Bugendana : a young man shot dead, a police chief arrested — two tragedies that shake Gitega

SOS Médias Burundi

Gitega, August 25, 2026 — Two people have lost their lives in recent days in the district of Bugendana, in Gitega province, under circumstances that have sparked strong reactions among the population. Désiré Nshimirimana, 25 years old, was shot dead during a police operation in Gaterama village, while Isaac Habonimana, 39 years old, died after being brutally beaten in Gitongo village.

A young man shot dead during a police operation

The incident occurred at dawn on Tuesday, August 25, in Gaterama village. According to a witness cited in the case, a group of heavily armed police officers went to Joseph Bandora’s home to make arrests related to a land dispute.

The intervention reportedly escalated when residents confronted the police. During the confrontation, a police officer allegedly fired at Désiré Nshimirimana, hitting him in the chest. The young man died instantly, according to the same sources.

Romuald Habonimana, chief of Gaterama village, confirmed the events and indicated that the tension then spread throughout the area.

Residents notably blocked the Bugendana-Kibimba road, disrupting traffic for nearly two hours. The road was only reopened after the intervention of several people who came from Gitega, the political capital.

The body of Désiré Nshimirimana was then transported to the morgue at Kibimba Hospital, according to the local chief.

Six people arrested

Following these events, six people were arrested : Guido Nahimana, Venant Ndayisenga, Olivier Nkurunziza, Remy Bigirimana, Édouard Bigirimana, and Rénovat Nimbona.

They were taken to police custody for questioning, reports Romuald Habonimana.

In Gaterama village, residents are calling for an independent investigation to establish the exact circumstances of the young man’s death. They are also demanding the arrest and prosecution of the police officer identified as the shooter, in a summary trial.

Another death after a violent attack in Gitongo

Another death had been recorded two days earlier, on Sunday, August 23, in Gitongo village.

Isaac Habonimana, 39 years old, was reportedly severely beaten before succumbing to his injuries. According to Dieudonné Bizimana, chief of Gitongo village, the victim had been accused of disturbing the peace at a bar.

The village chief claims that the alleged perpetrator of the violence is known. He is said to be Raphaël Nduwimana, head of the Gitongo police station.

According to the same source, Raphaël Nduwimana was arrested following the incident and taken to the police station in Bugendana.

The residents of Gitongo are also demanding that the police chief be brought to justice in a summary trial.

Growing concerns in Gitega province

These two deaths, occurring just days apart in the same district, are fueling concerns among the residents of Bugendana, who are demanding a full investigation and that those responsible be held accountable by the justice system.

Since the beginning of the year, some eighty deaths or murders have been reported in Gitega Province, according to a count by SOS Médias Burundi.

In recent months, the Catholic bishops of Burundi, as well as Fortuné Gaëtan Zongo, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Burundi, have expressed concerns about the human rights and security situation in the country.

President Évariste Ndayishimiye has publicly criticized the Catholic bishops, accusing them of making statements that could fuel anxieties and tensions in the country.

In Bugendana, residents are now awaiting the results of the investigations to determine the exact circumstances of these two deaths and any potential liability.