By Our Reporter
The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) has officially dismissed as fake a widely circulated document alleging that President Paul Kagame is critically ill and under intensive medical care. The falsified statement, which bears the RDF’s official insignia and a red “FAKE NEWS” stamp across it, has been making rounds on social media, sparking confusion and concern.
The document, dated June 23, 2025, falsely claims that President Kagame is suffering a “serious health crisis” and calls for national prayers, further suggesting that he remains under the care of a specialized medical team.
In a rebuttal carried by multiple local media houses, a senior military official confirmed that “no such communication has been released by the RDF.” The source added, “This is a deliberate act of disinformation and should be treated with the contempt it deserves. Investigations are underway to identify those behind this forgery.”
The incident comes amid growing public curiosity over President Kagame’s whereabouts. The Rwandan leader, who has ruled the country since 2000, has not been seen in public since June 6, when he attended a consultative meeting on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
His absence from several major events—including regional security summits and national commemorations—has fueled speculation, with some online users questioning the state of his health.
Despite the rumors, the Rwandan government has not issued any official statement regarding Kagame’s health. Government insiders insist that the country’s institutions remain fully operational and that “there is no cause for alarm.”
Analysts note that this forged statement is part of a broader trend of political disinformation campaigns targeting prominent African leaders. In recent years, similar fake documents have circulated online in efforts to discredit or destabilize governments across the continent.
President Kagame remains a towering figure in African politics and a key architect of Rwanda’s transformation from genocide-ravaged state to a regional model of economic growth and security. His leadership has been both lauded for stability and criticized for authoritarian tendencies.
The RDF has urged citizens to exercise caution and verify information through official channels before sharing it. “Spreading falsehoods undermines national unity and public trust. We call on Rwandans to be vigilant and patriotic in how they consume and circulate information,” the RDF said.
