A school of patriotism will be erected at the mausoleum of President Nkurunziza located in Gitega, promised Tuesday, June 05, 2021, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Burundi. General-Major Evariste Ndayishimiye presided over the ceremonies under a triple aspect. First, the commemoration of the first anniversary of the death of President Pierre Nkurunziza, then the celebration of the National Day of Patriotism and finally, the end of mourning ceremonials of the late President Pierre Nkurunziza.
These ceremonies were attended by high authorities of the country including the Right Honorable Speaker of the National Assembly, the Right Honorable Speaker of the Senate, His Excellency the Prime Minister, the Burundian Ombudsman as well as the Representatives of the Ugandan and Tanzanian Authorities. They began with an ecumenical prayer made successively by a Catholic, a Protestant and a Muslim. The national anthem was then played. A moderator then traced the socio-professional career of the late President Pierre Nkurunziza. This was followed by the ceremonial laying of wreaths, starting with the presidential couple, the blood relatives of the late President, the Vice-President of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Special Envoy of the President of Uganda, and finally the representatives of the diplomats. The Assembly then listened to an excerpt from the speech delivered by President Pierre Nkurunziza in which he called on his compatriots to love their motherland.
The different choirs coordinated the different activities as if to mark the transition. Thus, the laying of wreaths was followed by the actual ceremony of the final lifting of the mourning. A word of circumstance was pronounced by a member of the family. The Honorable Gaspard Sindayigaya stated from the outset that that was a moment of joy, an opportunity to remember the late. Moreover, his great achievements and various testimonies were heard in the media.
While a pastor delivered his preaching, the audience sipped a drink as required in this kind of ceremony. After the preaching, Her Excellency Denise Bucumi Nkurunziza gave a testimony on behalf of those who had been close to President Pierre Nkurunziza. An attentive and caring husband, President Pierre Nkurunziza kept his word because he never beat his wife during the 32 years they knew each other, including the engagement, she said with humor, emphasizing his extreme courage. With the death of President Pierre Nkurunziza, Maman Buntu Denise Bucumi Nkurunziza has also lost her main advisor. The couple shared the same tastes, such as the spontaneity to come to the aid of those in need. He also supported her in the children’s education.

Regarding the final mourning ceremony, Maman Buntu, Denise Bucumi Nkurunziza said that the mourning period was definitely over. She also pointed out that the family accepted all grievances related to President Pierre Nkurunziza.
As a relative, the father-in-law of President Pierre made a clear decision. "I have nothing more to say since everything has been said.
To sum up the ceremony in three parts, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Burundi, in his speech, first congratulated Burundian people who have stood firm during the times of trial. Major General Evariste Ndayishimiye also thanked the friendly countries that have comforted Burundian people with messages of condolence. He did not doubt either that President Pierre Nkurunziza is already sitting next to God. He then invited the assembly present to observe a minute of silence in his memory.
H.E. will keep from his predecessor the spirit of innovation. As an illustration, on social level, while the popular belief was that wealth was measured by the abandonment of one’s origin (uwukize akira iwabo), President Pierre Nkurunziza disproved it. The rich are those who propel their home country towards development (uwukize akiza iwabo). He also unified the population through community development work.

Furthermore, His Excellency the President of the Republic declared that the date of 08 June each year will be dedicated to the national day of patriotism.
At the end of the speech by Major General Evariste Ndayishimiye, the assembly fulfilled the custom of the country by granting envelopes as a sign of support to the family of the late. Meanwhile, Maman Buntu, Denise Bucumi Nkurunziza ended her speech with a prayer and thanks to the participants in those unforgettable ceremonies for the Nation and for all Burundians.