Butembo

Butembo is a city in North Kivu, in the north eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, lying west of the Virunga National Park. Until the Congo Civil War, it was an important commercial centre with a large market, a cathedral, a small hospital, and an airport, lying in an area known for tea and coffee growing. As of 2010 it had an estimated population of 200,000.

Overview

The city is home to the 2nd Integrated Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.^[1]

The Université Catholique du Graben (UCG) is located in Butembo.^[2] It was founded in 1989.

In 2006 Hotel de Butembo was finished. An expensive hotel when compared to the living standards, but a very safe place to stay for foreigners. As of 2007, Butembo (and surroundings) can be seen in detail in Google Maps.

In September 2008, Butembo was the site of a riot. The riot broke out in connection with a football game in between the teams of Socozaki and Nyuki System, when it was suspected that Nyuki's goal keeper was applying witchcraft. 13 people were killed and 36 injured.^[3]

Sources and references

• Butembo in Google Maps
• YouTube Video of Nella Star (2007) Video by Godfried van Loo following Dutch sociologist/anthropologist Nella Star when going back to Butembo after over 30 years. With a lot of footage from the city Butembo and surroundings. Dutch/French spoken and subtitled.

1. ^ MONUC via Reliefweb, RD Congo : Rapport mensuel des droits de l'homme - juillet 2007
2. ^ Université Catholique du Graben (website)
3. ^ "Witchcraft rumor sparks riot at Congo soccer game". Associated Press. 2008-09-15. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iEWz9-ZxpEugnyrJpBM2x2lctZQwD937AFGO1. Retrieved 2008-09-16.