Bujumbura : a BBN employee found dead in Kibenga, his family suspects a murder

SOS Médias Burundi

Bujumbura, August 20, 2026 — The lifeless body of Raphaël Hakizimana, an employee of the Burundi Bureau of Standards (BBN), was found on the night of Tuesday, August 18, to Wednesday, August 19, 2026, on Avenue du Large in the Kibenga neighborhood of the commercial capital, Bujumbura.

According to sources close to the family, Raphaël Hakizimana left his home in the Mugoboka neighborhood, in northern Bujumbura, during the night, without his family’s knowledge. His body was reportedly found in Kibenga later that same night.

A death with still mysterious circumstances

The exact circumstances of his death remain unknown at this time. According to the same sources, the body showed no apparent signs of injury.

Some relatives of the victim suspect, however, that he may have been strangled before his body was dumped on Avenue du Large. This hypothesis has not been confirmed by the relevant authorities and still needs to be established through an investigation and, if necessary, forensic examinations.

The family is also questioning the circumstances under which Raphaël Hakizimana ended up in Kibenga after leaving his home in Mugoboka, in the north of the city.

Another death amid security concerns

Recently, the spokesperson for the Burundi National Police (PNB), Désiré Nduwimana, announced the arrest of more than 800 people in operations carried out in several neighborhoods of Bujumbura, following the discovery of three bodies.

According to the spokesperson, some wanted individuals or those suspected of involvement in criminal acts are hiding in bushes, river valleys, unfinished houses under construction, or even under certain bridges.

This statement, made before the discovery of Raphaël Hakizimana’s body, takes on particular significance as this latest death reignites concerns about security in the commercial capital and raises further questions about the circumstances surrounding certain deaths in Bujumbura.

However, at this stage, no evidence establishes any link between the death of the BBN employee and the three bodies mentioned by the police.

The family demands an investigation

The victim’s relatives are calling for a thorough investigation to establish the exact circumstances of his death and identify any perpetrators.

They specifically want investigators to reconstruct Raphaël Hakizimana’s final hours, determine who he might have been in contact with before his death, and establish how his body was found on Avenue du Large.

The motives behind his death also remain unknown.

At this stage, no official statement has been released regarding the circumstances of his death. The family hopes that an investigation will determine the exact cause of death and shed light on the circumstances surrounding the death of this BBN employee.