The Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) has confirmed the death of Uzaramba Karasira Aimable, widely known as “Professor Nigga”, on the day he was expected to be released after completing a five-year prison sentence.
Karasira died on Wednesday at Nyarugenge Hospital after being transferred from Nyarugenge Prison in Mageragere, where he had been serving his sentence.
In a statement, RCS said he was rushed to hospital after reportedly taking medication beyond the prescribed dosage for an existing medical condition.
The correctional service added that it is awaiting a medical report to establish the exact cause of death.
Karasira had been due for release after completing a sentence issued by the High Court Chamber for International and Cross-Border Crimes sitting in Nyanza.
In 2025, the court convicted him of inciting divisions among the public and sentenced him to five years in prison.
He had been arrested in May 2021 and faced several charges linked to content published on his YouTube channel, including genocide denial, genocide minimisation, spreading divisive messages, and dissemination of false information.
Karasira was also accused of money laundering and failure to justify the source of funds found in his possession and bank accounts.
During the trial, he argued that the funds originated from employment benefits received from the University of Rwanda, where he previously worked as a lecturer, as well as support from well-wishers.
Although prosecutors had sought a 30-year sentence, the court handed him a five-year prison term and ordered the release of his seized assets.
Before his arrest, Karasira was known as a computer science lecturer and technology enthusiast. He later ventured into music, performing Hip Hop under the stage name “Professor Nigga.”
