A corpse recovered from the Ruvyironza River in Ryansoro : accidental drowning or disguised murder?

SOS Médias Burundi

Ryansoro, May 8, 2025 – The discovery of the lifeless body of Léopold Mbisamatore in the Ruvyironza River, in Ryansoro district, raises questions and suspicions. While police are considering an accidental drowning, residents fear a cover-up. This tragedy has renewed concerns about the increase in gruesome discoveries in Gitega province in central Burundi.

A disturbing scene shocked residents of Ryansoro district, in Gitega province, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The lifeless body of Léopold Mbisamatore, 42 years old, originally from Ndava village, was found in the waters of the Ruvyironza River by workers from the SONGA ENERGY company, during construction of a hydroelectric power plant.

The Burundi Red Cross was alerted and intervened to retrieve the body, which was already in an advanced state of decomposition. The man had been reported missing since Friday, May 2. Local police say they are focusing on drowning. According to their initial reports, the victim suffered from mental illness and attempted to cross the river to reach the neighboring district of Rutovu, in the southern province of Bururi.

But this version of events is far from convincing everyone. In his home village of Ndava, several residents are speaking of suspicious circumstances. Mbisamatore, they recall, was involved in an ongoing land dispute with members of his family. “There were recurring tensions. Some fear he was killed and thrown into the river,” a resident told us on condition of anonymity.

The chief of Ndava village, Léonidas Ndereka, confirmed that the victim was buried the same day he was discovered, without an autopsy or thorough investigation.

Bodies found, unanswered questions

This is not the first time that gruesome discoveries have caused outrage in Gitega province. In recent months, several cases of bodies found in rivers, forests, or the bush have been reported, often without legal action. These unsolved tragedies contribute to a climate of anxiety and impunity.

Faced with this situation, voices are being raised in Ndava calling for an independent investigation and an autopsy. “We need to shed light on this. Too many suspicious deaths go unreported in our region,” laments a local elder.

So far, no official announcement has been made regarding the next steps in the case.

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Burundi Red Cross workers retrieve the body of Léopold Mbisamatore from the Ruvyironza River, DR