The disappearance of Rwandan opposition activist Ben Rutabana continues to generate debate within opposition circles, with competing accounts emerging regarding the circumstances surrounding his final movements before he vanished in Uganda in September 2019.
Frank Ntwali has publicly rejected allegations reportedly made by Jean Paul linking him to Rutabana’s disappearance, arguing that the accusations are unsupported by evidence and divert attention from unanswered questions surrounding the case.
According to Ntwali, there are several reasons why he believes the allegations against him lack credibility.
First, he maintains that he was not in Kampala, Uganda, during the period in which Rutabana is believed to have disappeared. Ntwali argues that no evidence has been produced placing him in Kampala at the relevant time.
Second, Ntwali disputes any suggestion that he had a motive to harm Rutabana. He notes that both men served as commissioners within the same political organization and says there is no documented record of conflict or hostility between them. According to Ntwali, claims of bad blood between the two have been advanced by Jean Paul but have not been independently substantiated.
Ntwali further questions why Jean Paul continues to direct allegations at him while, according to Ntwali’s account, Jean Paul himself was closely connected to Rutabana’s travel arrangements and movements before the disappearance.
According to Ntwali, Jean Paul has publicly stated in various interviews, podcasts, and YouTube broadcasts that he was involved in coordinating aspects of Rutabana’s trip to Uganda. Ntwali says these public statements indicate that Jean Paul connected Rutabana to individuals in Kampala, maintained communication with him from the time he departed Europe until shortly before his disappearance, and possessed detailed knowledge of his itinerary and planned meetings.
Ntwali argues that these publicly acknowledged facts raise legitimate questions regarding what Jean Paul knew about Rutabana’s final movements and why he continues to focus allegations on others.
He also refers to statements reportedly made by Jean Paul in public broadcasts in which he said he was protected by “generals.” Ntwali argues that greater clarity is needed regarding the identity of those individuals and whether those relationships have any relevance to understanding the circumstances surrounding Rutabana’s disappearance.
Despite raising these questions, Ntwali says he is not accusing Jean Paul of involvement in Rutabana’s disappearance. Rather, he argues that the public discussion should focus on establishing verifiable facts rather than exchanging accusations through media platforms and social networks.
To that end, Ntwali has called for a joint independent private investigation involving members of Rutabana’s family and representatives of the Rwanda National Congress (RNC). He says such an initiative could help establish the truth surrounding the disappearance, provide answers to Rutabana’s relatives, and contribute to ensuring that justice is ultimately served.
According to Ntwali, the disappearance of an individual is a serious criminal matter that should be addressed through evidence-based inquiry rather than prolonged public debate. He believes an independent investigation could help bring greater clarity to a case that continues to generate controversy years after Rutabana was last seen.
The disappearance of Ben Rutabana remains unresolved, and questions surrounding the events leading up to it continue to attract public interest. While various allegations and counter-allegations have emerged over the years, no definitive public accounting of the circumstances surrounding his disappearance has yet been established.
BY;
Dr Jean Kanyarwanda
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