A man found dead in Ngozi : gray areas surrounding a possible murder

SOS Médias Burundi

Ngozi, July 11, 2025 – The Kigarama neighborhood, in Ngozi district in Butanyerera province (northern Burundi), woke up to shock on Thursday, July 10. The lifeless body of a married man and father of two, known as Alexis, was discovered near a public tap. The circumstances of his death raise many questions. An investigation is underway, while suspicions hover over certain young people affiliated with the ruling party.

The discovery of the body shocked residents. Alexis was lying on the ground, abandoned not far from a busy watering hole in the Kigarama neighborhood. Next to him, a bag of beans and rice had been carefully placed, as if to suggest an attempted robbery gone wrong.

“It was a set-up. He wasn’t a thief,” says a resident.

The neighborhood chief, Magnifique Niragira, confirms that the body was transported during the night by unidentified individuals. According to him, everything indicates that Alexis was killed elsewhere, then dumped at this strategic location to cover his tracks.

A known and respected victim

Alexis was no stranger to Kigarama. A sand seller, he worked by recycling sand salvaged from destroyed houses. His business allowed him to modestly support his family.

“He was courageous, respectful. He didn’t deserve such an end,” says a neighbor, visibly moved.

His sudden death plunges his loved ones, already living in dire straits, into deep despair. They are demanding a swift and impartial investigation.

Initial findings of the investigation

The police say they have opened an investigation. One person has been arrested. They reportedly stated they went to the city to buy shoes, but their testimony leaves some unclear details.

Furthermore, several local sources point the finger at certain members of the Imbonerakure, the youth league affiliated with the CNDD-FDD, who are often accused of abuses in various parts of the country. However, no formal evidence of their involvement has yet been provided by the authorities.

A region under tension

The Alexis case has rekindled tensions in a region where security remains fragile. Many residents say they feel left to fend for themselves in the face of the rising violence.

“We cannot continue to live in fear, without justice,” says a Kigarama resident.

The victim’s body was transferred to the morgue at Ngozi General Hospital. An autopsy has been requested to determine the exact cause of death. The administration promises to shed full light on this case.

In Kigarama, the pain is raw. So is the anger. And until justice is done, suspicion will continue to hang over a case that, for many, resembles a disguised murder.