The mood was somber at Karundo Cemetery, Rubavu District during the burial of one of the victims shot by a soldier. The deceased was identified as Jean Claude Niyoyita, 31.

The incident took place at Calibana Bar in Kivumu Cell, Gisenyi Sector on Monday at around 4:30am.

The errant soldier, Cpl. Emmanuel Habiyambere, also injured three others during the incident.Sources say that it all started when Cpl Habiyambere, who was in the bar drinking, claimed that all his money had been stolen and asked revellers to return it.

After bar attendants told him that no one was responsible for the theft, Habiyambere rushed to the military camp, only to return with a gun.

Niyoyita, a second year student at Kigali Independent University (ULK), had not been in the bar but was passing by when he found people quarreling and intervened. He was shot in the process.

Some of the injured were identified as Sareh Noheri and Beatrice Uzamukunda. The identity of the third victim could not be established by press time.

In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Defence extended condolences to the aggrieved families, adding that the unfortunate incident went against the Force’s creed well known for its ethos and high level discipline.

”Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) deeply regrets and strongly condemns the incident,” the press release, signed by Maj. Rene Ngendahimana, Defence and Military Deputy Spokesperson, reads in part.

It added that Cpl Habiyambere had been arrested immediately.

"RDF does not condone such behaviour. It is in this regard that the Military Prosecution has immediately started investigating the case,” it adds.

"Once investigations are concluded, the suspect will be brought before the Court Martial for prosecution.