Clément Kayishema

Clément Kayishema (born 1954) is a Rwandan doctor, politician and the former prefect of Kibuye. His father, Jean Baptiste Nabagiziki, was a judge, although his mother and siblings were uneducated farmers.

Kayishema began attending the National University of Rwanda on a scholarship in 1974. Upon graduation, he worked as a doctor, practicing surgery and general medicine. In 1984, he worked in a Ugandan refugee camp, and then from 1986 until 1991 he was the medical director of the hospital in Nyanza. In 1987 he married a woman named Mukandoli, who holds a degree in education science, with specialization in psychology, and with her had two children. He joined a political party in April of 1992 and was appointed prefect of Kibuye on 3 July of that same year.

During the Rwandan genocide, Kayishema, as prefect, ordered several roadblocks placed. At these roadblocks, Hutu and Tutsi Rwandans were split up, and the Tutsis were systematically injured, mutilated, raped, and eventually murdered. He also helped orchestrate the systematic genocide of the Tutsi population by the forces under his command. Tutsis sought protection in traditionally safe areas, such as the Catholic Church and Home Saint-Jean Complex, and a church in Mubuga. They also hid in the Kibuye Town Stadium. All told, between 17000 and 40500 Tutsis hid in these places.The police (gendarmes) originally surrounded the sites and appeared to merely be maintaining order. However, they soon cut off supplies to these sites and allowed the militia to kill Tutsis attempting to escape. Eventually, starting on 15 April, 1994, the local officials and militia attacked the Tutsi refugees, on orders and under the supervision of Kayishema. Kayishima personally participated in the attacks.

On 21 May, 1999, he was sentenced to life imprisonment by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. He is serving his sentence in a prison in Mali.