Burunga : when police violence takes hold in Makamba

SOS Médias Burundi

Makamba, December 29, 2025 – In Makamba, the town center of Burunga province in southern Burundi, a series of incidents involving police officers has reignited concerns about the excessive use of force, impunity, and growing insecurity, particularly for motorcyclists and journalists. Reports included the firing of live ammunition, a gunshot wound, and the assault of a journalist, without any immediate legal response.

The events date back to Tuesday, December 23, in the city of Makamba, when a police intervention escalated into armed violence, causing widespread panic among the population.

According to several consistent accounts gathered by SOS Media Burundi, an off-duty police officer attempted to confiscate a motorcycle. An altercation broke out with the driver, a motorcyclist named Fabrice, who was reportedly violently beaten before the officer used his firearm, wounding him with a gunshot. Witnesses indicate that the officer had threatened to take matters into his own hands the previous day after being prevented by motorcycle taxi drivers from seizing another vehicle in similar circumstances.

After the shooting, the officer reportedly fled towards the local branch of the Commercial Bank of Burundi (BANCOBU). His departure sparked anger among numerous motorcyclists and traders at the Makamba market, who gave chase. Stones were thrown, prompting the bank’s security officers to fire several shots to prevent any intrusion. The gunfire caused panic, forcing residents to flee hastily into nearby houses and shops.

It was in this climate of confusion that a journalist from the local radio station Isoko FM, who was attempting to cover the events, was violently assaulted and beaten by a police officer, in full view of several high-ranking officials present at the scene. Despite promises of sanctions made by local authorities, no concrete measures have been taken so far, according to sources close to the case.

Motorcycle riders are also denouncing the existence of a well-established extortion scheme. They claim that some police officers, often in plainclothes, carry out arbitrary confiscations even when all the documents are in order. To recover their motorcycles, victims are allegedly forced to pay sums ranging from 150,000 to 200,000 Burundi francs. The motorcycles are then reportedly moved to unknown locations to facilitate the extortion, away from any oversight, according to several consistent testimonies.

Faced with the seriousness of the situation, the administrative and police authorities of Burunga province intervened to try to calm tensions, as some motorcyclists threatened to take the law into their own hands. They called on anyone with reliable information about the incident to come forward to facilitate the announced investigations.

The injured motorcyclist was taken to Makamba Regional Hospital for treatment. The police officer accused of shooting the victim was reportedly apprehended afterward, but no immediate trial has yet been initiated, according to available information.

This incident highlights persistent concerns related to abuses of power, the disproportionate use of firearms, the safety of journalists, and the alleged existence of extortion practices, fueling a deep sense of injustice and impunity among the population of Makamba.