Bruce Melodie, a Rwandan musician, was detained upon arrival in Burundi.

Bruce Itahiwacu, alias Bruce Melodie, a Rwandan musician, was detained upon his arrival in Bujumbura, where he was scheduled to perform two gigs.

Melodie is being investigated by police after one of his promoters in Burundi accused him of violating a contract in 2018 after he failed to show up for an event despite pocketing payments.

“Bruce Melodie is being held and is being investigated for fraud,” Burundi’s Interior Ministry stated in a tweet.

The ‘Katerina’ hitmaker was scheduled to perform in Burundi’s old capital on Friday and Saturday.

According to local media reports, the promoter, known as Toussaint, is requesting a refund of costs and interest paid to the musician for a 2018 performance at which he did not appear.

The 20-year-old performer rose to prominence in 2011. He has now collaborated with a number of artists from East Africa. Igitangaza Music Label is run by the singer-songwriter.