Buhumuza : strict uniforms and “forced fields,” the governor under pressure

SOS Médias Burundi

Buhumuza, September 24, 2025 – Since her arrival, the governor of Buhumuza, in eastern Burundi, Ms. Denise Ndaruhekere, has faced growing opposition. Her decisions, deemed “hasty” and “uncoordinated,” have caused frustration and concern among the population.

On August 21, she imposed new dress codes for all pupils : closed-toe shoes, white socks, blue pants and skirts, and white shirts, including in boarding schools.
“Many families can’t even afford closed-toe shoes; this decision is unrealistic,” laments a parent in Cendajuru. “Our children go to school wearing sandals or barefoot, how can we expect them to comply with this rule?” adds a secondary school teacher in Gisuru.

On September 20, she announced that idle youth would be “caught, loaded into trucks, and sent to work in community public fields, particularly to help the most deprived.”
“It seems like our freedom no longer has any value,” worryingly says a young man from Gisuru.
“It’s as if we’re being turned into forced labor; it can’t work,” adds another resident.

Even local officials emphasize the practical limitations :
“What agricultural inputs will be provided? Who will supervise these fields?” asks a zone chief.
“These measures don’t take into account the realities on the ground. We need to think before imposing them,” insists a local elder.

Local leaders, teachers, and members of the civil society denounce the lack of dialogue :
“Imposing rules without consultation risks fracturing the community. Dialogue must prevail to restore trust,” warns an association representative.
“Governance must be based on consensus, not fear,” adds a teacher.

For now, Ms. Ndaruhekere has not responded to the criticism. The population hopes she will reverse certain measures and open channels for inclusive dialogue to restore trust and ensure more equitable governance.