KIRUNDO/MPANDA/NGOZI/MUYINGA/GITEGA, April 8 (ABP) – Commemoration ceremonies marking the 32nd anniversary of the assassination of Burundian president Cyprien Ntaryamira were held on April 6, 2026, in various communes across the country.
In the commune of Kirundo (Butanyerera Province), the ceremonies began with a mass celebrated at Kanyinya parish.
They then continued at the Independence monument, where a large crowd made up of civil servants, private sector workers, and the general population gathered. They listened to a speech by President Ntaryamira, in which he gave advice on discipline at work.
The administrator of Kirundo, Mr. Jean Berchmans Ndikuriyo, urged the people to follow the legacy of President Ntaryamira, calling on them to maintain discipline in all circumstances, as, according to him, this is the only path to success for the country.
He also addressed those who violate existing laws, particularly those who do not respect state-set prices, urging them to remain cautious to avoid sanctions. He recalled that owners of houses bordering the paved road in the urban center of Kirundo must carry out paving work to ensure the city’s cleanliness, while inviting all households in the commune to maintain cleanliness in their localities, starting with their own homes.
Wreaths were also laid by the administration, the justice sector, representatives of law enforcement, and various legally recognized political parties.
In the commune of Ngozi, activities began with a mass at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral of Ngozi. In his homily, parish priest Abbé Emmanuel Nzeyimana stated that this was a good opportunity to pray that the noble projects of this leader be continued by the current authorities of the country.
He stressed that Burundi needs upright leaders committed to truth and transparency in order to strengthen justice, peace, and social cohesion, while also fighting corruption. The ceremonies continued in front of the Ngozi communal office with the listening of a speech by President Cyprien Ntaryamira focused on strengthening discipline in various sectors of the country.
Speaking, the chief of staff to the governor of Butanyerera province, Alain Patrick Muheto, called on participants to preserve peace and security, recalling that without them, no development is possible.
He urged everyone, in their respective fields, to fully assume their responsibilities, while emphasizing the role of families in the country’s development, noting that when households prosper, the entire nation progresses.
Moreover, as the commune is currently hosting Burundians repatriated from Tanzania, he encouraged the people to give them a warm welcome to facilitate their reintegration into their property in a climate of peace and security.
In the commune of Mpanda (Bujumbura), the ceremonies were attended by the communal administrator, Léopold Ndayisaba. Only two wreaths were laid at the monument of the late President Cyprien Ntaryamira, namely those of the communal administration and the political party CNDD-FDD.
In his speech, Administrator Ndayisaba called on residents of the commune to remain worthy heirs of President Ntaryamira, particularly in terms of discipline, starting with administrative officials. He also encouraged fraternity, good coexistence, and mutual assistance. It should be noted that flags at communal offices were flown at half-mast.
In the commune of Muyinga (Buhumuza Province), activities began with a mass at Notre Dame de Lourdes cathedral of Muyinga. Joachim Ntahondereye, bishop of the Catholic diocese of Muyinga, invited Christians to pray for the deceased, starting with Cyprien Ntaryamira, whose passing was being commemorated. He recalled that Jesus is alive and the source of life, inviting the faithful to bear witness to this.
The ceremonies continued with the laying of wreaths at the unity monument located in the headquarters of Muyinga commune. Participants included administrative authorities from Buhumuza province and Muyinga commune, defense and security forces, as well as political parties CNDD-FDD, Sahwanya-FRODEBU, UPRONA, UPD-ZIGAMIBANGA, RANAC and CNL.
In her speech, the governor of Buhumuza province, Denise Ndaruhekere, urged the population to preserve peace and security to avoid repeating past mistakes and to honor the blood shed by their compatriots by avoiding conflicts, whatever their origin.
She welcomed the progress made by the commune, particularly in hygiene and cleanliness, and called on residents to demonstrate discipline and respect for authorities in order to achieve genuine development.
For his part, the communal administrator of Muyinga, Amédée Misago, thanked the people and leaders of approved political parties for their contribution to development, particularly in hygiene and cleanliness, thanks to adherence to authorities’ guidelines.
He encouraged residents to continue supporting urban sanitation teams to maintain cleanliness, especially since Muyinga commune is considered a model in Buhumuza province.
He also praised the progress made by the people in various fields, stating that the people of Muyinga can overcome hunger if they maintain the discipline inherited from Ntaryamira. He encouraged them to redouble their efforts and discipline in work to ensure their development.
In Gitega, the political capital, activities began with an ecumenical prayer led by representatives of catholic, protestant, and muslim religious denominations, calling for peace, social cohesion, and solidarity among Burundians. After this moment of reflection, the ceremonies continued with the laying of wreaths at the monument of Burundian unity, in memory of the late president.
The governor of Gitega province, Mr. Liboire Bigirimana, opened this sequence on behalf of the provincial administration. He was followed by representatives of political parties, notably CNDD-FDD, Sahwanya-FRODEBU, APDR and ADR.
The ceremonies concluded with the listening of an excerpt from the inaugural speech of President Cyprien Ntaryamira, in which he urged Burundians to strengthen democracy and demonstrate responsibility and discipline in all sectors of national life.