SOS Médias Burundi

Bubanza, May 1, 2025 – The night of April 29, 2025, will remain etched in the memory of the residents of Bubanza, marked by a tragic incident that claimed the lives of three people, including a young maid, the innocent victim of a crime of passion between two police officers. This triple murder occurred at the « New Star » bistro, located a few hundred meters from the provincial office in Bubanza, western Burundi.

At around 10 p.m., a police officer, Bizimana Jean Claude, nicknamed « Kirenge, » in uniform, opened fire on his colleague, Bashirahishize Égide, nicknamed « Vubi. » The latter, a bodyguard for the Bubanza provincial commissioner, was killed after an argument over a bar maid, Léa Nijimbere, whom the two police officers were lusting after. The young woman, about to marry Égide after rejecting the advances of Jean Bosco, another police officer, was shot while sharing a drink with her future husband. Rushed to Bubanza hospital, Léa died of her injuries that same night.

After killing his comrade, Kirenge shot himself in the head, bringing the death toll in this gruesome tragedy to three.

The « New Star » bar, a popular spot frequented by locals and located in the immediate vicinity of the Bubanza presidential palace, has long been the center of controversy due to its strategic location and security conditions. Although the carrying of weapons and military uniforms is strictly prohibited in refreshment stands, such abuses are commonplace in some public places in the small East African nation, where uniformed police officers sometimes engage in violent behavior.

Law enforcement officers in Burundi, particularly those in police brigades, are regularly accused of abuse of power, violence, and corruption. The Bubanza incident is one of many examples of the impunity enjoyed by some police officers, who use their position to settle personal disputes or commit acts of violence. Indeed, many cases of physical assault, extortion, and abuse of power are reported by citizens, but few result in effective prosecutions. This climate of police violence breeds a sense of insecurity and frustration among the population, especially since the authorities are often slow to take action against such behavior.

The tragedy unfolded before the eyes of the Republican Guard, responsible for security at the palace, who intervened too late to prevent irreparable harm. Police officer Kirenge, in uniform and acting as a representative of law and order, killed an innocent worker in a public place. Although laws prohibit the presence of weapons in these establishments, they are often carried with impunity, exacerbating social tensions and endangering citizens’ lives.

The following day, April 30, 2025, the administrator of the Bubanza district announced the permanent closure of the « New Star » bistro for security reasons. The establishment belongs to the district, but was operated by tenants. This decision was made to avoid any threat to the security of the Bubanza presidential palace, emphasizing the need to protect sensitive sites from criminal behavior.

This incident sparked a furore in downtown Bubanza, where the old popular saying : « Uzomenya ko umugore ari rwawe mwaryamanye biciye mumategeko » (you’ll know you’ve won a girl’s heart on her wedding day) is now being cited.

This tragedy, given its violence and context, raises serious questions about the recurring abuses within law enforcement in the small East African nation. Despite existing laws, police officers, often perceived as untouchable, continue to act with impunity. In a country where corruption and police violence are widely documented phenomena, it is imperative that far-reaching reforms be undertaken to ensure that state agents are not above the law. The authorities must take strict measures to prevent such abuses and restore trust between law enforcement and the population.