BUJUMBURA, Burundi — Burundi’s Minister of Communication, Gabby Bugaga, has been found dead inside his vehicle in a palm plantation in Kivoga, in an incident that has triggered a formal police investigation.
Authorities said his body was discovered early Thursday morning slumped over the steering wheel of a Toyota 4×4 at approximately 8:36 a.m.
“We are deeply saddened by the news,” President Evariste Ndayishimiye wrote on X. “May God receive him and reward him for the courage, diligence and dedication that characterized him in all his duties to serve the country.”
Security personnel and emergency responders were quickly deployed to the scene, securing the area before an ambulance was called to remove the body.
Officials said a state prosecutor is expected to conduct an on-site examination before the body is moved, in line with standard investigative procedures.
Images from the scene showed the vehicle parked off-road among palm trees, with no immediate visible signs of a collision or struggle.
In one image, members of the public and officials are seen gathered near the vehicle with a door open, while a wider shot shows police officers, medical responders, and an ambulance stationed across the plantation.
The cause of death has not yet been determined. Authorities have confirmed that a postmortem examination will be carried out to establish whether foul play, natural causes, or another factor was responsible.
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Investigators have not released further details, and no official theory has been confirmed at this stage.
The sudden death of a senior government official has drawn national attention in Burundi, where high-ranking political figures rarely die under unexplained circumstances, heightening public interest in the investigation.
While official information remains limited, cases involving unexplained deaths of public officials in the region often lead to extended investigations involving forensic analysis, toxicology reports, and security reviews.
Authorities have urged patience as inquiries continue, with further updates expected once the postmortem and preliminary investigation findings are completed.
Bugaga, a former journalist, was appointed minister in August of last year.
