Buganda : three bodies discovered in two days

SOS Médias Burundi

Buganda, October 26, 2025 —
Grim discoveries are sowing fear along the banks of the Rusizi River, separating Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the space of two days, three lifeless bodies were found in the Buganda zone, Bukinanyana district, Bujumbura province. Local authorities say they have not yet identified any of the victims or determined the exact circumstances of their deaths. This situation is causing great concern among the local population.

The first body was found under a bridge under construction.

According to information gathered from security officials, the first body—that of a completely naked man—was discovered on the morning of Friday, October 24, under a bridge under construction over the Rusizi River, at the 6th avenue, Kaburantwa village, along the National Road N°6.

The gruesome discovery was made by workers from a Chinese company in charge of the construction. They immediately alerted the soldiers present in the area, who contacted the administration authorities. The body was then taken to the morgue of the Ubuntu Clinic, located on the 4th avenue in Gasenyi.
Local authorities stated that no evidence has yet been found to identify the victim.

Two other decomposing bodies in a cassava field

The following day, Saturday, October 25, around 2 p.m., two more bodies were found not far from the Rusizi River, on the 3rd avenue, Gasenyi village, still in the Buganda region. They were lying in a cassava field and appeared to have been there for several days, already in an advanced state of decomposition.

Alerted by residents, local authorities ordered their immediate burial to avoid any health risks.
“We authorized their burial because the bodies were very damaged and gave off a strong odor,” said the chief of the Buganda zone, adding that the victims’ identities remain unknown.

Growing concern among the population

These gruesome discoveries are not the first in the region. According to several residents, bodies are regularly fished out of the Rusizi River or found in neighboring fields, without any thorough investigation being conducted.

Some fear that these crimes are linked to nighttime executions carried out by armed groups operating along the border.
“We live in fear. Bodies are found, but no one knows who they are or where they come from,” said a resident of Kaburantwa.

The chief of the Buganda zone calls on anyone who has lost a loved one to come forward and attempt identification. He also urges the relevant authorities to conduct thorough investigations to shed light on these repeated murders that are disturbing the peace of the population.