umuhoza, who has previously served prison time for charges related to threatening state security, denies any wrongdoing and maintains she is being targeted for her political views.

The case continues as her legal team seeks bail pending trial.