Citizens in Bujumbura are feeling the pinch as housing prices continue to soar, sparking concerns over government inaction in regulating the sector. Local civil society organization OLUCOME has called attention to what it describes as “alarming” rent increases that threaten the rights of tenants in the country’s economic capital Bujumbura.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, OLUCOME head Gabriel Rufyiri criticized property owners for setting rental prices unilaterally, often without warning tenants.
“Today, tenants in Burundi are in a very difficult situation. Property owners of rented houses have almost no limits and can raise rents as they wish…,” Rufyiri said.
He reminded the public of both local and international legal frameworks guaranteeing the right to housing, including Burundi’s Constitution and international covenants on social, economic, and cultural rights ratified in 1990. Yet, despite these protections, he warned, the situation continues to deteriorate.
“All these rights must be realized through concrete actions. But in most cases, we see that this is a problem,” he added.
OLUCOME has also condemned commission agents who double housing costs above the owners’ prices while avoiding taxes, further burdening residents.
In March 2025, the government announced the establishment of a new regulatory body to oversee rental housing and curb exploitative rent hikes. Rufyiri has questioned why the agency has yet to be implemented.
The housing crunch worsened earlier this year with the influx of Congolese nationals fleeing insecurity in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Their use of U.S. dollars reportedly encouraged landlords to raise rents, placing additional strain on local tenants.
One northern Bujumbura resident, Jean de Dieu Nsabiyaremye, shared the impact on his family. “Renting in Bujumbura as a Burundian citizen is no longer possible. The house I was renting was suddenly raised to BIF 100,000, then doubled again to BIF 200,000. My workplace house went from BIF 50,000 in 2021 to BIF 250,000,” he told BREAKING BURUNDI.
The rising housing costs compound an ongoing cost-of-living crisis driven by fuel shortages, currency devaluation, and increasing transportation costs. Many residents now face the prospect of being priced out of their homes.
Calls for action included forming tenant associations and reconsidering the recent decree, with Rufyiri also advocating for a tripartite body bringing together the government, the real estate sector, and tenant representatives to develop sustainable housing policies.
He also urged religious leaders and authorities to address population growth proactively. “This is a crucial matter to avoid future food shortages and crises. This issue must be addressed proactively,” Rufyiri said.
In his remarks, Rufyiri emphasized that defending tenants’ rights is part of a broader commitment to social justice:
“This press conference has a single goal: to uphold the rights of citizens. Today, we focus on tenants and workers, particularly domestic workers, whose rights are often violated while others are respected. The law must guarantee equity, yet vulnerable groups remain exposed. Burundi faces real housing and population management challenges that must be addressed through concrete action.”
Attempts to reach the government spokesperson and the Ministry of Infrastructure for comment were unsuccessful.
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