The accident occurred in the early hours of August 18, 2026, in Kagese Cell, Nasho Sector.
SSP Twizeyimana Hamdun, Rwanda National Police spokesperson in the Eastern Province, told IGIHE that the crash involved a Coaster passenger vehicle.
He said two people died at the scene, while two others died on the way to hospital.
“We have not yet established the cause of the accident, but the driver said the vehicle lost its brakes. The area has a steep descent, so speed could have contributed to the crash,” SSP Twizeyimana said.
He urged motorists to avoid speeding, refrain from driving under the influence of alcohol and regularly check the roadworthiness of their vehicles.
SSP Twizeyimana also warned against driving while fatigued, saying tiredness has contributed to road crashes in recent days.
He further urged passengers to report dangerous driving and speak up when drivers engage in risky behaviour.
“Passengers should not overlook mistakes made on the road. If a driver is making mistakes while driving, they should inform the Police early so that action can be taken.
“Passengers can also tell the driver when they notice dangerous driving. This helps everyone look out for one another,” he said.
The 16 people injured in the crash are currently receiving treatment at different hospitals.
SSP Twizeyimana also warned against driving while fatigued, saying tiredness has contributed to road crashes in recent days.
Located in Musagara Village, Kanazi Cell, Nyamata Sector in Bugesera District, about 45 minutes from Kigali, the school grew out of an idea championed by members of the Ntare School Old Boys Association (NSOBA), alumni of Ntare School in Uganda. Among those associated with the school’s alumni community are Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Today, the school is seeking to build on that legacy with an education model that places students at the centre of the learning process.
From its library and creative studios to its makerspace, STEM-focused learning and student-led initiatives, Ntare Louisenlund offers an environment where students are encouraged to participate in shaping both their education and their community.
A tour of the campus offers an early glimpse of that approach. The library, for example, was created with students in mind and features books covering subjects ranging from business and nature to religion, fiction and different cultures. Students are also involved in creating and decorating spaces around the school.
One student points out a feature she helped design, while an art exhibition nearby displays works made from recycled materials, including used cups, bottles, bottle tops and cheesecloth.
At the school, creativity is not treated as an activity separate from learning, but as part of it.
On its 60-hectare campus in Bugesera, Ntare Louisenlund is building an education model centred on students and their individual potential.
Learning beyond the classroom
Damien Paul Vassallo, the Head of Ntare Louisenlund School, says the institution was established as an “innovative school of the future” with a mission to develop a new generation of leaders, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“We do that through a very practical, hands-on approach by giving students learning experiences that are relevant to them, that pique their interest, that inspire their curiosity,” Vassallo says.
That philosophy is visible in the school’s makerspace, where students work with wood and other materials to create practical products.
Design projects can involve building lamps, furniture, models and other objects, with students expected to present their finished work and be assessed on the final product. “It’s really about the fun and the making, and not just always learning through books and cramming stuff,” says Ariella Gatera Igihozo, a student at the school.
The school also puts considerable emphasis on giving students responsibility. It has eight houses, each with its own identity and values, including justice, unity, strength, innovation, creativity, generosity, kindness, warmth and courage.
The houses operate much like communities within the wider school, with students taking leadership positions and competing for points throughout the year. The top-performing house is recognised during an annual awards ceremony.
Student leadership extends beyond the house system. Students have been involved in creating some of the applications used by the school, including initiatives that make use of technology and artificial intelligence.
“It’s always about students being in charge,” she says.
For Grade Seven student Kami Kazit, the approach has helped her develop beyond the classroom. A member of the Revere house and originally from Uganda, she says she particularly enjoys art because it has given her a new way to express herself.
“They taught me a way to express myself through my artwork,” she says, adding that the school has also helped her become more confident when presenting before an audience.
The international character of the school is another part of its identity. Students from Rwanda and other countries live and learn together, participating in academic, sporting, artistic and service activities.
Residential life is structured around alternating A and B weeks, with activities ranging from Saturday classes and student-organised events to movie nights, swimming, tennis and religious services. The programme is designed to make boarding life part of the broader educational experience rather than simply an extension of the classroom.
From the library to the makerspace, Ntare Louisenlund’s campus is designed around student participation and creativity.
Personalised learning and mentorship at the core
At the centre of the school’s model, however, is personalization.
Vassallo argues that students should not all receive exactly the same educational programme because they have different interests, abilities and aspirations.
“One of the things that a learner-centered approach to education really should hone in on is personalization of learning,” he says.
Ntare Louisenlund therefore uses blended learning, combining educational technology with individualized learning. Students also meet their mentors for one-on-one sessions, where they discuss their goals, progress and challenges.
The mentoring approach continues into residential life through residential life coaches, who support students’ social and emotional development alongside their academic progress.
The school combines this model with what Vassallo calls an “IB + STEM” programme, bringing together the International Baccalaureate approach to education and a particular emphasis on STEM excellence.
Its ambitions extend beyond the current student body. The school is looking to establish partnerships with universities, including institutions in Germany, to create further opportunities for students after graduation. Its first cohort is expected to graduate in 2030.
Vassallo also sees a wider role for the school in Rwanda’s education sector. He wants Ntare Louisenlund to become a hub for educational innovation where teachers and other schools can exchange ideas, access professional development and learn from the school’s approach.
“When we’re at capacity, we will have nearly a thousand students at this school, but we’d like to have an impact on a million students or more,” he says.
Students explore hands-on learning and creative projects at Ntare Louisenlund School in Bugesera.Through STEM-focused learning and practical projects, students at Ntare Louisenlund are encouraged to solve problems creatively.Damien Paul Vassallo, Head of Ntare Louisenlund School, oversees an education model built around practical learning, student leadership and innovation.From the library to the makerspace, Ntare Louisenlund’s campus is designed around student participation and creativity.Students at Ntare Louisenlund balance classroom learning with other extracurricular activities.Personalised learning allows students at Ntare Louisenlund to pursue their interests, goals and individual strengths.Residential life at Ntare Louisenlund extends learning beyond the classroom through activities, mentorship and community life.Ntare Louisenlund’s campus brings together classrooms, creative spaces, sports facilities and residential areas in one setting.On its 60-hectare campus in Bugesera, Ntare Louisenlund is building an education model centred on students and their individual potential.Students from Rwanda and beyond learn, live and grow together at Ntare Louisenlund School.Students take an active role in shaping their learning experience at Ntare Louisenlund School.Students develop confidence through opportunities to create, lead, present and collaborate at Ntare Louisenlund School.Sports and extracurricular activities form an important part of student life at Ntare Louisenlund School.Creativity and practical learning come together in the makerspace at Ntare Louisenlund School.From sports fields and creative spaces to learning facilities, Ntare Louisenlund’s campus is designed to support life beyond the classroom.
Figures released by the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA) on August 14, 2026, show that Rwanda recorded 1,438 cranes in 2026, up from 487 counted in the first national census in 2017.
The latest figure represents an increase of 951 cranes, or 195%, meaning the population has nearly tripled in less than a decade.
RWCA began its conservation efforts in 2015 after finding that the number of cranes in the wild had fallen to fewer than 300. The organisation focused on stopping the illegal capture of the birds, including those taken from the wild and kept in homes, gardens and hotels, before being rescued and taken to appropriate care facilities.
In 2017, RWCA conducted Rwanda’s first national crane census, recording 487 birds. Since then, annual censuses have provided data on changes in the crane population and other information used to guide conservation efforts.
The population has continued to grow in recent years. In 2025, Rwanda had 1,245 cranes, meaning about 200 more were recorded in 2026 alone.
Rugezi wetland drives recovery
RWCA says Rugezi Wetland, which stretches across Burera and Gicumbi districts, has played a major role in the recovery of Rwanda’s crane population.
Only 71 cranes were recorded in Rugezi in 2017. By 2026, that number had risen to 378, an increase of 307 birds.
The wetland now accounts for more than a quarter of all cranes recorded in Rwanda.
The increase has been linked to efforts to restore and protect Rugezi Wetland, as well as collaboration with communities living around it to encourage their participation in environmental conservation.
RWCA has 75 wetland guardians working in Rugezi on a daily basis. They monitor the cranes, report illegal activities, help restore degraded parts of the wetland and work with local communities to reduce activities that could damage the ecosystem.
Despite the increase in numbers, RWCA says cranes remain classified as a threatened species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, meaning continued conservation efforts are needed to protect the population.
Because cranes can move across national borders, RWCA expanded its conservation efforts beyond Rwanda in 2025 by signing agreements with four organisations in Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda.
The agreements aim to strengthen protection of cranes across borders, particularly birds that have been observed moving from Rwanda into neighbouring countries.
Figures released by the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA) on August 14, 2026, show that Rwanda recorded 1,438 cranes in 2026, up from 487 counted in the first national census in 2017.
The incident occurred near Nyacyonga, on the outskirts of Kigali. Images and video from the scene showed the bus engulfed in flames, with thick smoke rising above the road as bystanders watched from a distance.
Passengers were able to evacuate the vehicle, and there were no reported fatalities.
Eyewitnesses said the fire completely destroyed the bus and the luggage carried by passengers. The cause of the blaze was not immediately established.
The Trinity Express bus was travelling towards Kigali from Uganda when the incident occurred.
The bus company had not issued a statement regarding the incident as of publication time.
BREAKING: A Trinity bus travelling from Uganda caught fire near Nyacyonga as it was approaching Kigali on Monday evening.
No deaths have been reported, but the bus was completely burnt, along with passengers’ luggage.
Bicaca Lakefront, a newly completed hotel in Bicaca Cell, Karenge Sector, provides visitors with accommodation, recreation and scenic views of the lake in a peaceful environment far from the noise of the city.
The hotel is located on the Rwamagana side of Lake Mugesera and is currently the only hotel in the area built directly along the lake.
Visitors travelling from Kigali pass through Rugende and take a 28-kilometre road towards Muyumbu and Nyakariro before reaching Karenge Sector. From there, road signs guide them to the lakefront facility.
A hotel built around nature
The first thing visitors notice when they arrive at Bicaca Lakefront is the natural environment surrounding the property.
Birds can be heard singing around the hotel, while trees, coffee plantations and greenery add to the beauty of the landscape.
The hotel has eight rooms, including a family unit, as well as an outdoor swimming pool overlooking Lake Mugesera.
Guests can also enjoy recreational activities such as billiards and table tennis. A short distance below the main hotel is a tented area where visitors can sit and enjoy views of the lake.
About 50 metres from the hotel, a green garden leads to another structure built over the water. The area provides an additional space for visitors to relax while watching the waters of Lake Mugesera.
The hotel also has facilities for water activities, adding another option for guests who want to explore the lake.
How a retired doctor turned his love for Mugesera into a hotel
The project was developed by Dr. Etienne Karita, a retired medical doctor who decided to venture into hospitality after developing an interest in the area.
Karita told IGIHE that his journey began in late 2018 when he visited someone in Karenge. During the visit, he took time to explore Lake Mugesera and was impressed by its natural beauty.
The experience encouraged him to look for land in the area. He eventually acquired 2.2 hectares and began planning a project that would combine agriculture and tourism.
“We started construction in 2023 and completed the work in 2025. The hotel itself occupies more than one hectare and has a main building with a bar, restaurant and games area, including billiards and table tennis,” Karita said.
The accommodation facilities are divided into four sections, each containing two large rooms. One of the sections was designed specifically for families and includes two bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room.
Karita said the hotel’s main advantage is the view.
“All the rooms face Lake Mugesera, meaning guests can lie in bed and look directly at the lake,” he said.
He added that the natural breeze from the lake and the quiet surroundings make the hotel suitable for visitors seeking relaxation.
Powered by the sun and supplied by its own farm
Bicaca Lakefront has also incorporated environmentally friendly practices into its operations.
The hotel relies entirely on solar energy for electricity, including lighting and refrigeration.
Karita said the hotel is also working to produce much of the food served to its guests.
“We use solar energy for 100 percent of our electricity. Another thing that makes us different is that much of the food we serve comes from our own farm,” he said.
The property produces vegetables, bananas and avocados, among other agricultural products.
Karita said the hotel is still in its early stages and is gradually expanding its services while training employees and improving the experience offered to guests.
Despite being newly opened, the hotel has already attracted Rwandan and international visitors.
According to Karita, some guests have returned after their first visit because of the quiet environment.
However, the hotel still faces challenges, particularly the condition of the road leading to the property and unreliable access to water.
Karita said he was surprised that Lake Mugesera has not attracted more investment in hospitality, considering its natural beauty and relatively safe environment.
He hopes the development of Bicaca Lakefront will contribute to putting the area on the tourism map.
The hotel currently employs 10 permanent workers, while efforts are underway to obtain additional permits and expand its services.
Karita said his long-term goal is to establish a facility where every visitor leaves satisfied, relaxed and willing to return.
Rwanda’s expanding hospitality industry
The development of Bicaca Lakefront comes at a time when Rwanda’s tourism and hospitality sector continues to expand.
The country now has 27,938 hotel rooms, compared with 16,158 five years ago. The rooms are distributed across 1,667 hotels offering accommodation services in different parts of the country.
Rwanda has nine five-star hotels, 22 four-star hotels and 66 three-star hotels.
The growth of the hospitality sector has been supported by rising tourism activity and increasing investment in accommodation facilities.
In 2025, Rwanda generated $685 million in tourism revenue, up from $647 million in 2024, representing a 6 percent increase.
The country received 1.49 million visitors in 2025, an increase of 9 percent compared with the previous year. Volcanoes National Park, known for its mountain gorillas, remains among the country’s major tourism attractions alongside other national parks.
Revenue from meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions also increased to $94.7 million in 2025 from $84.8 million in 2024, representing an 11 percent rise.
Rwanda hosted 165 regional, continental and international events during the year, bringing visitors who stayed in hotels across the country.
Under the second phase of the National Strategy for Transformation, Rwanda expects tourism revenues to reach $1.1 billion by 2029.
As the country works towards that target, new destinations such as Bicaca Lakefront are helping diversify Rwanda’s hospitality offering by opening up lesser-known areas and bringing visitors closer to the country’s natural landscapes.
Ping Pong enthusiasts are not left out at Bicaca LakefrontBicaca Lakefront features an outdoor Swimming PoolBicaca Lakefront is a new hotel on the shores of Lake MugeseraBicaca Lakefront Runs on Solar EnergyA Look Inside Bicaca LakefrontOne of the boats used at Bicaca LakefrontA Map Showing the Scenic Beauty of Lake MugeseraThe paths around Bicaca Lakefront are lined with treesThe main guest reception building at Bicaca Lakefront Bicaca Lakefront was built on a vast piece of landVisitors to Bicaca Lakefront can explore Lake Mugesera by boat.Guests staying at Bicaca Lakefront can enjoy a boat ride on Lake MugeseraGuests at Bicaca Lakefront enjoy stunning views of Lake Mugesera
Kinshasa has said it has been holding talks with the FDLR to persuade the group to lay down its weapons. However, the group has reportedly rejected proposals that would see its members return to Rwanda. The DRC has yet to disclose the name of the country that has agreed to receive them.
The decision to keep the country’s identity confidential has raised questions over which nation is prepared to accept members of a group that has been linked to a security crisis in the Great Lakes region for more than three decades.
The FDLR, which is deeply entrenched in eastern DRC, remains a major security concern for the Great Lakes region, including Rwanda. Its history is closely linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, in which more than one million people were killed over 100 days.
The group was established by former members of the former Rwandan Armed Forces (ex-FAR) and the Interahamwe militia who were involved in the genocide. Over the years, the FDLR has maintained an armed presence in eastern DRC and has been accused of propagating an ideology of hatred and violence.
The Washington Accords, signed in December 2025, called for the accelerated dismantling of the FDLR. The FDLR subsequently put forward a proposal for voluntary disarmament and demobilisation, which the Congolese government took up in its engagements with regional and international partners. Rwanda rejected the proposal, arguing that it was inconsistent with the commitments made under the Washington agreements.
Floribert Anzuluni, Congo’s minister responsible for regional cooperation, said talks with a country that could receive disarmed FDLR members had reached an advanced stage.
“One country has already given its consent,” Anzuluni told RFI, adding that Kinshasa would announce the country’s identity publicly soon.
Under the DRC’s proposal, FDLR members would first surrender their weapons. Those willing to return to Rwanda would be repatriated, while those unwilling or unable to return would be given the option of relocating to one or more other countries.
But any country considering accepting FDLR members would need to conduct thorough background checks and carefully assess the implications of their admission.
The FDLR is not simply a group of refugees seeking a place to settle. Its history is inseparable from the role played by some of its members in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The group’s activities have also had consequences beyond its strongholds in eastern DRC. The region has served as a base from which the FDLR has recruited fighters and conducted operations. The group has also been accused of involvement in the conflict between the Congolese army, FARDC, and the AFC/M23, as well as attacks affecting civilians.
A UN Security Council assessment has attributed serious violations of international law to the FDLR, including killings, injuries, sexual violence and forced displacement. Women and children have been among those affected.
Rwanda has consistently argued that an armed group associated with genocide ideology should not be treated as a legitimate political interlocutor or given a platform for negotiations.
For any country considering accepting FDLR members, the central question is whether relocation would contribute to dismantling the group’s armed structures and ideology, or simply provide it with a new environment in which to operate.
If the receiving country is genuinely committed to supporting peace and stability, accepting disarmed FDLR members should not substitute for efforts to dismantle the group’s military and organisational structures and address the ideology that has sustained it.
The relocation of FDLR members could either form part of a broader effort to resolve a security crisis that has persisted for more than 30 years, or simply change the location and nature of the problem. The country that ultimately accepts them will therefore face an important question: whether it is prepared to assume responsibility for the consequences.
How large is the FDLR?
A July 2026 report by UN experts presents conflicting estimates of the FDLR’s strength.
The FDLR itself claims to have more than 10,000 fighters, nearly half of whom it says are engaged in regular military activities. The FDLR-CRAP faction has separately claimed to have more than 20,000 fighters.
The UN report, however, says those figures are not considered reliable. UN officials and intelligence agencies estimate that the FDLR has between 3,500 and 4,500 fighters.
The Washington Accords put the group’s strength at between 3,000 and 3,500 fighters.
The disparity between the group’s own claims and external estimates underscores the difficulty of establishing the FDLR’s exact military strength, and the challenge facing any effort to disarm, dismantle and relocate its members.
The FDLR militia was established by members of the former Rwandan Armed Forces (ex-FAR)and the Interahamwe militia who were involved in the genocide.
The agreement will make matches from Rwanda’s top division available on Hudl Wyscout, a platform used by scouts, coaches and football professionals for video analysis, player assessment and recruitment.
The partnership announced on Monday, August 17, gives Rwandan clubs and players another avenue for international exposure, while introducing video and performance-analysis tools for technical teams within the league.
“The platform will also provide our technical personnel with detailed video and performance data, helping coaches, analysts and sporting departments make more informed, evidence-based decisions,” said Jules Karangwa, CEO of the Rwanda Premier League.
Rwanda national team head coach Stephen Constantine welcomed the introduction of the platform, pointing to its potential to increase the visibility of local talent.
“Rwanda is rich with untapped talent, and these young athletes deserve to be seen. With this technology, their skills can reach a wider audience, opening doors to opportunities that were previously out of reach,” Constantine said.
Mateo Bourrut Lacouture, Strategic Partnership Manager at Hudl, said the multi-year agreement forms part of the Rwanda Premier League’s wider efforts to use technology and data to improve clubs, support player development and raise the profile of Rwandan football internationally.
The partnership gives the BK Pro League a new connection to the international scouting market, potentially making Rwandan players and clubs more visible to football professionals beyond the country.
The partnership announced on Monday, August 17, gives Rwandan clubs and players another avenue for international exposure, while introducing video and performance-analysis tools for technical teams within the league.
Researchers from the University of Jyväskylä followed children for eight years and found that those who spent more time using screens tended to perform better in tests of cognitive processing during adolescence.
The findings challenge the common belief that screen time is always harmful to children. However, researchers say the results should not be interpreted as a reason for children to spend unlimited time on phones, computers or other digital devices.
Instead, they suggest that what children do during screen time may be more important than the amount of time they spend in front of a screen.
The study was based on the PANIC study, which has followed children’s physical activity and nutrition over several years.
Researchers examined 260 young people, including 124 girls and 136 boys, who had an average age of 15.8 years.
They looked at screen use, physical activity and sedentary behaviour from childhood into adolescence.
The teenagers’ learning, attention and working memory were assessed using the CogState test battery.
The results showed that greater screen time beginning in childhood was associated with better cognitive processing during adolescence.
Petri Jalanko, a doctoral researcher at the University of Jyväskylä, said the findings suggest parents and teachers should encourage children to use digital devices for activities that involve active thinking, problem-solving, creativity and learning.
“We should not regard screen time solely as harmful but seek balance between physical activity and screen time that promotes active thinking,” Jalanko said.
The researchers also found that the relationship between physical activity and cognitive performance was more complicated.
Among girls, higher levels of light physical activity from childhood were associated with better working memory during adolescence. Among boys, participation in guided physical activities was linked to better working memory.
However, the researchers did not find a clear connection between physical activity and cognitive performance when activity was measured using devices that tracked movement and heart rate.
The researchers said the differences could partly be explained by the type of activity and how it was measured.
They also stressed that the study does not prove that screen time directly causes better cognitive performance.
More research, including intervention studies, is needed to establish whether there is a cause-and-effect relationship.
More childhood screen time has been associated with better thinking skills in teens.
The survey, conducted by the International Budget Partnership and launched in Rwanda by Transparency International Rwanda (TI-Rwanda), assessed 82 countries on budget transparency, public participation and oversight.
Rwanda scored 55 out of 100 for budget transparency, up from 50 in 2023 and 45 in 2021. Kenya ranked first in East Africa with 56 points.
Rwanda ranked sixth in Sub-Saharan Africa and recorded a notable improvement in public participation, with its score rising from 16 in 2023 to 26 in 2025. However, this remains the country’s weakest area.
Budget oversight improved from 56 to 61 points. Legislative oversight increased from 44 to 47, while audit oversight rose sharply from 78 to 89, making it one of the strongest areas of progress.
The survey, however, identified continued challenges in the timely publication, completeness and accessibility of budget information.
TI-Rwanda Executive Director Apollinaire Mupiganyi said the findings show continued progress while underscoring the need to ensure that budget information is timely, comprehensive and accessible, alongside stronger opportunities for citizens to participate in budget processes.
“The improvement recorded in the OBS 2025 demonstrates that Rwanda has continued to strengthen its budget accountability systems. At the same time, the findings remind us that progress should go beyond producing budget documents to ensuring that information is published on time, is comprehensive and accessible, and that citizens have meaningful opportunities to participate and see how their contributions are considered. Strengthening these areas will be important for translating budget transparency into greater accountability and more responsive public services,” he said.
Globally, budget transparency averaged 47 points, while public participation averaged 18.
Legislative and audit oversight averaged 45 and 60 points respectively. Public participation remained the weakest pillar worldwide despite a modest improvement from previous years.
Rwanda has ranked second in East Africa in budget transparency
Makolo made the remarks on Sunday, August 16, 2026, in response to DRC Government Spokesperson and Minister of Communication and Media Patrick Muyaya, who accused Rwanda of using the massacre for political purposes.
In a post on X, Makolo blamed Muyaya for continuing to “twist a day of remembrance for the victims of the Gatumba massacre into another platform for anti-Rwanda propaganda.” “The Banyamulenge who were slaughtered in 2004 by DRC’s Burundian allies were Congolese,” Makolo said.
She said the memory of the victims should not be used as a political tool by Kinshasa or as a basis for what she called “selective outrage” while the FDLR and other groups continue to operate in the DRC.
“Their memory is not Kinshasa’s political tool, nor is it an invitation for selective outrage while the Kinshasa-sponsored FDLR and other genocidal remnants still operate with impunity on DRC soil, in violation of the Washington Peace Agreement,” she wrote.
Makolo further accused Kinshasa of deliberately diverting attention from what Rwanda considers the underlying causes of insecurity in eastern DRC.
“Deliberately obscuring/distracting from the real sources of insecurity in eastern DRC is the core of ‘instrumentalisation’,” she said. Muyaya had said the Banyamulenge are Congolese rather than Rwandans living in Congo and accused Rwanda of using the Gatumba massacre to advance its political agenda. Rwanda has repeatedly denied accusations that it is responsible for insecurity in eastern DRC.
The Gatumba massacre occurred on August 13, 2004, at a refugee camp near Burundi’s border with the DRC. More than 150 Congolese refugees, most of them Banyamulenge, were killed, while more than 100 others were injured.
The attack was attributed to fighters from Burundi’s FNL, a predominantly Hutu rebel movement. The victims were largely Banyamulenge, a Congolese community commonly associated with the Tutsi population of eastern DRC.
The FNL initially claimed responsibility for the attack, although one of its former leaders later denied that the group had issued such a statement.
Burundi’s role in the events has also been questioned beyond the fact that the massacre occurred on its territory. Investigations reported that Burundian soldiers and police did not intervene even though the killings were taking place only metres from their military installations.
In the DRC, allegations also emerged after the massacre that some Congolese Mai-Mai fighters may have been involved in the attack. Kinshasa was urged to conduct a thorough investigation into the possible involvement of its nationals, particularly individuals who may have been serving in the national armed forces.
The massacre has remained a subject of calls for accountability, with survivors and relatives of victims renewing efforts to pursue justice in recent years.
In 2024, survivors and relatives of those killed renewed efforts to seek justice, filing complaints against individuals suspected of involvement in the massacre. Information relating to the cases was also submitted to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Rwanda Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo has criticized the DRC for using the Gatumba massacre against the Banyamulenge to target Rwanda.
