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By Oswald Basanda
Five wetlands in the city of Kigali have begun to be properly developed in a way to protect ecosystems and protect the environment, preventing erosion where rainwater has been destroying residents’ homes and damaging infrastructure. By 2025, this problem will have been solved, if not already.
These wetlands are Gikondo, the Rwampara swamp and stream that divides Kicukiro and Nyarugenge districts, the Nyabugogoswamp, and the UTEXRWA swamp. These areas will be developed in such a way that the water from the rivers will be clean and flow smoothly, not at high speed.
It has been designed in such a way that there is no place where it can sink, move, or move on its own, but there is no place where there is a hill, so that it cannot be dug, these swamps will be filled with beautiful and suitable vegetation, on the sides and above there will be infrastructure, in such a way that a person will be able to sit and enjoy the natural beauty of these swamps.
This water will be clean, because it will be surrounded by a reed that will be responsible for collecting water, filtering it, the water will reach the pools already clean, because it will be filtered by that reed.
This ecosystem will help filter the water over time, in some places clean pools will be installed, in such a way that the water will come out of this ecosystem that is already clean and clear, there is a place for gardens where people can relax and take in the fresh air.
Uwera Martine, the Program Officer for the Integration of Environmental Programs into Government Programs and the Protection of Biodiversity at REMA, is responsible for the management of 5 wetlands in Kigali City.
She said, “Our goal is to combat wetlands, deal with the effects of floods, restore the ecosystem that was destroyed, improve water quality, and improve the quality of life of the population, including recreational facilities where people can relax.”
All the wetlands have a total area of 500 hectares; the largest of the 5 is Gikondo with 162 hectares.
These wetlands will change the face of Kigali City, as they are located in the heart of Kigali City, and will help due to the way these hills and valleys are formed, all the water rests in the wetlands, they will absorb rainwater that used to flood Kigali City, and these wetlands will restore the ecosystem.
This ecosystem will provide various things, including clean air for people to breathe, there will be medicinal plants used in various ways, and improve the quality of water.
The water that came from the mountains brought various wastes, these swamps will help filter them, and then those who can walk in these swamps will be able to do physical exercises there.
These swamps, which are 57.5 kilometers long, will be used for sports for walkers, cyclists, and will help in the life and well-being of residents and travelers in Kigali.
Drainage: In areas that used to cause floods and cause problems for the City of Kigali, there were drains that were very damaged, to the point that some areas of this city were not accessible, especially in the Rwampara area, because there were dangerous drains, to the point that the water had completely destroyed the place, to the point that some of them even washed away people’s houses, these drains are being repaired, so that the water will flow normally.
Areas affected: There was always excessive water in Kanogo, in such a way that when it rained, the water would fill it, next was Poids Lourds, third was Nyabugogo as well as UTEXRWA, everywhere the water would fill and collapse, even going onto the road to the extent of damaging the infrastructure, and the project would have to deal with these floods.
The project began in 2021, starting with various studies, which provided master plans for what they should implement, the construction of which began in March 2024, and should be completed no later than December 31, 2025.
The budget for these wetlands: out of $82 million (dollars), equivalent to 100 billion Rwandan francs, it is expected to be used, currently available is $32 million (dollars), which is the starting point for the project, where they will work with donors, add more money, currently they are hoping for $36 million, which will be completed in the first phase, and then another phase related to investment, and they are looking at ways to work with investors, to further improve it.
Water technology: This water flows in such a way that it cannot reach the water of the pond, so as not to pollute it, this water will be surrounded by reed swamps, in such a way that it should not come out, but rather penetrate the ground, because that is where the fresh, filtered air of the atmosphere comes out, which helps the residents of the City of Kigali and have a good life.
It will not only be limited to preserving the atmosphere, there will also be places on the outskirts where people can relax and take in the fresh air, in those places people will talk and think about what will improve them, including looking at the ecosystem, the environment, the treated water and the surrounding environment that will be preserved.
These swamps must be treated by December 31, 2025, the workers assigned to this task will have completed the work and presented it publicly.
Repairing the Rwampara canal: Water used to come from Rebero and Nyamirambo hills, and then flowed into the Rwampara canal, destroying the residents, some of whom lost their lives.
Currently, 18 meters of the Rwampara river have been removed, leaving 8 meters to be restored, as residents testify that it was so dangerous that the rains fell every year, between 2 and 3 people died, including many houses that were destroyed, because what they do is to delay the water so that it does not descend at the speed it brought, where Kanogo, Nyabugogo and UTEXRWA were full.
The work of improving the City of Kigali is being carried out by REMA in collaboration with the City of Kigali, who are treating the water that was released by the rain to disperse it in the swamp, to deal with the high water in Nyabugogo and reduce it, and to increase trade between Kicukiro and Nyarugenge.
Water dams have been built in such a way that there will be sections of water intake structures, to prevent water from bringing the speed to the death, these structures are gradually being completed.
Residents’ Request: Eric Ndayisabye, one of the workers who has been living in the Rwampara culvert for 10 years, told the media: “This place you see was in very bad condition, there was a huge hole, a drunk person fell into it, we immediately pulled him out, he was crossing to Kicukiro and he immediately fell in.” He said: “There was a hole in that place where they put a lot of stones and it rose, now we have started building there, we have found work, the fact that they put stones will help us, there are also paths that connect, so that water can flow without harm, there are no culverts to properly drain the water.”
The resident continued by saying that after they were evacuated, the people who were near the culvert are no longer there, we appreciate the Rwandan government for cleaning up the place instead of putting people’s lives in danger, he said that they will continue to maintain these infrastructures. He also requested that they install different bridges so that they can cross, as it will help them travel from Kicukiro to Nyarugenge, because some people who have jobs are asking for a large bridge with solid materials.
These bridges will allow motorcycles and bicycles as well as pedestrians to cross these areas easily.
The swamps being developed are located in Rwampara, the Gikondo swamp covers part of Remera, Kimihurura, Kicukiroand Gatenga, and will descend to meet Rugenge rw’intare and Kacyiru, meet the Muhima part where they are called PoidsLourds, and end at Kinamba.
Also meeting the Kibumba swamp is the former Utexrwa and Croix Rouge swamp, covering the Kinyinya Sector, the KacyiruSector and the Gisozi Sector.
Then it continues to Nyabugogo, which starts from Kinamba and continues to Gatsata, including the sectors of Gisozi, Gatsataand Muhima, all these swamps affect 10 sectors, affecting the 3districts that make up the City of Kigali.
