Nyamasheke Prison: Shots Fired to Quell Minor Rebellion

Kigali, October 27, 2025 - Shots were fired in the air at Nyamasheke Prison on October 26, 2025, after a small group of inmates attempted to rebel against prison rules, the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) confirmed.

RCS spokesperson, Commissioner Superintendent Hillary Sengabo, told IGIHE that the incident involved around six prisoners who resisted standard search operations. “All prisons in the world have gangs. Sometimes a few inmates may refuse to be searched or misbehave. It is generally bad behavior,” he explained.

Sengabo added that disciplinary measures are being enforced to ensure respect for the institution’s regulations. He confirmed that order has since been restored and that no injuries were reported.

Nyamasheke Prison currently houses 885 men, including inmates serving various sentences and a small number serving life imprisonment. The RCS emphasized that such incidents are common during searches and are handled to maintain safety and order.