Bukinanyana : a woman killed with a machete, her husband arrested after disturbing statements

SOS Médias Burundi

Bukinanyana, August 30, 2026—A man identified as Toto was arrested by police after being accused of killing his wife, Butoyi, with a machete on the evening of Friday, August 28, 2026, in Sehe village, Masango zone, in the district of Bukinanyana, Bujumbura province, in northwestern Burundi.

According to information gathered by SOS Médias Burundi, the victim was violently attacked with a machete. Her body showed serious injuries, particularly on her head and arms, indicating significant violence.

Toto and Butoyi both belonged to the Batwa community. The couple had one child together. The exact circumstances of the tragedy and the motive for the alleged murder remain unknown.

The Batwa are one of Burundi’s historical communities, alongside the Hutu and Tutsi. Long marginalized economically and socially, many Batwa live in precarious conditions and face significant difficulties accessing land, education, and certain social services. The Burundian Constitution also provides for Batwa representation in certain public institutions.

After the incident, Toto reportedly went to the local administration of his own accord. According to local sources, he then declared, “Nakujemwo, nahejeje,” an expression that can be understood as “I have just finished, I am done.”

According to these same sources, Toto, a member of the Imbonerakure, the youth wing of the CNDD-FDD, the ruling party, uttered these words as if he had just completed a task or mission. The precise meaning of this statement will, however, need to be determined by the investigation.

The local authorities then reportedly took the suspect to the police, where he was detained as part of the investigation.

When contacted, the Bukinanyana district administration confirmed the events, specifying that the cause of the murder is not yet known. The exact circumstances of the tragedy and the suspect’s possible motives will have to be determined by the ongoing investigations.

Toto remains presumed innocent until a possible court decision.