Challenge to the Detention of Ms. KABAHIZI Jeanine and Request for Judicial Intervention
Citizens have denounced the detention of Ms. KABAHIZI Jeanine, a resident of Karambo Hill, Busoni Commune, Butanyerera Province. They consider the detention to be unjustified in connection with a dispute between her and the microfinance institution UCODE – Union pour la Coopération et le Développement.
According to the information gathered, Ms. KABAHIZI Jeanine had obtained a loan of 25 million Burundian francs from UCODE to finance her agricultural activities. As security for this loan, she allegedly mortgaged three of her properties located in Busoni, the relevant land documents reportedly remaining in UCODE’s possession.
Previously, Ms. KABAHIZI Jeanine also had an outstanding debt with COOPEC, secured by a mortgage on a house. Subsequently, wishing to expand her agricultural activities in the former province of Cankuzo, she reportedly decided, with the agreement of her family, to sell this house in order to raise additional funds.
The house that was sold had been pledged as security for her obligation to COOPEC and was separate from the three properties pledged as security to UCODE. The sale reportedly generated approximately 17 million Burundian francs, of which nearly 3 million francs were allegedly used to settle the remaining amount owed to COOPEC.
After learning of this transaction, UCODE allegedly caused Ms. KABAHIZI Jeanine to be arrested on August 10, 2026, reportedly accusing her of having sold a property and settled her debt with COOPEC without making repayment on the loan contracted with UCODE.
Ms. KABAHIZI reportedly explained to UCODE that she intended to continue repaying her loan in accordance with the agreed terms and that the guarantees provided to the institution remained intact. She reportedly pointed out that the house she sold was not one of the properties mortgaged to UCODE and that the documents relating to the three properties remained in UCODE’s possession.
UCODE’s Position
Following reports concerning this detention, the organization King Umurundi Freedom contacted UCODE’s management in order to obtain its position on the matter.
UCODE officials confirmed that they knew Ms. KABAHIZI Jeanine and acknowledged that they had initiated the process that led to her arrest. They also confirmed that she had obtained a loan from their institution and that UCODE was in possession of the documents relating to the properties provided as security.
When asked about the reasons for the detention, given that the properties pledged as security to UCODE had reportedly not been sold, the institution’s representatives stated that they did not understand why Ms. KABAHIZI had sold her house and repaid COOPEC as a priority without repaying UCODE.
They further indicated that the matter had already been brought before the competent courts and stated that they did not understand the actions being taken in support of the detained woman.
Position of King Umurundi Freedom
For its part, the legal team of King Umurundi Freedom considers that Ms. KABAHIZI Jeanine’s situation warrants careful examination by the competent judicial and administrative authorities.
Our organization questions, in particular, the legal basis for her detention, given that, according to the information gathered, the three properties pledged as security to UCODE had allegedly neither been sold nor transferred and that the relevant documents remained in the institution’s possession.
It is also important to clearly distinguish between the house sold to settle the debt contracted with COOPEC and the properties mortgaged to UCODE.
The mere existence of a debt cannot, by itself, establish that a criminal offence has been committed. The allegations against Ms. KABAHIZI must be established, and their legal characterization must be determined by the competent judicial authorities, with full respect for fundamental procedural guarantees.
A citizen who has obtained credit from a financial institution generally retains the right to dispose of property that is not subject to a mortgage or other legal or contractual restriction securing that particular debt, subject to the obligations and restrictions provided for by law and by the relevant agreements. In the present case, according to the information available to us, Ms. KABAHIZI sold a property that had been pledged as security to COOPEC, while the three properties pledged to UCODE allegedly remained intact.
Call to the Competent Authorities
In light of these circumstances, King Umurundi Freedom calls upon the competent judicial authorities to conduct an impartial, independent and thorough examination of the situation of Ms. KABAHIZI Jeanine.
We therefore urge the competent authorities to give particular attention to this case and, if there is no legal basis for maintaining Ms. KABAHIZI Jeanine in detention, to take the necessary measures to secure her release.
Our organization does not seek to prejudge the outcome of the proceedings or to substitute itself for the competent courts. We simply call for the facts to be established objectively and for the law to be applied in full respect for the fundamental rights of all parties concerned.