Burunga : four bodies found in September—a grim series of events alarming residents

SOS Médias Burundi

Makamba, October 1, 2026 — At least four bodies have been discovered since the beginning of September in the Burunga area of ​​southern Burundi, according to a tally by SOS Médias Burundi. The latest victim—found on Saturday, September 26, under the Mutsindozi River bridge in Rutenderi village (Gatabo Zone, Makamba district)—was identified on Wednesday as Jean-Claude Nshimirimana. He was an official with the Rural Water and Sanitation Agency (AHAMER) and had been reported missing the previous day. These successive discoveries are reigniting residents’ concerns regarding regional security and the circumstances under which bodies are being abandoned in isolated locations.

Jean-Claude Nshimirimana missing since September 25

Jean-Claude Nshimirimana was the head of the department responsible for supporting community associations and served as the chairman of the AHAMER works council.

According to reports, he disappeared on the afternoon of Friday, September 25, while returning from work at the AHAMER headquarters liaison office in Bujumbura, Burundi’s commercial capital.

News of his disappearance was circulated on Wednesday, September 30—the very day his body was formally identified.

A body found under the bridge the following day

The day after he went missing—on the morning of Saturday, September 26—a body was discovered under the Mutsindozi River bridge in Rutenderi village (Gatabo Zone, Makamba district).

According to information gathered in the area, traces of blood were observed around the head and mouth. Injuries were reportedly observed as well, though their cause remains to be determined.

The body was recovered with the assistance of Red Cross volunteers before being transferred to the Rutana Hospital morgue.

A body allegedly transported to the Mutsindozi River

Information gathered from local witnesses suggests the body may have been transported to the site before being abandoned under the bridge.

A vehicle reportedly left the Rutana-Gihofi road to head toward the Mutsindozi River area, presumably in an attempt to cover tracks before the body was dumped.

These details remain to be verified by investigators. The circumstances surrounding how the body ended up under the bridge, as well as the identities of any individuals potentially involved, have not yet been established.

Questions regarding his professional activities

Jean Claude Nshimirimana’s death has raised questions among his professional associates. Some colleagues suspect a link between his disappearance and his work with AHAMER.

However, at this stage, there is no independent information establishing a direct connection between his professional duties and his death.

The exact circumstances of his disappearance and death, along with any potential motive, remain to be determined by the competent authorities.

The Mutsindozi: a source of concern for local residents

This latest discovery has also reignited concerns regarding the Mutsindozi River. According to local accounts, the site has reportedly been used on several occasions to dump lifeless bodies.

The discovery of Jean Claude Nshimirimana’s body raises fresh questions about security in this part of the Makamba district —specifically regarding how bodies can be transported to and abandoned in the area.

A series of discoveries raising concerns among human rights defenders

Since the beginning of September, the discovery of Jean-Claude Nshimirimana’s body has brought the total number of lifeless bodies found in Burunga province to at least four, according to a tally by SOS Médias Burundi.

These discoveries occur against a national backdrop of persistent concern among human rights organizations regarding violations of the right to life, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and impunity.

In their various reports, these organizations regularly call on the authorities to conduct thorough investigations into cases of suspicious deaths and disappearances in order to establish accountability and ensure families’ rights to truth and justice.

Catholic bishops raise the alarm on the human rights situation

Concerns regarding security and human rights have also been voiced by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Burundi (CECAB).

In their statement issued in June 2026, following their plenary assembly held from June 1 to 5, the bishops highlighted the discovery of bodies in various parts of the country, as well as cases of detention they deemed concerning.

They called on the authorities to strengthen the protection of citizens and ensure respect for fundamental rights.

President Évariste Ndayishimiye responded to the statement a few days later. He criticized certain civil society organizations—specifically the Catholic Church—for prioritizing criticism of institutions rather than contributing, in his view, to finding solutions to the difficulties facing the population.

The Head of State urged religious leaders to focus on concrete actions that foster development and improve the population’s living conditions.

UN Special Rapporteur reports persistent violations

The concerns raised by human rights organizations and the bishops echo those of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi, Fortuné Gaëtan Zongo.

In the report he presented to the Human Rights Council in September 2026, the UN expert documented persistent human rights violations in Burundi, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary arrests and detentions.

He also noted restrictions on fundamental freedoms and called on Burundian authorities to step up the fight against impunity and ensure credible investigations into reported violations.

The Burundian government frequently disputes certain findings by international human rights mechanisms, highlighting instead the progress made in the areas of security, stability, and development. In the case of Jean-Claude Nshimirimana, the identification of the body now marks a crucial step in establishing the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death.

Investigators will need to determine the exact cause of death, verify accounts suggesting the body may have been transported to the site, and ascertain whether his professional activities played any role in the events.

For the deceased’s loved ones and the residents of the Gatabo area, the priority is now to uncover the truth about the circumstances of his death and to see those responsible identified and brought to justice.