As reported yesterday ( 🔴 URGENT ALERT: Serious Assault on a National Police Officer by Imbonerakure in Mutambara – KUF-ASBL ), a serious incident occurred last night on Mutambara Hill, Gatete Zone, Rumonge Commune, Burunga Province. Imbonerakure violently attacked a national police officer, reportedly attempting to kill him and breaking his nose in the process.
🔶 Who is the assaulted officer and why?
The officer is HAMENYIMANA Eric, also known as Dogodogo, aged 26. He is originally from Mutambara Hill but works at the Giheta police commissariat in Gitega Province.
According to information collected, the officer was on leave for one week and had returned to Mutambara to address ongoing family disputes related to a marital matter.
In summary, HAMENYIMANA Eric previously had a child with a woman, whom he currently raises. This woman had another child from a prior relationship and had registered both children at the commune under the officer’s name without his consent. The officer refused, stating that he would only take responsibility for the child they had together. This situation created a persistent conflict between them.
Later, in November 2025, the officer legally married another woman. However, tensions continued, as some Imbonerakure demanded that he take responsibility for both women as spouses, which he refused, while still agreeing to support the mother of his first child.
The case was then brought before the justice system. On 15/12/2025, hearings began at the Rumonge tribunal. On 16/12/2025, the court ruled that the officer should rent a house for his former partner and provide food support (ration) for their child, ensuring the child’s well-being. The officer accepted the ruling, stating he had already been doing so.
After the hearing, everyone returned home. However, later that night, around 11:00 p.m., a group of Imbonerakure arrived at HAMENYIMANA Eric’s home, forced him outside, and violently assaulted him, demanding that he bring his first partner to live in the same house.
The Imbonerakure were led by the local hill chief, MASABO Réverien. Identified members included NDAYIRAGIJE Charles (alias Karori), MASANJA Appolinaire, and another known as Elysé.
The officer was brutally beaten, receiving heavy blows to the face and struck with a metal chain, causing severe bleeding from the nose and mouth. A national military officer attempted to intervene but was also assaulted by the Imbonerakure.
Alerted by the commotion, local residents contacted the police. Officers from the Rumonge commissariat quickly arrived, but most of the attackers fled. Only one Imbonerakure was arrested and placed in detention.
The officer remains in critical condition. Radiological exams confirmed a fractured nasal bone, requiring transfer to a specialized medical facility for proper treatment, according to doctors at Rumonge Regional Hospital.
Residents are demanding that all Imbonerakure involved in this assault be arrested and severely punished, highlighting that this is not the first violent incident in the area and that impunity encourages repeated abuses.
Our organization strongly condemns these acts and denounces the persistent impunity, calling on the relevant authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice to put an end to repeated abuses against citizens.