A bankrupt public institution plagued by corruption continues to receive billions in funding—a true scandal for the national treasury.
The Burundian government plans to inject 18.8 billion Burundian Francs (FBu) into the Public Transport Office (OTRACO) for the acquisition of 30 new buses, including 10 electric ones. This budget line, included in the 2025–2026 revised national budget, has sparked strong concern within the National Assembly.
During the plenary session held on December 24, 2025, Finance Minister Alain NDIKUMANA defended the spending, citing a desire to modernize urban transport and pilot electric buses as a strategy to reduce long-term energy costs.
🔶 Growing concerns raised by MPs
Lawmakers questioned the economic viability and governance of OTRACO. Many expressed doubt over the relevance of investing in a loss-making public company that should, in principle, be generating revenue through public transportation operations. Especially considering OTRACO recently received over 100 vehicles as a donation from the Japanese government.
MP Joachim BARUTWANAYO voiced his concerns:
“I see that helping citizens with mobility by purchasing vehicles for OTRACO is a good initiative. But OTRACO itself generates nothing! What happened to the vehicles donated by Japan? Are they not generating any income? And when these 30 buses break down, will you inject more funds again?”
In response, the Minister acknowledged the lack of financial transparency within OTRACO and announced that the management of the 30 new buses would be tracked separately to assess their actual profitability:
“We too, within the government, are questioning OTRACO’s poor performance, despite the many donations it has received. This time, we will be vigilant: a separate accounting system will be established for these 30 vehicles,” said Alain NDIKUMANA.
⚠️ A morally and financially bankrupt public enterprise.
At King Umurundi Freedom, we have published several investigations into OTRACO, exposing opaque and predatory management practices: a dilapidated vehicle fleet, out-of-service buses, massive revenue embezzlement, and a complete blurring of lines between public assets and the private interests of its leaders.
We have called for an independent investigation—without success. And now the government is choosing to inject a colossal amount of funds, with no prior conditions.
This unconditional funding, granted without any demand for reform or thorough audit, raises serious concerns about the country’s fiscal sustainability and the sincerity of the fight against corruption. Allocating more than 18 billion FBu to such a compromised structure, without guarantees of transparency or accountability, is equivalent to endorsing economic impunity.
The government should not proceed with such an investment until full clarity is provided regarding OTRACO’s current management.
King Umurundi Freedom demands an independent investigation so that misappropriated funds are returned to the public treasury and those responsible are held accountable before the law.