Keypoints:
- Turahirwa charged with cannabis use, disputes trafficking claim
- Says arrest follows criticism of Kagame on Instagram
- Court hears bail request citing mental health grounds
MOSES Turahirwa, one of Rwanda’s most celebrated fashion designers, appeared before a Kigali court on Tuesday facing drug-related charges. But the 36-year-old, who uses they/she pronouns, told the court their arrest was politically motivated—alleging it followed a public online criticism of President Paul Kagame.
Turahirwa, the founder of fashion house Moshions and once designer to Kagame himself and US singer John Legend, was arrested on April 22. According to AFP, Turahirwa argued in court that the legal proceedings stem from a now-deleted Instagram post in which they accused the Rwandan president of unjustly jailing their father.
‘I don’t think I was arrested for investigations on drug consumption,’ they said in court. ‘I believe it is related to the post I made on Instagram, for which I already asked for forgiveness from the president of the country.’
The post, which had attracted widespread attention before being removed, included the line: ‘I’ve never forgiven Kagame.’
Drug charge disputed
Prosecutors told the court they are considering a more serious drug trafficking charge, citing the amount of cannabis allegedly found during the arrest. However, Turahirwa insists the quantity was misrepresented and that any cannabis in their possession was used strictly for medical purposes.
Their legal team requested an immediate release on bail, arguing that Turahirwa suffers from mental health issues and should not be held in custody.
Turahirwa recounted the arrest, saying: ‘I was woken up by many people at my gate and when I delayed to open, they broke the door. I saw a policeman and I was scared.’
No official statement has been made by the Rwandan government regarding Turahirwa’s arrest or the Instagram post.
Past controversies
This is not the first time the designer has faced legal trouble. In 2023, Turahirwa was arrested and investigated on similar drug-related charges and spent several months in jail before being released on provisional bail.
That same year, Turahirwa stepped down as CEO of Moshions following a public backlash over nude photographs they had posted online, further fuelling public discourse around the high-profile designer’s career and image.
Turahirwa, once celebrated for elevating Rwandan fashion onto the international stage, has long been a bold and polarising figure. Their arrest has again ignited debate around the country’s intolerance for dissent, with human rights groups frequently accusing President Kagame’s government of silencing critics and opposition voices.
Kagame, who has held power in Rwanda since 1994, has drawn criticism from international watchdogs for maintaining a tight grip on public life, with accusations of repression, surveillance, and detention of political opponents.
As the court deliberates on Turahirwa’s bail and the trajectory of the case, the intersection of politics, personal expression, and legal proceedings remains in sharp focus.
