A Rwandan fashion designer who identifies as transgender and has designed clothing for high-profile clients, including President Paul Kagame, has been arrested on forgery charges.
The designer, Moses Turahirwa, 35, posted a photo of her passport on Instagram, claiming that it had been altered to reflect her gender identity from male to female. She was taken into custody on Thursday by police.
Moses Turahirwa, the founder of Kigali Moshions fashion house and a former model, stepped down from her role as CEO of the company in November amidst controversy surrounding the publication of nude photos on the company’s social media accounts.
In January, the designer faced criticism in Rwanda after a video surfaced showing her engaging in sexual activity with two men. Turahirwa has designed clothing for President Paul Kagame and his family in the past.
Homosexuality isn’t always unlawful in Rwanda, in contrast to numerous of its neighbors (Tanzania, Uganda, and Burundi).