Rwanda’s Major John Sengati assassinated in Gitarama, Rwanda

Jack NzizaBy: Jennifer Fierberg

Rwandans are saddened by the death of Major John Sengati who was assassinated in Gitarama (appx 50km from Kigali) on May 10th, 2013.

John Sengati was a retired Major, and ADC to Gen. Kayumba Nyamwasa from 1993 to 2001. After Gen Kayumba went to UK to further his studies, Major John Sengati was appointed Commanding Officer (C.O.) of Garrison Force that was in charge of the security to VIPs under the Ministry of Defense.

Around 2007, he went to study at Kigali Institute of Technology (KIST) while he was still an active member of the RDF.

According to local reports, in 2009 Major Sengati’s land was redistributed in Karama to local residents.

Around 2010 he was forced to retire from the army, because he was considered to be loyal and close to Gen. Kayumba Nyamwasa.

Major Sengati was chosen to Darfur and join the Rwandan peace keeping mission there but was pulled from the mission at the last minute by the government of Rwanda for unknown reasons.

In 2011, after Gen. Kayumba had fled the country, Major John Sengati was summoned by Col. Dan Munyuza on several occasions, and was asked about his past association with Gen. Kayumba Nyamwasa.

In 2012, the military Intelligence wrongfully prosecuted Major Sengati and was held without bail for over 5 months. He was later released, but remained under constant surveillance.

Jean Paul Turayishimye, Spokesperson for the Rwanda National Congress, confirmed to this reporter that Major Sengati  was assassinated on May 10, 2013 by President Kagame’s new killing machine Franco Rutagengwa, the current Chief of Military Intelligence, who works directly under Jack Nziza’s orders.

Major Sengati is reported to have met with DMI agents in Gitarama where he is believed to own a Coltan mine. According to sources held, after the meeting with these agents he gave a ride home to one of them. His car was later found with his dead body inside. He was found with multiple gunshot wounds about the body and head. His car had been staged to appear that he was changing his tire. His body remains in the car at the time of this publication. His wife has confirmed this information and stated she was notified by the police of her husband’s death via phone.

Major Sengati was in his early forties and is survived by his wife and children.

We will continue to update you on the progress of our investigation.

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