Bubanza : a school teacher arrested for alleged rape of 16-year-old student

SOS Médias Burundi

Bubanza, March 5, 2026 — D.N., the head teacher of the ECOFO-Mitakataka Primary School, located in the Mitakataka zone of ​​Bubanza district, Bujumbura province in western Burundi, was arrested on Monday, March 2, 2026. He is currently held in the Bubanza police station, where he is prosecuted for the alleged rape of a pupil at his school.

According to the Mitakataka zone administration, the teacher is accused of sexually abusing this pupil on several occasions. The alleged incidents occurred in the head teacher’s office at the school. The victim, aged 16 years old, is reportedly pregnant as a result of these alleged abuses.

Administrative authorities indicate that the suspect, a married man, has been arrested to allow judicial services to conduct the necessary investigations into this case. The arrest aims to ensure that justice can be served and to protect the victim, who remains a minor.

The director of ECOFO-Mitakataka, who states that he has conducted internal administrative checks, confirms that abuse allegedly occurred. However, he specifies that it took place outside the school grounds, while confirming that the victim was indeed a pupil in the alleged perpetrator’s class.

Local human rights organizations in Bubanza province reacted swiftly, strongly condemning this act, which they describe as a serious violation of children’s rights. These organizations reiterate that schools must be safe places where children can study and develop free from harm.

“The school environment is supposed to protect pupils, but here, an adult responsible for their supervision is accused of repeated abuse.” “This constitutes a serious violation of children’s rights and a breach of professional ethics,” said a representative of a local NGO, speaking on condition of anonymity.

These organizations are calling on the judicial authorities to rigorously implement the law so that anyone found guilty is punished in accordance with the Burundian penal code. They are also denouncing the continued sexual violence against minors and demanding an urgent strengthening of victim protection mechanisms, as well as a more determined fight against impunity.

The case has sparked outrage in the Bubanza district, where parents and pupils are expressing their concern about what they consider a serious breach of safety and child protection in schools.