SOS Médias Burundi

Kayanza, April 22, 2025 – A 67-year-old woman, Oda Ndarugendamwo, was killed with a machete during the night of Sunday to Monday in Bushoka village, in Muhanga district, Kayanza province, northern Burundi. According to initial reports, the victim was alone in her house when she was attacked by unidentified individuals.

According to neighbors, Oda Ndarugendamwo had returned home as usual before as yet unidentified individuals burst into her home and fatally assaulted her. The assailants then fled, leaving the population in shock.

The reasons for this murder remain unknown at this stage. However, some local sources suggest that the victim was accused of witchcraft, which many neighbors firmly reject.

« She lived peacefully with everyone, we don’t understand why she was killed, » confided a resident of Bushoka village.

The local administration, which confirmed the murder, urges caution and strongly condemns any act of mob justice. « She was accused of witchcraft, but that’s no reason to take justice into one’s own hands. An investigation is underway to identify the perpetrators of this despicable act, » said a local administration official.

Residents of Bushoka are calling for an urgent strengthening of security measures in a region where cases of murders linked to accusations of witchcraft are a growing concern.

Since the beginning of the year, at least four people have been killed in similar circumstances in Kayanza province, according to local sources.

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The urban center of Kayanza in northern Burundi (SOS Médias Burundi)