Nyamasheke: Pastor dies after drowning in Lake Kivu

By The Inspirer writer. 

Tragedy struck in Muhavu Village, Mubuga Cell, Gihombo Sector, Nyamasheke District, when Pastor Iradukunda Elie, 31, of the EMLR Church Conference in Kigali, drowned while swimming in Lake Kivu.

According to Niyibigira Joseph, a neighbor and head of Isheja Village, he was the first to arrive at the scene. He said Pastor Iradukunda had gone to the lake at around 9:30 a.m., while Niyibigira himself arrived later, at 11:30 a.m.

The pastor, who was unmarried, often went swimming with a young assistant, aged around 20. However, on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, he went alone.

Prior to leaving, he had informed a colleague, Mukamunana, that he planned to visit Kibogora Hospital for malaria treatment, but would first stop to swim. Mukamunana reportedly advised him against swimming alone, advice the pastor declined.

Niyibigira said Pastor Iradukunda usually swam in a familiar area called Kavange, accompanied by his assistant. That day, he chose a different route along the lakeshore through Ntobwe, Ruhingo Village. Along the way, he passed fishermen who asked if he had come to buy fish, which he denied.

After Niyibigira finished harvesting beans around 11:30 a.m., he decided to visit the lake.

About 100 meters from the shore, he noticed clothing and personal items, jeans, a white T-shirt, blue sandals, a jacket, a large phone, and five keys, lying unattended. The items included a phone showing a photo of the pastor and Bishop Kayinamura Samuel of the EMLR Church.

Niyibigira alerted neighbors and nearby villagers. Fishermen who dived into the lake recovered the pastor’s body from the rocks about six meters from the shore. It was taken to Kibogora Hospital, where it remains.

Officials believe the change in the pastor’s usual swimming location contributed to the accident. He was swimming alone, not wearing proper gear, and there was no one nearby to assist him.

Jérôme Niyitegeka, Executive Secretary of Gihombo Sector, confirmed that investigations ruled out foul play.

“The pastor drowned while swimming. We urge residents to avoid swimming alone, wear proper swimming gear, and take precautions, especially in Lake Kivu,” he said.

Source: ImvahoNshya