After his arrest, a relative joins Gahungu in detention

SOS Médias Burundi

Bujumbura, August 22, 2025 – On Thursday in Bujumbura, the commercial capital of Burundi, Police Brigadier General Bertin Gahungu was arrested by the National Intelligence Service (SNR). A young man, close to his family, was arrested shortly afterward and joined the general in detention. The exact reasons for these arrests remain unclear, while Gahungu’s eldest son is already detained in Mpimba.

Police Brigadier General Bertin Gahungu was summoned to the PNB (Burundi National Police) Intelligence Service at noon, as all staff were leaving their offices. He arrived in person, without a driver, in his double-decker car, accompanied by four bodyguards.

The head of police intelligence, Colonel Arthémon Nzitabakuze, informed him that he was under arrest. General Gahungu reportedly replied :
“You can’t arrest me because you are my subordinate.”

Colonel Nzitabakuze informed him that an official warrant was on its way. Moments later, agents of the National Intelligence Service (SNR) arrived with the warrant and arrested the general. Colonel Nzitabakuze’s deputy searched Gahungu’s vehicle without finding anything, according to witnesses. The four bodyguards were disarmed and first taken to the judicial police, before being transferred to the National Intelligence Service (SNR). Until Friday, Gahungu’s vehicle was held at the PNB General Inspectorate.

Questions about a young relative

According to sources familiar with the case, the officers questioned the guards about the movements of the general and a young man raised by his family, a student in China but currently on vacation. The guards recognized the young man from a photo and confirmed that he was staying at Gahungu’s home. Around 7:00 p.m., the four officers were released and returned to their home station at the general’s home. An hour later, the young man was arrested and taken to the National Intelligence Service (SNR), where he remains detained alongside the general.

Motives still unclear

No official statement has been made regarding this double arrest, and the exact reasons remain unclear. A source close to the family told SOS Médias Burundi that the general could be prosecuted for hiding behind an anonymous account that damaged the country’s image on social media, without providing further details.

A son already in detention

General Bertin Gahungu’s eldest son is currently detained in Bujumbura’s central prison, Mpimba. Although acquitted more than a year ago in a murder case involving one of his police officers, he remains in detention. He is a lieutenant in the Burundi National Defense Force (FDNB).