The Strength of the Imbonerakure or the Weakness of State Authority?
“Who really holds authority: the Zone Chief or the Provincial Governor?” This is the question many residents are asking after witnessing an official decision by the Provincial Governor remain unenforced.
The official concerned is NIYONGABO Dieudonnée, the former Zone Chief of Rugabano in Muyinga Commune, Buhumuza Province. According to several sources, he is also regarded as an influential member of the Imbonerakure.
According to an official letter dated June 23, 2026, signed by the Provincial Governor, Denise Ndaruhekere, NIYONGABO Dieudonnée was formally dismissed from his position. The document, however, does not specify the reasons for his removal, stating only that the decision followed recommendations made during a meeting of the Communal Council held on June 21, 2026.
According to information gathered by the organization King Umurundi Freedom, the dismissal stems from allegations of serious misconduct and abuse of office. Among the accusations against him are:
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illegally imposing fines on residents without issuing official receipts and allegedly pocketing the money collected;
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reportedly selling state-owned land to private individuals in exchange for payments;
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ordering local hill leaders to ensure that, whenever he visited their communities, residents provided him with at least two goats and several chickens, a practice that reportedly generated widespread resentment among the population.
Following these allegations, the Communal Council decided to remove him from office during its meeting of June 21, 2026. The decision was officially endorsed two days later by the Provincial Governor.
Refusal to Comply
Despite his official dismissal, NIYONGABO Dieudonnée has reportedly refused to vacate his office. According to several witnesses, he has vowed that no one else will take over the administration of the zone.
Residents say he has repeatedly declared:
“I am a true Imbonerakure. Who has the authority to dismiss me?”
To date, he is reportedly still exercising the functions of Zone Chief, preventing his officially appointed successor from assuming office.
The situation has created growing uncertainty among the residents of Rugabano, who now find themselves without a clearly recognized local authority to address their administrative concerns. Many are questioning the effectiveness of decisions issued by provincial authorities and wondering how a dismissed Zone Chief can continue to exercise power despite a formal order signed by the Provincial Governor.
Residents are therefore calling on the competent authorities to enforce the dismissal order without further delay and to ensure that the zone is placed under the leadership of the duly appointed official.