“We contributed our money, but it seems to have disappeared.”
This is the main complaint raised by rice farmers affiliated with the Regional Development Company of Imbo (SRDI) on Mpanda Hill, Village 5, Buringa Zone, Mpanda Commune, Bujumbura Province.
According to information gathered from the farmers, NSENGIYUMVA Mujos, who leads the farmers’ association in Village 5, collected money from residents in June 2025 for a project intended to install utility poles for public lighting in the village.
The farmers state that each household was required to contribute 70,000 Burundian francs (BIF). They were informed that the funds would be used to purchase poles for a lighting system aimed at improving security and providing illumination in the village at night.
However, more than a year after the collection of these contributions, residents report that no poles have been installed and that there is no visible evidence that the project has been implemented.
The farmers say they are particularly concerned because they have recently learned that NSENGIYUMVA Mujos is allegedly preparing to collect additional funds for the same project, despite the fact that the fate of the money already collected remains unexplained.
Residents are therefore calling for full transparency regarding the management of the funds collected in June 2025. They are demanding a detailed account of how the money was used and an explanation as to why the promised project has not been carried out.
Several local sources also claim that individuals who publicly question the management of these funds are subjected to intimidation and threats intended to discourage them from pursuing the matter further.
In light of these allegations, residents are urging the relevant administrative authorities and oversight bodies to conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether any mismanagement or misappropriation of community funds has occurred and, if so, to ensure that those responsible are held accountable in accordance with the law.
King Umurundi Freedom Organization calls on the competent authorities to ensure transparency in the management of community contributions, protect citizens who report alleged irregularities, and guarantee that anyone found responsible for financial misconduct is brought to justice.