Burundi soldier shoots man smuggling fuel
A man is in critical condition after being shot by a soldier while transporting fuel from the DRC.
A man was critically injured by a gunshot on Thursday evening, October 29, 2026, in Kaburantwa, Bukinanyana commune, Bujumbura province. The victim was riding a motorcycle carrying fuel containers from the Democratic Republic of Congo when a soldier fired at his legs after he refused to stop. He was taken to a health center in Kaburantwa before being transferred to Prince Régent Charles Hospital in Bujumbura.
Local administration stated the soldier shot the man's legs when he did not comply with orders. The fuel enters Burundi from the RDC via the Rusizi River and is collected near the border before being sold illegally. Residents questioned the use of live ammunition, suggesting a warning shot could have been used. This incident occurs amid ongoing tensions between law enforcement and fuel smugglers.
The victim remained in critical condition at the hospital. This event highlights the risks associated with the clandestine fuel trade, which supplies markets in Burundi, including Bujumbura, where prices can be five times the official rate. Burundi has faced fuel shortages for nearly six years, leading some citizens to travel to the RDC for supplies.
Why it mattersA man was critically injured by a gunshot while involved in the illegal fuel trade.