Three police officers attached to Nyabwishenya Police Station and two civilians in Nyabwishenya Sub-county, Kisoro District, have been arrested over the alleged secret burial of a Congolese national who reportedly died while in police custody.
The suspects, currently detained at Kisoro Central Police Station, are Corporal Wickliffe Musabimana, the officer in charge of Nyabwishenya Police Station, Police Constables Apeti Kizito and Moris Yebuze, together with civilians John Bosco Nsabimana and Mpunuseni Hakuzimana.
The case revolves around the death of a 30-year-old Congolese national identified only as Uwimana, a resident of Bwisha Chiefdom in Rutshuru Territory, North Kivu Province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to preliminary reports, Uwimana was on the evening of May 6, 2026, drinking alcohol with a group of people led by Nsabimana and Hakuzimana on the Ugandan side of the border. During the gathering, the group allegedly accused him of threatening violence.
The matter was later reported to Nyabwishenya Police Station, where Uwimana was arrested and detained. However, reports indicate that during the arrest, he was allegedly assaulted by both civilians and police officers.
On the morning of May 7, 2026, Uwimana was reportedly found dead inside the police cells. Police investigations indicate that instead of informing their superiors about the death, the officers allegedly connived with the civilians to secretly remove the body from custody and bury it at night on land belonging to outgoing Bufumbira North Member of Parliament, John Ninzeyimana Kamara.
Suspicion started growing after Uwimana’s relatives followed up his arrest at the police station hoping to secure his release, only to be informed that he had already been freed. Unsatisfied with the explanation, the relatives and other Congolese nationals continued searching for him.
On May 8, 2026, a group of Congolese nationals reportedly crossed into Uganda and confronted the suspects, demanding to know Uwimana’s whereabouts. Police officers at Nyabwishenya Police Station managed to calm the situation, although the incident was allegedly not reported to senior authorities.
The matter later attracted the attention of Busanza Border Internal Security Officer Sowed Kyaise, who received intelligence reports indicating that Congolese nationals were planning to attack Nyabwishenya Police Station. He immediately alerted district security authorities.
Kigezi Region Police spokesperson Elly Maate says security officers who responded to the matter found the allegations serious and immediately ordered the arrest of the suspects.
Maate confirmed that the grave where Uwimana was allegedly buried has already been identified and arrangements are underway to exhume the body for a postmortem examination.
He condemned the incident, saying investigations are aimed at establishing why the officers allegedly acted outside established police procedures.
Maate added that after the postmortem examination, Uwimana’s body will be handed over to relatives for repatriation to the Democratic Republic of Congo for a dignified burial.
