Burundian communication, media minister dies in accident : official

BUJUMBURA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The Burundian government has confirmed the death of Communication and Media Minister Gabby Bugaga in an accident on Thursday morning.

"The Burundian government is saddened by the sudden death of Communication and Media Minister Gabby Bugaga in the early hours of Thursday in an accident," said Secretary General of the State and government spokesperson Jerome Niyonzima.

"During this painful period, the Burundian government extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, to the members of the government and his colleagues in the ministry he headed, to all his loved ones, and to the Burundian people in general," added Niyonzima.

Niyonzima also indicated that details on the funeral arrangements would be released later.

Bugaga was the Burundian communication and media minister since August 2025. Before that, he was a member of the East African country's National Independent Electoral Commission in charge of logistical affairs.

According to information relayed by witnesses at the scene, Bugaga was found dead at the wheel of a 4x4 vehicle, parked in a palm plantation in Kivoga, northwest of Bujumbura city in the Ntahangwa district of Bujumbura province.

The exact circumstances of the death are still unknown. The government statement does not specify the type of accident. Enditem