Burundi : three children sexually assaulted in one month, alarm raised in Rumonge

SOS Médias Burundi

Rumonge, July 16, 2026 – At least four cases of sexual violence, three of which involved children, have been reported in the space of a month in the zones of Gatete, Kigwena, and Rumonge district, in Burunga province, southwestern Burundi. The incidents, which occurred between June 9 and July 3, 2026, have sparked serious concern among the population and child rights advocates, who are denouncing a surge in sexual assaults in this part of the small East African nation.

A child found after cries for help

The most recent case involves a child from Mutambara village, in the Gatete zone of ​​Rumonge district.

According to family members, the incident occurred on the evening of July 3, 2026. Around 6:00 p.m., the parents noticed their child was missing and immediately began searching the neighborhood.

A few moments later, passersby alerted them after hearing cries for help coming from a gutter in Gatete village.

The victim was found and taken to Rumonge Hospital for medical treatment.

The alleged perpetrator had not yet been identified at the time of writing. According to the child’s parents, he fled immediately after the incident.

Two other minors assaulted the same day

Another case was reported on June 10 in Mutambara II village, also in the Rumonge district.

According to testimonies gathered from residents, a young girl was lured into a shop by a young man before being sexually assaulted.

The victim’s cries alerted local residents. She reportedly managed to escape, allowing neighbors to intervene and call the police.

The alleged perpetrator was arrested and then transferred to the Rumonge provincial police station’s holding cell, according to local sources.

The victim was taken to the Humura Center in Mutambara for medical treatment.

On the same day, another minor from Nkayamba village, in the town of Rumonge, was also reportedly the victim of sexual violence.

According to police sources, the alleged perpetrator was identified, arrested, and detained in the Rumonge police station.

The child received medical care at the branch of the Burundian Association for Family Welfare (ABUBEF), located in the town of Rumonge.

A woman assaulted while her husband was away

The fourth case involves a 38-year-old woman living in Cabara village in the Kigwena zone.

According to local authorities, two men broke into her home on the night of June 9, 2026, taking advantage of her husband’s absence.

The victim called for help, alerting neighbors who intervened before contacting the police.

One of the two alleged perpetrators was arrested and detained in the Rumonge jail, while the second fled, according to the same sources.

Child rights advocates raise the alarm

The exact circumstances and motives behind these attacks remain to be determined.

According to several testimonies gathered on site, some of the alleged perpetrators took advantage of the parents’ absence to prey on children. In some cases, they reportedly lured the victims with small gifts before committing the assaults.

Faced with this surge in sexual violence, child rights advocates in Rumonge are deeply concerned. They are calling on judicial and police authorities to conduct thorough investigations, bring all alleged perpetrators to justice, and strengthen prevention and awareness campaigns within communities.

According to them, the protection of children and women must become a priority in order to curb a phenomenon that is causing growing concern in Burunga province.