Born on April 10, 1957, in Southern Province of Rwanda, Rwigema and his family fled to Uganda in 1960's following the 1959 Genocide against the Tutsi. He was among the FRONASA rebels who together with the Tanzania army waged a war against the Government of President Idi Amin and toppled him in April 1979. When the NRA captured power in 1986, he was appointed deputy army commander and overall operations commander. He commanded many operations during the Luweero war. He also commanded other operations in northern Uganda including one against the 'Holy Spirit Movement' led by prophetess Alice Lakwena. In February 1988. Rwigema was appointed the Ugandan Deputy Minister of State for Defence. On October 1st 1990, he led Rwandan patriotic front who defected from the Uganda army to wage a war that overthrew the regime in Rwanda. Unfortunately, he died on October 2, 1990 on the second day of the attack.