Nyanza: A security guard at the Urubuto Hotel (formerly known as Dayenu Hotel) died in the swimming pool while swimming.
On Friday, January 16, 2026, a reporter from UMUSEKE arrived at the Urubuto Hotel, located in the center of Nyanza town, Gakenkeri A Village, Nyanza Cell, Busasamana Sector, where the incident took place.
It was evident that something unusual had occurred at the hotel.
Some hotel employees stated that several staff members refused to come to work, fearing arrest. This included the manager who had worked the day shift, who was constantly calling them asking them to report for duty.
At the hotel pool, there were signs indicating that it was out of service.
Among the staff who worked the night, morning, and day shifts, none were present; some had gone home, others had been arrested, and others had fled from security organs.
No employee at the hotel agreed to speak to the UMUSEKE reporter, stating that doing so would lead to their dismissal.
Reliable information obtained by UMUSEKE indicates that around 7:00 PM on January 15, 2026, the security guard—who had worked the night shift—went to change his clothes to swap shifts with his colleague.
Shortly after, he went to swim in the pool, as the hotel typically allows employees to swim for free. It was then that he entered the water and drowned.
The deceased, identified as Charles NZABIHIMANA, was approximately 45 years old, married, and a father.
The Police Spokesperson in the Southern Province, CIP Kamanzi Hassan, told UMUSEKE that upon receiving the information, they rushed to the scene with the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) and launched an investigation.
He stated that the investigation is ongoing and that a husband and wife, along with other hotel employees, have been detained.
Information obtained by UMUSEKE reveals that the detained couple are the owners of the hotel. However, other employees who were being questioned regarding the death immediately fled from security personnel.
The body of the deceased was taken to Nyanza Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
This is not the first time a person has died in this hotel’s swimming pool; in 2017, two students died while swimming there. They were students at a school located in Nyanza called IGIHOZO Saint Peter Secondary School.
The Police are urging hotel owners, particularly those with swimming pools, to ensure the safety of people swimming to prevent loss of life or other accidents.
Theogene NSHIMIYIMANA UMUSEKE.RW in Nyanza