Col. Ruterera Dies in Ndolo Prison? Family Confirms Death, Calls for Independent Investigation
MINEMBWE CAPITAL NEWS (MCN)
Reports from Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), indicate that Colonel Ruterera passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2026, after spending more than two years in detention at Ndolo Military Prison.
News of his death gained widespread attention after a member of his family spoke to Minembwe Capital News and confirmed the reports.
“Yesterday, we were informed that he was critically ill at Ndolo Prison. Today, we received another call informing us that he had passed away. It is heartbreaking news for our family.”
According to information gathered by Minembwe Capital News, Colonel Ruterera was arrested in 2023 in Uvira, where he was serving as an officer in the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC).
His family says that since his arrest, they have never received clear explanations regarding the charges against him or the actual reasons for his detention.
People close to him say his health steadily deteriorated while in prison, adding that his illness became increasingly severe. His family maintains that he did not receive adequate medical care during his detention and is calling for an independent investigation to establish the exact circumstances surrounding his death and the conditions under which he was held until his final days.
Colonel Ruterera was a veteran military officer with a long history in the conflicts that have shaped the Great Lakes region.
According to former colleagues and those who knew him, he joined the forces that ended the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. In 1996, he became a member of the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo (AFDL), led by Laurent-Désiré Kabila, which played a key role in overthrowing the government of Mobutu Sese Seko.
He later participated in subsequent conflicts, including those involving the Rally for Congolese Democracy (RCD), before serving under the administration of President Joseph Kabila. He also served with the Gumino movement under the leadership of Colonel Venant Bisogo before rejoining the national army in 2010, where he continued his military service until his arrest in 2023.
Those who knew Colonel Ruterera describe him as a courageous, dedicated, and hardworking officer who served his country with commitment. They say he played a significant role in several military operations during different periods of the region’s history.
His death has renewed concerns about conditions inside prisons in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly regarding access to medical care, the protection of prisoners’ rights, and the handling of judicial proceedings.
His family and supporters are calling for an independent, impartial investigation to determine the truth surrounding his detention, his illness, and the cause of his death.
At the time of publication, the authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo had not issued any official statement regarding Colonel Ruterera’s death or responded to the allegations raised by his family.
