Rumonge : beaten then arrested? The family of a retired soldier denounces a one-sided case

SOS Médias Burundi

Rumonge, August 6, 2026 – Joseph Niyongabo, a retired soldier from Murenge village, in the Rusabagi zone of ​​Rumonge district, Burunga province in southwestern Burundi, has been detained since July 31, 2026, at the provincial police station in Rumonge. Charged with alleged assault and battery against a neighbor, he is currently hospitalized under police guard. His family disputes this version of events and claims that he is actually the main victim in this case.

According to sources close to the family, the incident dates back to July 22, 2026. On that day, Joseph Niyongabo was tending his flock in his pasture when an altercation reportedly broke out with a neighbor. During the incident, the retiree was reportedly injured in the left ear, while his neighbor was struck in the forehead.

Witnesses interviewed at the scene stated that several people, who initially appeared to intervene to separate the two men, ultimately joined in the attack on Joseph Niyongabo. According to these accounts, he was severely beaten before being taken by police to the Muyange Health Center for treatment.

According to the same sources, the judicial police ordered his arrest on the same day as the incident, July 22, 2026. After several days in detention, he was transferred on July 31, 2026, to the detaining cells of the provincial police station in Rumonge.

His family reports that his health deteriorated during his detention, forcing the authorities to transfer him to the Rumonge hospital, where he is currently hospitalized under police guard.

The family denounces unfair treatment

The relatives of the retired soldier are denouncing what they call unfair treatment in the handling of the case. They assert that the individuals they accuse of assaulting Joseph Niyongabo have not been arrested, while he remains in custody.

They are calling on the judicial authorities to conduct an impartial investigation to establish the responsibilities of all those involved and to prosecute the perpetrators of the alleged violence in accordance with the law.

The judicial and police authorities have not yet issued a public statement on this case.