SOS Médias Burundi, Ruyigi, July 29, 2025

In the Ruyigi region, in Buhumuza province (eastern Burundi), the courts have struck hard against grave desecrators. On Monday evening, the Ruyigi First Instance Court sentenced Firmin Nduwayo, Égide Sibomana, and Salvator Ndundaye to 10 years of penal servitude for desecrating graves at the Ngarama cemetery, still in use in Ruyigi district. The three men were arrested in the act while destroying metal funeral crosses on recently used graves.

Concealment of funeral supplies : one convicted, one acquitted

During the same trial, Désiré Kwizera and Innocent Habonimana, accused of concealing funeral supplies, appeared in court. The former was found guilty and sentenced to five years of penal servitude and a fine of 50,000 BIF. The latter was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

A community mobilizes to protect their graves

These arrests follow several months of complaints by residents of the Ngarama Peace Village, who denounced the desecration, destruction, and illegal exhumation of bodies in this cemetery. Supported by the national police, the population organized a night patrol that led to the arrest of the three main defendants in the act.

During their hearing, the convicted persons admitted the facts and denounced their alleged regular customers, including Désiré Kwizera, identified as the main buyer of the stolen items. However, no tangible evidence was found to establish Innocent Habonimana’s guilt.

Relief after the verdict

At the end of the trial, the residents of Ngarama welcomed the court decision, hoping it would deter potential repeat offenders. Séverin Ndakazi, executive secretary of Ruyigi district, also applauded the verdict and urged the population to focus on development work rather than committing shameful acts that run counter to Burundian social and cultural values.