Gitega : a gruesome discovery of a sexagenerian man in the Ruvyironza River

SOS Médias Burundi

Gitega, August 24, 2025 – The lifeless body of a 69-year-old man was recovered on Saturday, August 23, from the Ruvyironza River, near Jurwe village, Bukoro Zone, Gishubi district, in Gitega Province, central Burundi. The victim, identified as Mathias Mpfekurera, was from Gasagara village, Makebuko Zone, also in Gitega Province.

According to witnesses, the body was already floating on the surface and showing signs of decomposition when it was discovered. The information was confirmed by Joseph Nyandwi, chief of Jurwe village, who indicated that the exact circumstances of the death remain unclear.
“The motives for the murder have not yet been clarified,” he said.

Buried the same day

After recovery, the body was buried Saturday in Jurwe village, in accordance with the local custom.

Gitega, a province under tension

For several months, the Gitega province has been referred to by residents as a “cemetery province” due to the recurring discovery of bodies in various localities. Local observers and human rights defenders continue to call for independent investigations to shed light on these tragedies, to no avail so far.