Bujumbura : three bodies found, over 800 arrests in high-risk areas

SOS Médias Burundi

Bujumbura, August 15, 2026—The discovery of three lifeless bodies on Mwezi Gisabo Boulevard comes as the Burundi National Police intensify their operations against crime in several neighborhoods of Bujumbura, Burundi’s commercial capital and main administrative center, which also hosts United Nations agencies. More than 800 people have been arrested since the beginning of August, according to the police.

Three bodies found in Bujumbura

The Burundi National Police (PNB) announced on Friday, August 14, the discovery of three lifeless bodies on Mwezi Gisabo Boulevard in Bujumbura.

According to PNB spokesperson Désiré Nduwimana, the victims were believed to be people with disabilities. He stated that they were killed by individuals involved in criminal activities who were hiding in hard-to-reach areas of the commercial capital.

The police did not provide further details on the victims’ identities, the exact circumstances of their deaths, or the progress of any investigations.

The discovery comes amid repeated complaints from residents about theft and other criminal activity in several neighborhoods and outlying areas of Bujumbura.

Areas of concern

During a press conference in Bujumbura, Désiré Nduwimana indicated that the police had intensified search and control operations in several areas considered sensitive.

According to him, some wanted individuals or those without identity documents were hiding, particularly in bushes, river valleys, unfinished houses under construction, and under certain bridges.

Among the areas cited are the banks of the Ntahangwa River, a place called “Kwinyoni,” not far from Lake Tanganyika, and several areas located near the waterways that flow through the city before emptying into the lake.

The Imprimerie Avenue, formerly known as “Death Avenue,” in the city center, is also among the locations mentioned by the police.

More than 800 people arrested

The National Police (PNB) claims to have arrested more than 800 people during the first two weeks of August.

According to figures released by the police, 608 undocumented individuals were discovered in the bushes and river valleys flowing through Bujumbura. Among them were 168 minors and 404 adults, according to the spokesperson.

Police also state that some individuals are moving back and forth between different neighborhoods before disappearing into waterways or wooded areas after allegedly committing crimes.

The National Police (PNB) did not specify how many of those apprehended were suspected of having committed offenses, how many were simply lacking proper documentation, or how many were released after verification.

Several areas under surveillance

The Gikoma bridge, north of Bujumbura, is among the other areas being monitored by security forces.

Police also cite the bush located between Kinanira 1 and the Bujumbura Major Seminary, on the Muha River, in the south.

Unfinished houses under construction, the shores of Lake Tanganyika, and the Kanyosha River valley, particularly in the area between the Kibenga and Kanyosha neighborhoods, near the river’s mouth at the lake, are also among the areas being monitored by police.

The presence of individuals in these areas has become a source of concern for some residents, who have reported alleged criminal acts to the authorities.

283 people arrested in one day

The operations continued on Friday, August 14.

According to Désiré Nduwimana, 283 people, including 16 women, were arrested in a single day.

Among them were two adults between 40 and 50 years old, as well as minors aged between 14 and 16.

The Burundi National Police (PNB) states that it will continue control and security operations in various areas considered high-risk.

Bodies found : a concern that extends beyond Bujumbura

The discovery of bodies in various regions of Burundi has been a source of concern for local and international human rights organizations for several years.

The issue is also being monitored by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi, Fortuné Gaëtan Zongo.

In his recent statements, the UN expert called on the Burundian authorities to strengthen investigations into human rights violations, combat impunity, and ensure that those responsible are identified and prosecuted.

The United Nations and several human rights organizations have documented cases of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and other serious violations in Burundi.

Catholic bishops had also raised the alarm.

This situation comes a few days after the Catholic bishops of Burundi issued a statement on the situation in the country.

The Conference of Catholic Bishops of Burundi expressed concerns, particularly regarding the poverty, insecurity, and social difficulties faced by many Burundians.

President Évariste Ndayishimiye reacted strongly to these criticisms. He had accused the bishops of “politicizing poverty” and “booing the state,” denouncing a way of presenting the country’s difficulties that he considered unfair to the authorities.

This clash between the government and the Catholic Church reignited the debate on freedom of expression and how the authorities respond to concerns expressed by various segments of the Burundian society.

The population urged to cooperate

Faced with the security situation, Désiré Nduwimana called on the residents of Bujumbura to cooperate with the police.

He asked the population to report the presence of suspicious individuals or movements likely to disrupt security.

For the Burundian National Police (PNB), residents are an essential partner in crime prevention and the protection of people and their property.

The police thus encourage residents not to remain silent in the face of suspicious situations, while leaving it to the competent authorities to carry out the necessary investigations.

But beyond the arrests, the discovery of three bodies raises another question : will the investigations establish the circumstances of these deaths and identify those responsible?

The police state that these operations will continue in the coming days to reinforce security and prevent further criminal activity in areas considered high-risk.