The Burundian League for Human Rights “ITEKA” presents its weekly bulletin, “ITEKA N’IJAMBO” No. 550, covering the period from October 26 to November 1, 2026. This issue highlights several concerns regarding the human rights situation in Burundi, including violations of the right to life and physical integrity, governance challenges, restricted access to essential services, and the vulnerabilities faced by certain segments of the population.
Politically, the period was marked by the partial registration of voters in preparation for the presidential election on May 3, 2027. In Rumonge, local sources reported that students some allegedly born in 2008 and 2009 were taken to registration centers, and that classes were suspended at certain schools to facilitate their enrollment. In Kayanza, the president of the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI), Prosper Ntahorwamiye, accompanied by fellow commissioners, conducted a field visit on October 28, 2026, to investigate the low number of new voters registered across several local administrative units.
Regarding governance, difficulties related to the distribution of agricultural fertilizers continued to fuel discontent among farmers in several communes. In some localities, the quantities distributed were less than what had been paid for, while other farmers were still awaiting refunds for fertilizers that were never delivered. These tensions led, among other incidents, to the blocking of National Road No. 1 in Matongo for approximately two hours, as well as the blocking of the Rutana–Gihofi–Muzye road in Kabanga. Furthermore, merchants and households in Rumonge have been compelled to contribute to the funding of the CNDDFDD party office. Some residents have even been denied access to public water taps for failing
to pay this contribution, raising serious concerns regarding the voluntary nature of such contributions and the right to water.
In Karusi, a warehouse worker for the company FOMI and two administrative officials have been implicated in a case involving the alleged disappearance of 40 bags of fertilizer, each weighing 25 kg. In the same commune, a police operation led to the seizure of approximately 1,000 liters of gasoline at the home of a taxi driver. In Bubanza, five instances of theft were reported over the course of the week in the Kanabuba sub-hill area alone, affecting private homes and the belongings of residents.
Violations of the right to life and physical integrity also remain a major cause for concern. The report documents five persons killed: a hairdresser in Mwaro; a man shot and killed by a soldier in Bukinanyana; and the discovery of three lifeless bodies in Rutana and Gishubi. It also notes that a man was seriously wounded by gunfire from a soldier in Kaburantwa, and that a 10-year-old girl suffered burns to her hands inflicted by her maternal aunt and guardian in Nyabihanga. These incidents raise questions regarding the protection of life, the use of force by security personnel, and the prevention of violence against children within families. Additionally, two individuals including a minor have gone missing under unclear circumstances in the communes of Rutana and Musongati , Rutana Province, leaving their families deeply anxious about their safety. The situation of vulnerable individuals and populations affected by disasters remains concerning. In Butezi, within the Ruyigi commune, torrential rains accompanied by high winds destroyed approximately 33 houses and damaged several crop fields. At the Busuma refugee camp for Congolese nationals, severe weather affected 510 tents, leaving about 2,000 people homeless. The damage also extended to sanitation facilities, water supplies, food stocks, and infrastructure used for remedial education activities, with nearly 800 children potentially affected.
In the realm of economic, social, and cultural rights, difficulties in accessing essential services persist. In the communes of Muhanga and Kiremba, in Butanyerera Province, a shortage of Page desks, teachers, and latrines is compromising the learning conditions for students. Furthermore, the communes of Muramvya and Kiganda experienced four consecutive days without electricity, which paralyzed certain commercial activities and disrupted hospital services most notably the operation of morgues and incubators.
Through this 550th issue of its weekly bulletin, the Iteka League aims to bring these matters to the attention of the competent authorities, national and international partners, and the general public. It underscores the necessity of preventing human rights violations, ensuring equitable access to essential services, and protecting vulnerable individuals. Thorough documentation, the search for truth, and the fight against impunity remain essential for strengthening the rule of law and respecting human dignity in Burundi. Read more