Bukinanyana : a machete attack in Ndava, one man killed and two seriously injured

SOS Médias Burundi

Bukinanyana, August 5, 2025 – The peaceful nighttime atmosphere in Bwiza II village, in the Ndava zone of Bukinanyana district (Bujumbura province, west), was shattered by a violent attack on the night of Monday, August 4, to Tuesday, August 5. Men armed with machetes stormed the home of Eliphase Miburo, 60 years old, before brutally killing him.

According to witnesses gathered at the scene, the attackers targeted other members of the household. Calinie Nzeyimana, the victim’s 50-year-old wife, and a 10-year-old child suffered serious head injuries. They were urgently evacuated to a local health center, where their condition is considered critical.

Imbonerakure arrested, accomplices on the run

The Ndava village chief, Samuel Karenzo, confirmed the incident on Tuesday morning. “As soon as we heard the screams, we alerted the police and mobilized residents to intervene. One of the alleged attackers, Martin Nsengiyumva, a young Imbonerakure, was arrested on the spot. The others managed to escape,” he said.

The Imbonerakure are members of the youth league of the CNDD-FDD, Burundi’s ruling party.

According to preliminary investigations, the assailants are believed to have come from the neighboring area of Gahabura, where the victim once lived before moving to Bwiza II about ten years ago. The motives for this attack remain unknown.

A context of persistent insecurity

Faced with this latest act of violence, the village chief issued an urgent appeal to the authorities : “We demand justice. These barbaric acts must not go unpunished. The safety of the entire community depends on it.”

This incident comes on top of a series of violent events that have rocked Bukinanyana district for several months, reinforcing the climate of insecurity there. Security forces are actively continuing their search for accomplices still at large.