Photo of the week-Bubanza : Regideso’s open manholes become “gravelands” for passersby

Several manholes belonging to the Water and Electricity Production and Distribution Authority (Regideso), located on public roads in the center of Bubanza, are now missing their covers after being stolen. These gaping openings pose a danger to residents, especially children. More than four people have reportedly already fallen into these manholes and been injured.

In the Bubanza neighborhood, in the center of the Bubanza district, in Bujumbura province, western Burundi, several manholes installed for Regideso’s water distribution network have been left open after their metal covers were stolen.

These openings are located on roads regularly used by residents. For them, the situation is becoming increasingly worrying, especially for children who play in the streets.

According to eyewitness accounts gathered on site, more than four people have already fallen into these manholes and been injured. The danger is even greater at night, when visibility is reduced.

Some children who spend the night in the streets have even taken to using these openings as shelters, a practice that further increases the risk of accidents.

Improvised solutions by residents

Faced with the lack of covers, some residents are trying to secure the dangerous areas with whatever available means they have .

Wooden planks are placed over some of the openings to prevent passersby from falling in.

But these makeshift solutions remain precarious and do not constitute a long-term solution.

When questioned about the situation, the local administration acknowledged being aware of the existence of these open manholes and the risks they pose to the population.

It encourages residents of downtown Bubanza to use planks to cover them temporarily, while a permanent solution is being sought.

A danger beyond accidents

Beyond falls and injuries, residents also fear that these open manholes could serve as hiding places for criminals.

This concern arises as theft has become, according to several residents, a major issue in downtown Bubanza.

Unsecured openings could thus offer discreet locations for malicious individuals, especially at night.

Residents are therefore calling for swift action to replace these manhole covers with solid ones and secure public spaces.

For them, the boards temporarily installed by some residents cannot replace a proper security measure. They are asking the authorities and those responsible for the water network to quickly take necessary steps to prevent further accidents and strengthen security in downtown Bubanza.

A problem beyond Bubanza

The situation in Bubanza is not unique. In several towns and cities across the small East African nation, manholes, gutters, and other structures built on public roads sometimes remain open or are insufficiently secured, exposing passersby, especially children, to the risk of falls and injuries.

These dilapidated or uncovered structures become particularly dangerous at night when visibility is reduced.

For residents, securing these structures should not wait until more accidents occur. They are calling on local authorities and relevant services to identify at-risk infrastructure and take swift action to protect road users.

Our photo : two young boys stand next to a Regideso manhole without a cover in the center of Bubanza, western Burundi, in August 2026