Bubanza : a mutilated body discovered meters from a military post

SOS Médias Burundi

Mitakataka, June 13, 2026 – The discovery of a lifeless body in an advanced state of decomposition has caused shock in Mitakataka village, in the Mitakataka zone of ​​Bubanza district, in Bujumbura province, western Burundi. The victim, a young man whose identity remains unknown, was found just meters from a military post located on the Randa farm.

According to witnesses, a nauseating stench that became unbearable led to the grim discovery around 1:00 PM on June 12. Alerted by the unusual stench, residents mobilized to search for its source before stumbling upon a human body in an advanced state of decomposition.

Those present at the scene described a particularly shocking scene. The victim, found almost naked, wearing only underwear, showed several apparent signs of violence despite the advanced state of decomposition of the body. According to several witnesses, the eyes had been gouged out, and some parts of the body appeared to have been mutilated.

Representatives of the local administration went to the scene to assess the situation. Local authorities indicated that no identification documents or any clues that could identify the victim were found.

The Burundi Red Cross, Bubanza branch, Mitakataka section, played a significant role in managing this situation. Its volunteers participated in the field operations alongside local authorities until the body was buried.

The discovery of this body in the immediate vicinity of this military position continues to raise many questions among the residents. Several residents are questioning the circumstances of the victim’s death and the conditions in which his body was found in the area.

“We are shocked by the state in which the body was found. We hope that the truth will come out,” said a resident of Mitakataka village.

Administrative authorities and relevant services indicate that investigations are underway to determine the exact circumstances of the death and establish any potential liability.

Bujumbura province is among the regions regularly cited by the civil society organizations for the frequent discovery of bodies in often unclear circumstances. In a message published this week, the Catholic bishops of Burundi also expressed their concern about the persistence of these cases, enforced disappearances, and other human rights violations. They called on Burundian authorities to strengthen the protection of citizens, to shed full light on these situations, and to fight impunity so that those responsible are identified and brought to justice.