Episode 34: The Re-arrest of Rwandan Opposition Leader Victoire Ingabire

Episode Notes 

Episode 34: The Re-arrest of Rwandan Opposition Leader Victoire Ingabire 

On June 17, 2025, Victoire Ingabire was at her home in Kigali, Rwanda, when she received an unusual phone call. She was being summoned by the High Court of Rwanda, and she was required to appear before the court two days later. Victoire was, of course, familiar with the case. It involved supporters of her political party, who were arrested and detained in the days leading up to a celebration of “Ingabire Day,” in honor of Victoire. But over the course of more than three years, Victoire herself had never been called to court for questioning. She answered the summons. She appeared in court. She hoped this would be the end of it. But it was not. 

This special episode explores the recent re-arrest of Victoire Ingabire, one of the most prominent dissident voices in Rwanda. It features interviews with her children and legal team, recounting her previous imprisonment by the Rwandan regime and the fear and uncertainty that accompanies this latest arrest.   

Rwanda arrests opposition leader Ingabire, her lawyer protests 

The Keeper Episode 19: The Real Story of Kagame’s Rwanda  

Victoire Ingabire: Opinion pieces in The Guardian 

Victoire Inbagire: Opinion pieces in Al Jazeera 

Victoire Ingabire with the Polis Project 

An Open-Air Prison – Victoire Ingabire on HRF’s Dissidents and Dictators podcast 

Producers: Brittany Smith, Chelsea Hedquist  

 Audio editor: Brittany Smith  

Music:  

A Distant Call · Dan "Lebo" Lebowitz, Tone Seeker 

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): 

https://uppbeat.io/t/aaron-paul-low/whispers-in-the-dark 

License code: WBBC6MJARZZFNOYE