Bugesera: Man arrested after killing his father by setting him on fire

By The Inspirer.

Bugesera District, Rwanda — A 28-year-old man has been arrested by security organs in collaboration with residents after allegedly killing his father by setting him on fire using gasoline.

The gruesome incident took place in Gahinga Village, Kibirizi Cell, Mayange Sector, on the evening of Thursday, September 25, 2025.

According to local officials, the suspect reportedly wrapped his 76-year-old father in a mattress, poured gasoline over him, and set him ablaze.

The Gahinga Village leader, Théophile Hashakineza, told IGIHE that the tragedy occurred between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Hashakineza said the suspect had been living in Kigali but had recently returned home, claiming that life in the city had become too difficult.

“We were alerted at night and rushed to the scene, but unfortunately, the elderly man had already passed away,” he said.

Residents managed to apprehend the suspect and handed him over to security authorities.

Sources reveal that the young man had a history of stealing money from his father and had previously been sent to a rehabilitation center. Although he appeared reformed upon release, he later relapsed into old habits.

Upon his arrest, the suspect reportedly confessed that he had planned the murder a day earlier, on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, claiming that the victim was not his biological father and that he “saw no value in him.”

The suspect is currently detained at the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) Nyamata Station in Bugesera District as investigations continue.

At the time of the incident, the victim’s wife was in the kitchen preparing dinner. She tried to raise the alarm after hearing her husband screaming, but efforts to save him were unsuccessful.

RIB is now processing the suspect’s case file, which will be forwarded to the Prosecution for further legal proceedings.

Under Rwanda’s penal code, intentional murder is punishable by life imprisonment.