Nakivale (Uganda) : a Burundian refugee killed by his compatriot

SOS Médias Burundi

Nakivale, August 26, 2025 – Mob justice resurfaces in the Nakivale refugee camp in southwestern Uganda. A Burundian refugee, known as Bukuru, died on Sunday after being seriously assaulted by one of his compatriots a week earlier.

According to witnesses gathered on site, the tragedy occurred last week in the village of Kashojwa B. Bukuru, a motorcyclist living in New Hope, almost hit his neighbor’s child. Enraged, the child’s father allegedly violently attacked him.

“He hit him several times with clubs and sticks with nails in them on the head. It took the intervention of other refugees to rescue him,” reported a witness. Taken to hospital, Bukuru remained in critical condition for a week before succumbing to his injuries on Sunday.

Following the attack, the victim’s colleagues attempted to attack the suspect, causing tensions in the camp. Ugandan police intervened to calm the situation and detained the attacker at Kabingo Central Prison, not far from the camp.

“The man was initially imprisoned for his own protection and to allow the investigation to proceed,” a police source said.

The camp’s police and administration authorities are warning against mob justice, fearing an escalation of violence. They are calling on refugees to report crimes and to trust law enforcement.

For many residents, Bukuru’s death is an injustice : “He should have been congratulated rather than killed, because he avoided injuring the child, who, incidentally, was not harmed,” said a resident. Some describe the act as an “extrajudicial execution” and are calling for “a death sentence similar to the one inflicted on Bukuru.”

The Nakivale camp hosts more than 150,000 refugees, including nearly 33,000 Burundians.