Moses Turahirwa is not a criminal — he is Rwanda’s pride. A world-renowned fashion designer, founder of Moshions, and a voice of a generation. On April 12, 2025, he spoke openly on Instagram about his childhood trauma, depression, and how growing up under a repressive regime shaped his truth.

Hours later, police raided his home. He was dragged from his life and thrown into Rwanda’s justice system — accused not for what he did, but for what he said.

 
🗣️ What Moses Actually Said
On his verified Instagram story, Moses wrote:

“I grew up hating Kagame and all the Inkotanyi, bro! My dad was jailed for years for nothing. I was dragged in court at 19. I am a testimony of how rotten this system is.”
This post was not a threat — it was a cry of pain, rooted in lived experience. It was also the final straw for a regime that fears outspoken youth. Less than 24 hours later, he was arrested on allegations of drug use.

 
This Is Not About Drugs
At his court appearance on May 6, 2025, Moses admitted to using a small amount of cannabis to cope with depression. He was transparent and remorseful — but he vehemently denied any trafficking or criminal intent (KT Press).

The timing is clear. The charges are thin. This is not about cannabis — it’s about control.

 
A Pattern of Silence
This is not an isolated case. Rwanda has a growing record of silencing its youth through disappearances, imprisonment, or worse:

Innocent Bahati, poet and teacher – missing since 2021
Illuminée Iragena, nurse – abducted in 2016
Boniface Twagirimana, opposition leader – vanished from prison in 2018
Eugène Ndereyimana, political activist – disappeared in 2019
Constantin Tuyishimire, journalist – vanished in 2019

We’ve also lost:

Kizito Mihigo, found dead in police custody
Jay Polly, died while detained
Alexia Mupende, murdered under mysterious circumstances

How many more names must be added?

 
We Demand:
Immediate and unconditional release of Moses Turahirwa
Independent investigation into the motivations behind his arrest
Emergency visit by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to evaluate his condition in custody
International oversight from Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the UN Human Rights Council
Accountability for all cases of enforced disappearances and youth repression in Rwanda
 
This Is Bigger Than Moses
Moses represents a generation: bold, creative, vulnerable, and unafraid to speak truth. Silencing him is not justice — it’s fear.

If he is punished for sharing his pain, what message does that send to every young person trying to heal?

 
Sources:
KT Press 2025
Fashion Network – Designer Arrested After Criticising Kagame
PEN International – Bahati Innocent Disappearance
HRW – Rwanda: Enforced Disappearances
The Guardian – Global Writers Demand Justice for Bahati
 
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