Buheka in shock : a series of tragedies shakes the entire village

SOS Médias Burundi

Nyanza, November 15, 2025 — Buheka village, in the district of Nyanza, in the province of Burunga in the south of the small east African nation, is experiencing a period of rare emotional intensity. In the space of a few weeks, several successive tragedies have deeply shaken the inhabitants, fueling a climate of distress and insecurity.

On Saturday morning, Mercie Niyonkinzo, a fourth-grade pupil at Rusesa Primary School, was found dead in his family home. According to initial reports, the teenager took his own life after an argument with his younger sister while their parents were away.

The tragedy has struck a family already suffering. Less than three weeks earlier, her older sister, a third-grade pupil at the primary school, had died in tragic circumstances. This loss left the family still grieving.

Upon arriving at the scene of the new tragedy, their mother, Évelyne Tabu, was overwhelmed by the shock. She attempted suicide in her room. Neighbors and local authorities had to break down the door to intervene quickly and save her life.

This situation comes on top of another disturbing incident that occurred last Sunday : a man was ambushed by individuals armed with knives. Stabbed in the ribs, he narrowly survived.

Today, Buheka is spiraling into a cycle of family grief and insecurity. Residents are calling for psychological support for the affected families and an urgent strengthening of security measures.