Bubanza : arrest followed by detention of the former provincial representative of the Imbonerakure

Méthode Uwimana, former representative of the youth league of the CNDD-FDD, the Imbonerakure in Bubanza province (western Burundi) is held in the dungeon of the provincial police station. He was sent there last Friday after being arrested by police officers. Officially, he is suspected of opaque distribution of chemical fertilizers. But local sources speak of “revenge”.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Méthode Uwimana led the youth league of the ruling party in Bubanza province for several years. He had been removed from this position in 2023. Witnesses say he was arrested at his home in the Ntamba zone, in Musigati district. He is responsible for the Burundian company FOMI (Organic-Mineral Fertilizers) in the zone. The reason for his arrest, according to police sources, is the mismanagement and opaque distribution of chemical fertilizers.

Real reason

Sources within the ruling party present Méthode Uwimana as “the unloved child”. For good reason, in 2020, this zealous activist of the former Hutu rebellion, had openly spoken out in favor of the candidacy of Pascal Nyabenda, the former speaker of the National Assembly and chairperson of the CNDD-FDD who was the favorite candidate of the activists of Bubanza, his native province to represent the party in the presidential election at that time. With the new administrative division, Bubanza is considered a district belonging to the extended province of Bujumbura. However, the representative of the ruling party in the extended province of Bujumbura is a sworn enemy of the former provincial representative of the Imbonerakure, according to party officials. Alexandre Ngoragoze had already summoned Mr. Uwimana to threaten him, according to our sources.

“A month ago, Méthode was called by the governor telling him to go to his office. When he arrived there, he met the provincial police commissioner and the representative of the CNDD-FDD in the extended province of Bujumbura,” confided a close friend.

The message he received that day was very clear, according to our source. “If you want to oppose me, go ahead, but we will see who is more powerful between the two of us. The leaders present here are witnesses, they are the ones who will arrest you.”

Since his dismissal last year, Méthode Uwimana had been living in seclusion in his locality where he is very popular. Local CNDD-FDD activists believe that this arrest followed by detention aims to “deprive him of being elected for the local elections of 2025”.

Alexandre Ngoragoze was not available to answer our questions.

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A sign indicating the district of Musigati where Méthode Uwimana was arrested (SOS Médias Burundi)