The Minister of Environment, Dr. Bernadette Arakwiye, has stated that the restoration and rehabilitation of wetlands in the City of Kigali are among the measures put in place by the Government to address climate change.
She made these remarks on Saturday during the end-of-month community work (Umuganda) held in the Rugenge and Rwintare wetland, where she joined other leaders, development partners, and residents in tree planting and cleaning activities in the wetlands under rehabilitation.
She said, “Wetlands are very important in water management in the City of Kigali. They are considered natural systems for receiving large volumes of water coming from the hills, holding it and releasing it gradually, thereby protecting the city from floods and their effects on residents and infrastructure.”
Dr. Arakwiye explained that the ongoing works aim to restore wetlands to their natural state through the construction of water channels and the reorganization of their structure in a way that increases their capacity.
She added, “We came here for this special community work to share the journey of restoring these wetlands with local residents. It is a way of getting closer to the people who live nearby, showing them the progress made, and above all asking them to play an active role in protecting the wetlands, because when wetlands are degraded, their capacity to retain water is reduced.”
She further noted that although the rehabilitation works are expected to be completed in 2026, the role of wetlands is long-term.
She said, “A project may end on paper, but the work of wetlands is long-term. What we see today gives us confidence that in the coming years, Kigali will have wetlands that function well in preventing floods and ensuring the safety of residents.”
The Minister of Environment emphasized that protecting wetlands is not possible without the involvement of citizens, urging them to consider wetlands as their own valuable assets.
She said, “We urge you to protect them from waste, avoid damaging them, and treat them as assets that are beneficial to you. These wetlands will provide you with clean air, safer living environments, and employment opportunities.”
The Deputy Mayor of Kigali in charge of Infrastructure and Housing, Dusabimana Fulgence, emphasized that wetlands play a major role in preventing disasters caused by water flowing from the hills surrounding the city.
He said, “These wetlands must be allowed to perform their natural function. When they are damaged, water flows at high speed and causes floods. Protecting them is essential to building a safe and attractive Kigali.”
Dusabimana Fulgence also commended the Ministry of Environment and its partners for their role in the tree planting program, reminding that the City of Kigali has committed to planting three million trees by 2029, and stressing that tree planting must go hand in hand with protection in order to withstand climate change.
Some residents, including Umurerwa Josiane from Kacyiru Sector in Gasabo District, said that wetland rehabilitation is a solution to flooding problems.
She said, “When wetlands function well, water does not negatively affect us. We see that this wetland will help make our living environment better.”
Murego Richard also stated that although it was not a regular Umuganda day, participating was a responsibility for every citizen.
He said, “It is for the development of the country and for the benefit of future generations, which is why we participated.”
Currently, the City of Kigali has five wetlands under rehabilitation, namely Rwampara, Gikondo, Kibumba, Nyabugogo, Rugenge, and Rwintare, with the aim of increasing their capacity to retain water, prevent floods, and build a resilient city capable of addressing the impacts of climate change.
