Rumonge : two police officers sentenced for fatal violence, but the verdict sparks outrage

SOS Médias Burundi

Rumonge, November 14, 2025 — The Rumonge First Instance Court, in Burunga province, southwestern Burundi, delivered its verdict Thursday evening in a case involving two police officers accused of intentionally causing bodily harm that resulted in the death of driver Éric Irakoze (36 years old), better known by his nickname Mututsi.

The defendants, Emery Nikundana and Blaise Uwimana, were sentenced to ten and twenty years of penal servitude, respectively, along with fines and substantial compensation payments to the victim’s family.

Judgment details

The case, registered under number RP 6370 / RMP 12940 / NE, pitted the public prosecutor against two officers of the National Police.

Emery Nikundana, who admitted to the facts and pleaded guilty, received a 10-year prison sentence and a fine of 50,000 Burundi francs.

Blaise Uwimana, who denied the charges, received a harsher sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of 100,000 Burundi francs.

The two police officers must also each pay 20 million Burundi francs in damages to the victim’s family, plus 6% judicial interest from the date of deposit until full payment, as well as a proportional fee of 4%. They are also responsible for court costs at a reduced rate.

A swift procedure and a strong signal

The judgment was handed down in open court, as part of an expedited procedure initiated quickly after the incident. This verdict is seen as a strong signal from the justice system against police abuses and violence committed by some members of law enforcement.

Reactions on the ground : anger and incomprehension

Leaving the courthouse, several residents and witnesses expressed their discontent, deeming the sentences too lenient for such a serious crime.

“It’s shameful! A man is killed and only given ten years? Where is justice headed?” exclaimed one resident.

“Mututsi wasn’t a criminal; he was a driver who worked honestly. They can’t kill a citizen and walk away as if nothing happened,” added a neighbor of the deceased.

Others emphasized a growing sense of insecurity, fearing that the justice system no longer inspires confidence in the face of police misconduct.

“If even those who are supposed to protect us become executioners, and they get away with it almost unpunished, what is left for ordinary citizens?” lamented a young driver.

A verdict that leaves open wounds

In the district of Rumonge, this case will be remembered for a long time. For many, the court’s ruling does not bring justice to the victim and raises questions about the responsibility of law enforcement and the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights.

Officers of the PNB (Burundi National Police) are often cited in cases of murder and other serious violations, but judgments commensurate with these crimes are rarely handed down.