Gitega : ten deaths in ten days, growing concern over rising crime

SOS Médias Burundi

Gitega, August 6, 2026—The discovery of two more bodies on Wednesday, August 5, brings the number of people killed or found dead in the past ten days in Gitega province, central Burundi, to around ten. While local authorities cite various causes, some residents are calling for thorough investigations to shed light on these deaths.

In Gasongati village, in the district of Gishubi, the lifeless body of Alexis Nduwimana, 37 years, a father of three children and an agronomist working in the Kibuye zone, was found inside his home on Wednesday. According to a witness, the victim was found hanged by a rope attached to the rafters.

Édouard Bizimana, chief of Gasongati village, confirmed the discovery of the body but stated he did not know the exact circumstances of the death. He suggested suicide, which he linked to occult beliefs.

This version, however, is disputed by some residents of Gasongati. They believe the agronomist could have been killed before his body was placed in the house to make it appear as though he had committed suicide. These same sources also mentioned land disputes as a possible explanation and called for independent investigations so that those responsible can be identified and brought to justice.

According to Édouard Bizimana, Alexis Nduwimana’s body was then taken to the morgue at Hope Hospital in Kibuye.

Another discovery in Rukoba

Also on Wednesday, August 5, the lifeless body of 39-year-old Euphrème Tuyikeze was found not far from his home in Rukoba village, in the district and province of Gitega.

Georges Ishoboravyose, chief of Rukoba village, suggests a possible epileptic seizure combined with intoxication as the cause of death.

These two cases come amid a spate of deaths in Gitega province. Since July 26, about ten people have been killed or found dead in just ten days in this province in the center of the small East African nation, which also includes Gitega, the political capital.

Gitega among the provinces regularly cited

Gitega is regularly cited among the provinces of Burundi where cases of assassinations, disappearances, and the discovery of bodies are reported.

The Iteka League, a pioneering human rights organization in Burundi, forced to work from exile since the crisis triggered by the controversial third term of the late President Pierre Nkurunziza in 2015, recently ranked Gitega among the provinces most affected by human rights violations.

The cases of murders and the discovery of bodies have also raised concerns among the Catholic bishops of Burundi, as well as the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi, Fortuné Gaëtan Zongo.

President Évariste Ndayishimiye recently lashed out at the Catholic bishops, accusing them of holding positions critical of the government after their calls for more action to address the country’s security and social problems.

Faced with this string of deaths, residents are demanding credible and independent investigations to establish the exact circumstances of each case and to prosecute those responsible.