The forced collection of financial contributions is done by the Bagumyabanga (activists of the presidential party) who go door-to-door in different neighborhoods and hills of Kirundo province (northern Burundi). The collection is so restrictive that residents, including children, must present receipts to have access to public taps.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Some collectors claimed that the order was given by CNDD-FDD party officials, who also provide receipts for those who contribute.

« We were ordered to collect money in every household, store, shop, bistro, restaurant, … », confirmed two members of the CNDD-FDD party met on Bugera hill in Kirundo commune. They are among the collectors of these funds.

Those who refuse to donate are put on a « black » list to be punished.

According to our sources, there is no shortage of opponents to the collections.

« We meet recalcitrants here and there but they must be punished. Soon we will install barriers to only let through people with contribution receipts ».

Other restrictive measures have been taken.

Starting this Friday, each public tab is occupied by two people, including an Imbonerakure (members of the CNDD-FDD youth league) to only let those who present receipts draw.

« The others will also be punished by a refusal to sell them sugar », we learned. All this to force as many people as possible to give their contribution.

An SOS Médias Burundi reporter saw children and domestic workers being sent away from public taps to first take receipts given to their parents or bosses attesting that they have paid these contributions before having access to public fountains.

The collectors have on them receipts from the presidential party for 1000 and 2000 Burundian francs.

Nevertheless, among those who contributed and who say they are victims of this forced operation, some claim to have receipts for 1000 francs while they paid more than 2000 francs, or even up to 5000 francs.

Some civil servants claim to have been forced to give sums of up to more than 10 thousand.

The collection continues in several provinces of Burundi even if a press release from the secretary general of the CNDD-FDD, Réverien Ndikuriyo released on August 18 said that it should end on Thursday, August 29.

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A public fountain guarded by CNDD-FDD activists including Imbonerakure to only allow in people who have contributed, to draw water, August 30, 2024 (SOS Médias Burundi)