Félix Nsabimana, a 43-year-old demobilized soldier and father of six, died on 15 October 2026 following a grenade explosion. The incident occurred on the Rweza hill, located in the Gishubi commune of Gitega province, Burundi.
The event took place within the specific administrative boundaries of the Gishubi commune, situated in Gitega province, Burundi. Rweza hill serves as the precise location where the fatal detonation was reported to local authorities.
Romain Runyegeri, the chef de la colline de Rweza, stated, "Les causes de l’explosion ne sont pas encore connues." Addressing the local population regarding the presence of military equipment, Runyegeri added, "Les personnes qui détiennent encore des armes à leur domicile à les remettre aux corps de défense et de sécurité."
Investigation Into Fatal Explosion
Police officers conducted a search of the residence belonging to Félix Nsabimana after the fatal explosion occurred. The investigation focused on the immediate vicinity of the property where the explosion took place on Rweza hill, which is in the Gishubi commune.
During this inspection, authorities discovered a second grenade that had not detonated. The presence of this unexploded ordnance prompted further scrutiny of the premises by the responding officers. In addition to the unexploded grenade, officers also recovered a pair of military shoes at the scene. These items were documented by the police as part of their ongoing inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Félix Nsabimana.
The discovery of the military equipment at the residence follows the initial report of the explosion on Rweza hill. Police officers have maintained their focus on the Gishubi commune as they continue to process the evidence gathered from the home of the deceased.
Family members and neighbors held the burial for Félix Nsabimana on 15 October 2026. The funeral took place in the Gishubi commune following the incident on the Rweza hill.
The burial ceremony was attended by members of the community who gathered in Gishubi commune to pay their respects to the family of Félix Nsabimana. The interment occurred on the same day as the explosion, 15 October 2026. This final arrangement followed the completion of the initial police search of the property where the military shoes and the unexploded grenade were found.
The local authorities in Gitega province have been informed of the burial proceedings. Romain Runyegeri, acting in his capacity as the chef de la colline de Rweza, monitored the situation as the community processed the loss of the demobilized soldier. The investigation into the incident remains active as officials continue to examine the items recovered from the residence of Félix Nsabimana. The community in Gishubi commune remains under the guidance of local leaders like Romain Runyegeri, who continue to emphasize the importance of surrendering military equipment to the appropriate defense and security bodies to prevent future incidents of this nature on Rweza hill.