Ten Congolese Nationals Detained at Muyinga Central Prison Following Refusal at Burundi Border
Muyinga, Burundi — Ten Congolese nationals, including Mr. Mweze Mutuzi Patrice-Samuel, are currently being held at Muyinga Central Prison after being arrested for irregular entry into Burundian territory, under circumstances they describe as unclear and unjust.
According to the testimony of Mr. Mweze Mutuzi Patrice-Samuel, born on September 11, 2000, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and originally from Bukavu, South Kivu Province (DRC), the incident dates back to December 27, 2025. On that day, he left Bukavu heading to Burundi, transiting toward an interview at the United States Embassy as part of an application for a student visa, after having been awarded an academic scholarship.
His journey followed the route Kamembe – Kigali – Rusumo – Kobero. Upon arrival at the Kobero border post, Burundian immigration officers reportedly refused to grant him an entry stamp, citing the fact that his passport had already been stamped at the Rusizi border. However, Mr. Mweze maintains that he had legally purchased a two-year residence visa for Burundi on December 4, 2025, before returning to the Democratic Republic of Congo to collect documents required to support his interview.
Despite providing these explanations, the immigration officer allegedly upheld the refusal, forcing him to return to Tanzania. It was there that a Tanzanian motorcycle taxi driver (boda-boda) approached him, claiming to know an officer who could facilitate his passage in exchange for 30 US dollars. Mr. Mweze accepted the offer but says he was defrauded and taken through a forest area, eventually reaching a river that serves as a natural border.
On the opposite side of the river, a Burundian national allegedly assisted him in crossing before calling a Burundian motorcycle taxi driver, who then transported him to the Judicial Police in Murama, where he was arrested on December 28, 2025. He was subsequently transferred to the Judicial Police in Muyinga on December 30, 2025, and finally incarcerated at Muyinga Central Prison on January 12, 2026.
Mr. Mweze states that his case is not isolated. A total of ten Congolese nationals are currently detained in the same prison under similar circumstances, all of whom reportedly crossed the border irregularly after being, according to them, encouraged by cross-border motorcycle networks operating between Tanzania and Burundi.
The detainees are identified as follows:
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Mweze Mutuzi Patrice-Samuel
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Yakira Seremba Nestor
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Mukumba Lutala
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Musa Mwete Héritier
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Benjamin Kishibisha Mazanga
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Mlenda Jean de Dieu
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Asha Béatrice
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Irène Cimbamvunya
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Lama Muzuri
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Shomari
The detainees claim that their explanations have not been duly considered, despite the information provided, and they are now appealing to competent authorities, human rights organizations, and diplomatic missions to review their cases individually and seek a legal and humanitarian solution.
They are calling for their prompt release, stating that they consider themselves victims of fraudulent cross-border practices rather than criminals.
Par Don de Dieu MBAZUMUTIMA.