Police in Rusizi District, Western Province is investigating circumstances surrounding the death of a Catholic priest whose body was on Saturday found in Nyungwe national park after he went missing for two days. 

Father Evariste Nambaje, 47, was serving as Cyangugu Diocese accountant. 

Chief Superintendent Francis Gahima, the Western Province regional Police spokesperson, said Nambaje’s body was found in a vehicle parked in the forest.

 "We are still investigating the cause of his death. His body was slumped in the back seat of the vehicle (land cruiser) .  The vehicle was locked and the keys were on the front seat,” Gahima said.

Also found in the vehicle was a jerry can of fuel, police added.

Police was alerted by local residents who had seen the vehicle parked in the forest for two days.

The deceased’s former workmates said he was heading to Kigali for official business.

Apart from serving as an accountant, Nambaje was also heading a committee that was following up on the project for construction of the diocese hotel in Rusizi.

Bishop Smaragde Mbonyintege, the spokesperson for the Catholic Church, said the accountant’s death was a blow to the church.

"We are saddened by his death. We heard the sad news on Saturday and are waiting for the results of the post-mortem. He was hardworking and  God-fearing,” he said.

Nambaje was buried on Monday at Cyangugu Cathedral premises.