On the morning of April 16, Bugaga’s vehicle was found parked in a palm plantation in Kivoga, near the Bujumbura–Bubanza road. His body was discovered in the front seat, with one leg hanging out through the left window.
Reports indicate that when people later accessed the scene, the body had been repositioned, placing Minister Bugaga in a seated position inside the vehicle in a way that would make it difficult for a casual observer to immediately realize he had died inside the car.
One of the first elements that raised suspicion was the absence of his security detail. In Burundi, a government official of his rank is normally accompanied by security personnel at all times, making their absence unusual.
A close friend of the late minister said that before his death, Bugaga had expressed fear, although he did not clearly explain what he was afraid of. The same friend said he had been planning to leave Burundi for Canada, but later changed his mind.
The friend, who is based in Europe, added that Bugaga had asked for assistance in preparing for relocation, saying, “One day before his death, he urged me to speed up the plan.”
Other accounts suggest that amid growing fears, Bugaga had consulted friends about the possibility of resigning, but they advised him against it, warning that it could create political tension with the government of President Évariste Ndayishimiye.
Human rights activist Pacifique Nininahazwe also questioned the official version of events. He stated that Bugaga’s Toyota Hilux was found in Kivoga without a rear license plate and that no visible signs of a nearby accident scene were present, raising questions about whether the incident actually occurred there.
He further noted unusual details, saying: “The first strange thing is that the car key was not inside the vehicle but was found in Gabby Bugaga’s bag. Did he drive without a key? Or did he park the car, remove the key, lie down, and place his leg out of the window while waiting for death?”
In an official statement, the Secretary-General and government spokesperson of Burundi, Jérôme Niyonzima, insisted that there is no doubt Bugaga died in a road accident and stated that no investigation is necessary.
However, the president of the Ligue Iteka human rights organization, Anschaire Nikoyagize, warned against rushing to conclusions. He called for an independent investigation to establish the truth.
Nikoyagize noted that since President Ndayishimiye came to power in June 2020, 2,248 bodies of people who died under unclear circumstances have been recorded in Burundi, suggesting that Bugaga’s death should also be thoroughly examined rather than automatically classified as an accident.
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