Where is justice?
King Umurundi Freedom has learned with deep outrage of the killing of NIYONZIMA Annociate, a young woman who was approximately eight months pregnant. Local residents have condemned the brutal crime and are questioning why all those allegedly involved have not yet been brought to justice.
Why have all those suspected of involvement in this murder not been apprehended? Why does the investigation appear to be stalled? Where is justice?
According to information gathered by our organization, NIYONZIMA Annociate, aged 26, was originally from Nyamugari Hill, Kiganda Commune (formerly Muramvya Province). She had been living on Gitohera Hill, Gihotera Zone, Murwi Commune, in the former Cibitoke Province (now part of Bujumbura Province), where she had settled.
After separating from the father of her first two children, she reportedly entered into a new relationship and was approximately eight months pregnant with her third child. According to several local residents interviewed by our organization, some members of the man’s family had allegedly shown hostility towards her and threatened that she would not be allowed to give birth to the child.
Fatally attacked with a hammer
On the evening of Sunday, June 21, 2026, Annociate reportedly received a phone call from the mobile phone of the man believed to be the father of her unborn child, asking her to meet him.
While on her way to the meeting, she was allegedly intercepted by three men. According to the information collected, they brutally struck her on the head with a hammer, killing her. Her body was then reportedly thrown into a ravine, where it was discovered the following day.
Initially, the Cibitoke Prosecutor reportedly ordered that the burial be suspended and requested that the mother’s body be separated from the unborn child before the burial, given the advanced stage of her pregnancy. However, this directive was ultimately not carried out, and she was buried on June 23, 2026.
Subsequent information indicated that one of the alleged perpetrators was the brother of the man believed to have fathered the unborn child. He reportedly fled and has not been arrested. The child’s alleged father was reportedly taken into custody, but local residents fear he could be released, claiming that those handling the case have delayed the judicial process instead of promptly bringing him before the courts.
Residents continue to express deep anger and are calling on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, identify and arrest all those responsible for the murder, and ensure that they are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
King Umurundi Freedom extends its sincere condolences to the family of NIYONZIMA Annociate and calls on the judicial authorities to conduct an independent, impartial, and thorough investigation so that justice is delivered for both the victim and her unborn child.