A few years ago, Moses Turahirwa was Rwanda’s creative darling, a fashion visionary who redefined the essence of local design. As the founder of Moshions, he didn’t just make clothes. He made statements. His brand fused Rwandan tradition with contemporary flair, turning “Made in Rwanda” into something stylish, respected, and internationally recognized. It was not uncommon to see his pieces worn by top dignitaries, including President Paul Kagame and his family.
More than a designer, Turahirwa was seen as a movement. His work fueled national pride, mentored young creatives, and earned accolades, including the African Fashion Designer of the Year award at the 2022 Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards. Many remember the day during the National Dialogue Council when citizens were encouraged to wear local attire, a symbolic moment that felt like a tribute to his influence.
The Beginning of a Downfall
That admiration, however, has started to unravel. What was once boldness is now being viewed as recklessness. In January 2023, a sexually explicit video allegedly showing Turahirwa with foreign men leaked on social media. He claimed the video was taken during a film shoot in Italy, stolen from his hacked Snapchat account, and never meant for public consumption. While some empathised with the idea of a privacy breach, others questioned how such sensitive content could have been so poorly guarded by someone with professional communication advisors.
Then came May 2023. Turahirwa was arrested by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau for drug use and forgery. The latter charge stemmed from a photo he posted online showing a passport that indicated his gender as female. He praised the government for the supposed recognition, but immigration authorities quickly denied issuing such a document. It was fake. Turahirwa claimed the passport was an artistic prop for his film Kwanda Season I and had no official purpose, but in court, he apologised for the misunderstanding and admitted to misjudging the public’s perception.
He also admitted to possessing cannabis, saying he had used it legally while living in Italy. However, Rwandan law strictly prohibits marijuana, and his defence was dismissed. Though he was granted bail in June 2023 due to procedural errors in his earlier detention, the court maintained there was strong evidence of drug use. He was barred from leaving the country and required to report regularly to authorities.
The Latest Scandal
For several months, Turahirwa stayed away from the headlines. That changed on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, when RIB confirmed that he had been arrested again, this time for confirmed drug use. RIB spokesperson Dr Thierry B Murangira told IGIHE that, “It is true that Moses Turahirwa was arrested and is being investigated for drug use, as confirmed by the results of tests conducted and analysed by experts from the Rwanda Forensic Institute.”
When asked about the possible influence of drug use on Turahirwa’s recent behaviour, Murangira added, “The amount of drugs found in his system was significant. We cannot ignore the impact that it might have had on his behaviour. As for the rest, the investigation is still ongoing.”
This arrest would already be significant on its own, but the public mood shifted further when Turahirwa posted a string of inflammatory messages on Instagram earlier this month. Among them were statements expressing hatred towards the country’s leadership. The statements shouldn’t carry so much weight, for a country that strives for freedom of speech and expression, but they seemed to be hypocritical coming from someone who seems to have had his fair share of good fortune gained from the publicity of his close ties with the first family.
This act of attacking the president and his political party alone may prove irredeemable in the eyes of many Rwandans, who tend to be strongly protective of their national leadership.
Rwandans have, in the past, shown a degree of public tolerance toward celebrities entangled in drug-related controversies. But Turahirwa’s situation is different. His issues have piled up, from scandalous videos to forged documents to bold political statements. The most recent arrest and his outburst against the president might be the final straw.
Many are now questioning if the same society that once celebrated his boldness will continue to excuse his transgressions. Has he pushed the boundaries too far? For many, the answer may no longer be a question, just a reluctant conclusion.
