Gitega : a police station chief sentenced to five years in prison after shooting a man

SOS Médias Burundi

Gitega, July 20, 2026 – The Gitega Court of Appeal sentenced Police Lieutenant Jean Bosco Nayuburundi, 31 years old, head of the Buhiga station, to five years in prison and a fine of 100,000 Burundian francs on Saturday, July 18. Initially charged with attempted murder, the officer was ultimately found guilty of aggravated assault.

The defendant was tried in summary proceedings following the incident that occurred on the night of July 12, 2026. According to the prosecution, he opened fire on Nicolas Nsabimana in a bar in the town of Buhiga, in east-central Burundi, wounding him with a gunshot.

In court, the officer categorically denied the accusations against him. He maintained that the victim had been injured accidentally while intervening to separate a group of people involved in an altercation while they were drinking at the bar.

In its closing arguments, the prosecution had requested a sentence of fifteen years in prison. The defendant, for his part, pleaded not guilty, stating his intention to return to duty and cover the medical expenses of Nicolas Nsabimana, who is currently hospitalized at Buhiga Hospital.

After deliberation, the Gitega Court of Appeal reclassified the charges as aggravated assault and battery. It sentenced the officer to five years in prison and a fine of 100,000 Burundian francs.

Assisted by his lawyer, Ferdinand Hakizimana, the convicted man announced that he would appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.