Denis Kazungu

Last updated
Denis Kazungu
Bornc. 1989 (age 3435)
Years active2022–2023
Criminal status Incarcerated
Criminal penalty Life imprisonment
Details
Victims14
CountryRwanda
State(s)Gashikiri, Kicukiro District, Kigali
Date apprehended
5 September 2023

Denis Kazungu is a Rwandan serial killer who murdered 14 people, most of whom were women. At the time of his arrest, he ran a motorcycle spare parts shop.

Contents

Murders

From April 2022 until the day of his arrest, Kazungu rented a house in Gashikiri, [1] [2] in the Kanombe sector of Kicukiro District, where he lured his victims. [3] [4] At least three women were able to escape from the house. Neighbors informed Mutwarasibo, a local leader, but the events were dismissed as mere disputes between Kazungu and sex workers. [4]

Kazungu had been arrested in July 2023 of suspicion of rape, robbery, theft, and use of threats. However, he was granted bail due to lack of evidence until 5 September, when the police arrested him again. [5] [6] Two days later, it was announced that fourteen bodies had been found in a hole in the kitchen of his home he rented. [7] [8] When Kazungu was arrested, he stated that he lured his victims from a bar to his home then raped, robbed and murdered them. [5] On September 21, 2023, Kazungu pleaded guilty in the murders. [9] Kazungu was sentenced to life imprisonment on March 8, 2024. [10]

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References

  1. Hudson Kuteesa (2023-09-06). "Kicukiro: How alleged serial killer picked his victims". The New Times. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  2. "Life Sentence for Denis Kazungu in Landmark Kigali Trial". The Rwandan. 2024-03-09. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  3. Aurore Teta Ufitiwabo (2024-03-08). "'Serial killer' Kazungu sentenced to life in prison". The New Times. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  4. 1 2 Hudson Kuteesa (2023-09-08). "How three women escaped death at the hands of Busanza 'serial killer' Kazungu". The New Times. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  5. 1 2 Kuteesa, Hudson (6 September 2023). "Kicukiro: How alleged serial killer picked his victims". The New Times. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  6. Gahigi, Moses K. (7 September 2023). "Rwanda probing agency arrests man suspected to be serial killer". The East African.
  7. "Rwanda police arrest serial killer suspect after finding bodies in kitchen". Al Jazeera. 7 September 2023.
  8. Ssuuna, Ignatius (7 September 2023). "Suspect serial killer arrested in Rwanda after over 10 bodies found in a pit at his home". AP News.
  9. "A suspected serial killer pleads guilty in Rwanda to killing 14 people". AP NEWS. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  10. Bucyana, Yves (8 March 2024). "Denis Kazungu yahanishijwe igifungo cya burundu ku byaha byinshi byo kwica no gufata abagore ku ngufu". BBC (in Kinyarwanda).