Captain Sébastien Mugunga Killed by Fellow Soldiers in Uvira Over Ethnic Bias
Uvira, South Kivu – November 13, 2025:
Reliable sources have confirmed the tragic death of Captain Sébastien (Sabastien) Mugunga Rwamuhigo, an officer of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), who was shot and killed by his fellow soldiers on the night of Wednesday to Thursday, November 13, 2025, in the city of Uvira, South Kivu Province.
According to multiple witnesses, the incident occurred after gunfire broke out in Uvira during clashes between Wazalendo militiamen and government troops. Captain Mugunga, who was responsible for overseeing the security of soldiers on night duty, reportedly went out to assess the situation. He encountered a group of soldiers together with civilians speaking the Iringala language, and was immediately shot dead on the spot.
An eyewitness told Minembwe Capital News:
“Captain Mugunga was shot last night in Uvira after gunfire was heard. He went out to check whether the guards were alert, but found them with people speaking the Iringa language. They shot him in the abdomen, and he died instantly.”
Other sources report that the captain had recently faced accusations of speaking Kinyarwanda, an allegation that has frequently been used by some FARDC members as a pretext to persecute or eliminate soldiers of Tutsi or Banyamulenge origin.
Born in Kiroriwe, North Kivu, Captain Mugunga was widely respected as a soldier of integrity, discipline, and dedication. He served as the S4 (logistics officer) of a battalion based in Bijombo, and had only recently been reassigned to Uvira.
New details emerging from security sources indicate that the shooter was allegedly his own escort, who had earlier been involved in a domestic dispute with his wife. When the wife called Captain Mugunga for help, he intervened to stop the soldier from beating her. The soldier then turned his weapon on the captain and shot him at close range.
Security analysts in South Kivu say that the killing underscores deep divisions, discrimination, and ethnic hatred that continue to plague the Congolese army. Soldiers of Banyamulenge and Tutsi descent have reportedly faced ongoing killings, arrests, and marginalization due to their ethnic background.
As of now, the FARDC high command has not released any official statement on the incident. However, credible reports confirm that the soldiers involved in the shooting have been arrested and detained in Uvira, pending a full military investigation.
The body of Captain Mugunga is currently being held at the Uvira Military Hospital, where an autopsy will be conducted before he is laid to rest with full military honors.
