BUJUMBURA, Burundi— Burundi’s five newly appointed provincial governors officially took office Friday, completing a sweeping administrative overhaul that reduced the country’s provinces from 18 to 5.
The Senate approved the nominations Thursday after Interior Minister Martin Niteretse presented the candidates proposed by President Évariste Ndayishimiye. The reorganization, first announced in 2022, aims to streamline governance, reduce administrative costs and improve public services across the country.
Four men and one woman were sworn in to lead the new provinces:
- Dénise Ndaruhekeye will govern Buhumuza province, created from the former provinces of Muyinga, Cankuzo and Ruyigi.
- Gen. Maj. Ndayikengurukiye Aloys will head Bujumbura province, which now encompasses Bujumbura, Bujumbura Mairie, Bubanza and Cibitoke.
- Police Brig. Gen. Victor Segasago will oversee Butanyerera province, merging Kayanza and Ngozi.
- Liboire Bigirimana will lead Gitega province, combining Gitega, Muramvya, Karusi and Mwaro.
- Parfait Mboninyibuka will govern Burunga province, formed from Makamba, Rumonge, Rutana and Bururi.
Segasago is the only appointee with previous gubernatorial experience, having served as governor of Kirundo province.
Ceremonies were held across the country on Friday to mark the handover of responsibilities.
In Bujumbura, the outgoing governors of the four consolidated provinces formally transferred duties to Ndayikengurukiye, who pledged to address citizens’ concerns and focus on development.
In Burunga, Mboninyibuka expressed gratitude for the appointment and committed to serving residents with a “future-focused vision.”
Segasago officially assumed leadership in Butanyerera during a ceremony attended by Richard Ndayisaba, secretary general in the Ministry of the Interior in charge of security, who urged the new governor to uphold public trust.
In Gitega, Bigirimana took office from four outgoing governors and said he was determined to fulfill the president’s mandate.
In Buhumuza, Ndaruhekeye called for collaboration and unity as she steps into her new role.
The consolidation of provinces is among Burundi’s most significant decentralization reforms in decades. Authorities have described the changes as a necessary step to improve efficiency and bring government closer to citizens.
Burundi’s provinces were reduced from 18 to 5 as part of decentralization and administrative streamlining reforms approved in 2022 and implemented in 2025. The goal was to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen local governance.
The five new provinces are:
- Buhumuza (former Muyinga, Cankuzo, Ruyigi)
- Butanyerera (former Kayanza, Ngozi)
- Gitega (former Gitega, Muramvya, Karusi, Mwaro)
- Burunga (former Makamba, Rumonge, Rutana, Bururi)
- Bujumbura (former Bujumbura, Bujumbura Mairie, Bubanza, Cibitoke)
