Muramba : a man killed with a pickaxe, a fourth violent murder worries residents

SOS Médias Burundi

Muramba (Bubanza), July 27, 2026 — A man was killed on the night of July 25, 2026, in Muramba village, in the Muramba zone of ​​Bubanza district, Bujumbura province, in western Burundi. The victim, Désiré Nsabimana, was reportedly fatally struck in the head with a pickaxe by individuals whose identities have not yet been fully established. Two suspects have been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing.

According to local sources, the incident occurred around 10:00 PM. Earlier that day, Désiré Nsabimana had been working for a friend, Nsabiyaremye, a motorcycle taxi rider who regularly provided him with transportation.

That evening, he reportedly received a phone call before being found dead at that location. His body was taken that same night to the Muramba health center, before being transferred the following day to the morgue at Bubanza Hospital.

As part of the investigation, police arrested two suspects, brothers Issa and Nsabiyaremye, known locally as members of the Imbonerakure, the youth wing of the CNDD-FDD party. They are currently held in the cells of the Bubanza district police station.

Law enforcement officials indicate that other individuals suspected of involvement in the murder are still being sought.

A departure for Dubai at the heart of questions

The death of Désiré Nsabimana has sparked deep sorrow among his loved ones. According to his family, he was scheduled to leave Burundi in the coming days for Dubai, where a job awaited him.

His travel documents and employment contract were already prepared. His relatives suggest that this departure plan could be linked to the motive for the crime, believing that “some people didn’t want him to succeed.”

This statement reflects the family’s version of events and has not yet been confirmed by the investigating authorities.

Désiré Nsabimana leaves behind a wife and two children.

A series of murders raises concerns in the Muramba zone

According to SOS Médias Burundi, four people have been killed in this area since the end of June, including a man in his sixties. This series of violent deaths, in circumstances deemed troubling by residents, has reignited concerns about security in the region.

Residents are demanding that the authorities strengthen security and that thorough investigations be conducted to identify the perpetrators of these crimes and bring them to justice.

According to reports from the Iteka League, a pioneering human rights organization in Burundi forced to continue its work from exile since the 2015 crisis, Bujumbura province is among the regions where cases of violations of the right to life, disappearances, and other violence are regularly reported.

These reports indicate that Bujumbura province is one of three Burundian provinces where a surge in crime and human rights violations has been observed in recent months.

Residents of Muramba are calling for swift action from the authorities to fully investigate these murders and bring the alleged perpetrators to justice.