Poor handling of garbage, coupled with toxic effluents from industrial, mining and garage activities continue to foment trouble that could ruin lives and marine wildlife in Rwanda’s river if unchecked, a new study revealed. An assessment report on pollution of the Nile Basin and associated water ecosystem basins in Rwanda singles out household waste as polluting water bodies the most, followed industrial establishments and car garages. While the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda which commissioned the research says that no assessment was done in the clinics or hospitals to determine the extent to which people are being affected, it estimated the loss of fisheries in the river at 15.6 per cent. There have been at least three separate mass fish death incidents across Rwanda’s water bodies including in the Mukungwa River in Musanze and its associated water pools used for fish production, Lake Kivu, and Lake Muhazi early this year. The Government cited the decline in oxygen in two of the incidents, and industrial pollution in the other. However, Dr. Jean Damascene Gashumba, lead researcher said all indications pointed to increased levels of pollutants namely chemicals, heavy metals and others potentially endangering soil, surface and groundwater. These, alongside climate change and absence of cleanup crews, instigated the loss of marine wildlife. “Floods particularly cause chemical and toxic runoff water from open air dumping sites to spread across interconnected water bodies. Without cleaning, different chemicals converge with adverse effect,” he said. Also, elevated levels of pollution linked to effluent and waste water from domestic outlets, municipal sewers, canning industries, food processing units affect microorganisms within water bodies. Researchers term the contaminants trouble for marine wildlife such as fish and obstruct normal activities in Nyabarongo and Akanyaru, which together with their many tributaries, form the River Akagera that feeds Lake Victoria. Rwanda Environment Management Authority has not responded to our queries regarding the study findings. However, players in the waste sector say rapid urbanisation has seen waste volumes increase at a pace that is unmatched by efforts and investments in waste management systems that are now overwhelmed. Source: Mass fish deaths expose wanton pollution of the water bodies Rwanda Today
Mu gitondo cyo kuri uyu wa Mbere tariki 25 Ukwakira 2021, Ishyaka Riharanira Demokarasi no Kurengera Ibidukikije ryatunguranye risohora itangazo ryirukana abarwanashyaka baryo babiri b’Imena bashinjwa ubugambanyi no gushaka gusenya ishyaka ‘baririmo’. Ntabwo ari ibintu byari biherutse muri iri shyaka rifite ibirango by’icyatsi kibisi, nyuma y’imyaka itatu rije mu mashyaka ya mbere atavuga rumwe n’ubutegetsi yinjiye mu Nteko Ishinga Amategeko, mu matora yabaye mu 2018. Abarwanashyaka birukanwe ni Mutabazi Ferdinand na Tuyishime Jean Déogratias wari ushinzwe itangazamakuru mu Ishyaka. Mutabazi yaherukaga mu itangazamakuru mu Ugushyingo 2020 ubwo yiburishaga ngo bivugwe ko Leta yamushimuse, kandi ari uburyo bwo guhunga amadeni yari abareyemo bamwe mu muryango we. Inkuru bijyanye: Yishyuye umuntu ngo amubohe byitwe ko yashimuswe: Amayeri y’Umuyoboke wa Green Party watabarizwaga Tuyishime we aheruka kuvugwa mu 2018 ubwo yakurwaga ku rutonde rw’abakandida mu matora y’Abadepite Green Party yari yatanze muri Komisiyo y’Amatora. Yakuweho nyuma y’uko bigaragaye ko hari urubanza yari yararezwemo n’abaturage bakamutsinda, ntabishyure. Amafaranga aturutse hanze … Mu kiganiro kirambuye Dr Frank Habineza uyobora Green Party yagiranye na IGIHE, yavuze ko Mutabazi ari we wari ku isonga ryo gusenya ishyaka, abifashijwemo n’abandi bantu bo hanze, bari baramwijeje amafaranga yo gushinga irindi shyaka. Mu bakekwaho gufasha Mutabazi harimo umutwe wa RNC. Icyo Dr Habineza ashingiraho, ngo ni uko mu Ugushyingo 2020 ubwo Mutabazi yaburirwaga irengero, abantu ba mbere babimenye ari urubuga rwa Internet rufitanye isano na RNC. Ati “Ikinyamakuru cyitwa Abaryankuna cya Cassien Ntamuhanga wo muri RNC nibo bahise bakora intabaza vuba cyane bashinja Leta kuba ariyo yabikoze, ko ntacyo ishyaka Green Party turi kubikoraho, ko umuntu bagiye kumwica. Nyamara twari twahagurutse.” “Twagiye mu Ruhango tubonana na RIB na Polisi baradufasha bose no ku rwego rw’igihugu tubonana n’abayobozi bakuru ba RIB, ibintu birakorwa kugira ngo hamenyekane aho ari.” Mutabazi amaze kuboneka, yabwiye IGIHE ko yari yiburishije kubera ibibazo by’amadeni yari afitiye umuryango, akabura kugira ngo “ mfate umwanya wo gutekereza ku bimbayeho kuko nari mfite n’ubukwe ku itariki 20 Ukuboza.” Nubwo kubura kwe yemeye ko yabigizemo uruhare, Dr Habineza yavuze ko amaze kuboneka yagiye avuga ko “yafunzwe azira ishyaka, byose ahita abihindura politiki.” Green Party ivuga ko uko iminsi yagiye ishira, Mutabazi yatangiye kugumura abarwanashyaka, abasaba kuva mu ishyaka bagashinga irindi ari nako abizeza ko mu ryo agiye gushinga bazajya bahabwa amafaranga menshi. Dr Habineza ati “Haciyeho igihe dutangira kumva ko agenda ahamagara abayobozi b’ishyaka ku rwego rw’uturere no ku rwego rw’intara, ababwira ngo muze dukore irindi shyaka ngo ririya shyaka ryacu nta mafaranga rifite, ntabwo baduhemba twese. Yababwiye ko ngo afite miliyoni zirenga ijana, ko nibatangira ishyaka azabaha amafaranga , agera n’aho abaza abandi barwanashyaka ngo bamufashe gushaka amazina y’ishyaka.” Yongeyeho ati “Twagiye twumva ibintu bigenda bifata indi ntera. Bivuze ko yari afite abantu bamukoreramo ari muri twebwe, ashaka kugenda adusenya.” Mu bantu bivugwa ko Mutabazi yahise ageraho abasaba gusenya Green Party, harimo Tuyishime Deogratias, wanagize uruhare mu kwandika sitati y’ishyaka rishya bari bagiye gushinga. Habineza ati “Bagendaga bavugana n’abayobozi b’ishyaka ku rwego rw’intara babakangurira kuva mu ishyaka, ngo bagende babasange cyangwa se ngo bashyireho abandi badepite.” Mu byatumye Tuyishime atera umugongo ishyaka, icya mbere gikekwa ni uburakari yatewe no gukurwa ku rutonde rw’abari kuvamo Abadepite ba Green Party habura umunsi umwe amatora abe mu 2018. Komite ishinzwe imyitwarire muri Green Party ni yo yasabye nyobozi gufata umwanzuro wo kwirukana abo barwanashyaka “kugira ngo turebe ko twakumira kuko twasanze dukomeje kujenjeka ahubwo byatugiraho isura mbi.” Dr Habineza yavuze ko ibyakozwe n’abo barwanashyaka ari ‘ubugambanyi’ butagomba gucecekwa. Nubwo ari icyasha kuri iri shyaka rimaze imyaka 12 rishinzwe, Habineza yavuze ko “nta gikuba cyacitse kubera ko twashoboye gukumira icyaha mbere y’uko kiba. Byari kuba ikibazo iyo tuza kurangara bagasenya ishyaka turirimo tutarabibonye.” Green Party ntiratangaza niba hari izindi ngamba izafatira abo barwanashyaka birukanywe nko kuba bagezwa mu nkiko, gusa ngo nibiba ngombwa bazabiganiraho. Source: Ishyaka ryari rigiye gusenyeshwa miliyoni ijana: Intandaro yo kwirukana ‘abagambanyi’ muri Green Party IGIHE.com
The Central Executive Committee of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda after getting advice from the Party’s Ethics and Disciplinary Committee on matters concerning acts of treachery and misconduct by: Mr.TUYISHIME Jean Deogratious and Mr.MUTABAZI Ferdinand, whom have been harboring treacherous plans of destroying the party from within by creating another political party, which they say they have resources and support from people outside the country. They have been mobilizing several party leaders to join them in those acts of treachery. It was evident that they are not men of integrity and have no values of the party as they have been breaching Party laws and the National Law Regulating Conduct of Politicians and Political Organizations as amended to-date, decided to Expel them from the Party with immediate effect. It should be recalled that Mr.TUYISHIME Jean Deogratious was removed from the Party’s parliamentary candidates after the National Electoral Commission, presented a court-case which had been submitted by several concerned citizens concerning refusal to pay debts, abuse of law and lack of integrity. He submitted a letter to the Electoral Commission resigning his candidature, one day before elections. Lack of integrity also applies to Mr.MUTABAZI Ferdinand whom in November last year staged a self-kidnap and enforced disappearance after failing to pay debts owed to his brother-in-law and wanted to politicize his disappearance and blame it to national security organs and therefore cause a political conflict between the party and state organs. Green Party cadre fake kidnap claims exposed > IGIHE UBUVUGIZI: MUTABAZI FERDINAND WO MURI GREEN PARTY YABURIWE IRENGERO HASHIZE IMINSI ITATU – ABARYANKUNA The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, would also like to inform the public that the above mentioned no-longer hold any leadership position within party structures. Done at Kigali, 24th October 2021 Dr.Frank HABINEZA [MP] President, DGPR
Komite Nyobozi Nshingwabikora y’Ishyaka Riharanira Demokarasi no Kurengera Ibidukikije mu Rwanda (DGPR), nyuma yo kugirwa Inama na Komite Nkemurampaka y Ishyaka, kuwa 24 Ukwakira 2021, kubijyanye ni myitwarire mibi yagiye iranga bamwe mubarwanashyaka bayo bagizwe na Bwana Tuyishime Jean Deogratious na Bwana Mutabazi Ferdinand aho byagaragaye ko bafite imigambi mibisha kandi y’ubugambanyi yo gusenya Ishyaka barisenyera muryo benda gushinga bavuga ko babiterwamo inkunga n’abari hanze y’igihugu, kandi byagaragaye ko bamaze igihe bakangurira bamwe mubayobozi b’Ishyaka gufatanya nabo muri uwo mugambi mubisha. Byakomeje kugaragagara ko nta bunyangamugayo bwabaranze cyangwa indangagaciro z Ishyaka ndetse no kunyuranya n’amategeko y’Ishyaka ndetse n itegeko rigenga imyitwarire y’abanyapolitike n imitwe ya politike mu Rwanda, bwafashe icyemezo cyo kwirukana burundu mw’Ishyaka abo bavuzwe haruguru. Twabibutsa ko Bwana TUYISHIME Jean Deogratious, yakuwe kuri liste ya burundu y’abakandida b’Ishyaka mu matora yabagize Inteko Nshingamategeko [Parliamentary candidates], nyuma y’ukwo Komisiyo y’igihugu y’ Amatora yeretse abayobozi b’Ishyaka ’dossier’ y’urubanza abaturage batandukanye bari baramurezemo kubyaha by’ubwambuzi, kubura ubunyangamugayo, nokutubaha amategeko. Nyuma yibwo yemeye kwandikira Komisiyo y’Igihugu y’Amatora, akuramo kandidature ye umunsi umwe mbere y’amatora y’abadepite. N’anone twabibutsa ko Bwana Mutabazi Ferdinand, utuye mu Karere ka Ruhango, mu mpera z umwaka ushije (Ugushingo), y’iburishije irengero nyuma yokutishura imyenda yari abereyemo muramu we, akaba yarashakaga kubihindura ibibazo byapolitike bigaragare ko ari inzego z’umutekano zabikoze noneho agonganishe Ishyaka DGPR n’Inzego za Leta. UBUVUGIZI: MUTABAZI FERDINAND WO MURI GREEN PARTY YABURIWE IRENGERO HASHIZE IMINSI ITATU – ABARYANKUNA Yishyuye umuntu ngo amubohe byitwe ko yashimuswe: Amayeri y’Umuyoboke wa Green Party watabarizwaga | IGIHE Yishyuye umuntu ngo amubohe byitwe ko yashimuswe: Amayeri y’Umuyoboke wa Green Party watabarizwaga YouTube Amashirakinyoma ku ibura n’iboneka rya Ferdinand Mutabazi wa Green Party Rwanda Tribune Ubuyobozi bukuru bw Ishyaka DGPR buramenyesha abaturarwanda bose ko Bwana Tuyishime Jean Deogratious na Bwana Mutabazi Ferdinand batanakiri no mu myanya y ubuyobozi bari barimo. Bikorewe I Kigali, kuwa 24 Ukwakira 2021. Dr.Frank HABINEZA [Depite] Perediza w’Ishyaka DGPR
A new research has established that at 47.8 per cent household waste is the leading cause of pollution in Nyabarongo River. Household waste mainly comprised of rubbish, garbage and sewage enter Nyabarongo River through the ravine Nyabugogo swamp that connects to it. With a length of 351 km, Nyabarongo is Rwanda’s major and longest river. The research carried out from April to October 2021 and commissioned by Democratic Green Party also found out that the absence of soil erosion control accounts for 24.4 per cent of the factors that pollute the river. At a rate of 10 per cent, industrial waste is ranked 3rd in polluting Nyabugogo swamp. The industrial effluents and by-products are discharged in the water bodies by a number of industries in the Kigali City wetland system including a textile industry, the iron industry which manufactures iron sheets, paint factories and the Kabuye sugar factory among others, the report says. High levels of zinc, researchers say, were detected in the river—which can potentially cause a wide range of medical problems to the human body including birth defects, loss of smell and organ damage. The quality of Nyabarongo River was also found to be deteriorating due to washing of minerals, mining activities in rivers that feed it, dumping mineral waste left-over soil and discharging wastewater into the river. Apart from the poisonous chemicals, the report shows, mining companies are also aiding the massive loss of topsoil which is channelled into Nyabarongo River, which is partly why the river has a distinct brown colour. Car garages waste and waste from livestock are among the sources of pollution in the water body. Effects of pollution on Nyabarongo River According to the study, many respondents during the research confirmed that diseases arise due to polluted water from the Nyabarongo River. Researchers also said that the pollution may cause diseases such as cancer due to heavy metals that are found in the river. In addition, the microbes in the river cause water-borne diseases like diarrhoea and cholera. However, they said that there is no assessment yet done in the clinics or hospitals showing the extent to which people are being affected or sick because of using contaminated polluted water of Nyabarongo River. The contamination has also endangered the biodiversity of the river, killing birds, fish, and plants. Damascene Gashumba, a researcher said: “Some species such as birds are no longer visible yet we used to observe them in nature around the rivers. Waste discharged into Nyabarongo and Akagera Rivers have led to the loss of biodiversity such as fish and frogs among many others.” Challenges hampering protection of Nyabarongo River At least 51per cent of the people in the local community, the study found, are not involved in the protection of the river. 24 per cent said they were financially constrained while 23 per cent lacked the skills in river protection. The study recommends the establishment of a catchment management plan, more terraces and planting trees, law enforcement in protecting the buffer zone as well as increased inspections to fight encroachment. It also recommends education and awareness about conservation in the community and further research to provide more data about the pollution of Nyabarongo based on each causal agent for its pollution. The river begins its course at the confluence of Mbirurume and Mwogo Rivers in southwestern part of the country. The river serves as the boundary between the Northern and Southern Provinces, then between the City of Kigali and the Southern Province as well as between the City of Kigali and the Eastern Province. editor@newtimesrwanda.com Source: Nyabarongo River is being wrecked by human, industrial waste, says report | The New Times | Rwanda
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda has launched research findings that show unusual high levels of water pollution for the Nile Basin Area in Rwanda, especially in the Nyabarongo and Akagera rivers. The study unveiled this Sunday, was conducted from April-October 2021 by several scientists headed by Dr. Jean Damascene Gashumba assisted by Jean Marie Vianey Mwiseneza, all from the Party’s Environmental Committee. The research attributed to the rapid-city population growth has increased population growth 4.0% per year which results in anthropogenic activities such as Agriculture, industry, mining, household, car-garages and so on. “This expansion has negatively affected water quality and wastewater management in the city. Therefore, there is an elevation level in pollution which has been reported in Nyabarongo River, a major source of River Nile,” the report said. The report showed how each of the sectors has polluted the two rivers. With Household waste leading at 45.6% (n=41), composed mainly of: rubbish, garbage and sewage are being produced everyday by city residents surrounding Nyabugogo swamp with waste being directly rejected in the ravine. Industrial wastes 15.6% (n=14) came second with industrial effluents and by-products are directly discharged in the water bodies. “The industrial pollutants are for the most part toxic to humans, animals and water in some instances and also interfere with the environment by polluting soils. High levels of Zinc were detected in the river after Kigali went downstream,” the lead researcher Gashumba said. Zinc causes a wide range of medical problems to the human body including birth defects, loss of smell and organ damage. “The level of zinc is undetectable upstream of the Nyabugogo River and starts to increase especially after the Kabuye sugar refinery factory where the highest peak of zinc level all along the Nyabugogo River is located,” reads the study which also stated that the acidity of Nyabarongo river was also found to be unusually high. These were followed by wastes from car garage 13.3% (n=12), crop harvesting 7.8% (n=7), wastes from livestock 6.7% (n=6) while some other respondents view that there are other sources that actually lead to pollution in Nyabarongo river at the rate of 11.1% (n=10) The report was very specific on the mining sector showing how mining water waste ends up in the rivers especially in Nyabarongo, from Rutongo and Gatumba mining site. The report stated that the quality of Nyabarongo River was found to be deteriorating due to washing of minerals, mining in rivers that feed it, dumping mineral waste left-over soil and discharging waste water into the river from mining companies. These companies include: Rwanda Rudniki Company, AFRISET, AFRICOME INTERNATIONAL Ltd, SOREMI Intego, and Cyamazima Berthe, which were recorded in sending mineral waste left-over soil to Nyabarongo River near Nyabarongo hydro power plant located in Mushishiro sector, Matyazo cell. “Apart from the poisonous chemicals, mining companies are also aiding the massive loss of top soil which is channeled into Nyabarongo River. It is part of the reason Nyabarongo has a distinct brown color,” the report said. Effects and way forward The effects of water pollution in Nyabarongo are mostly human diseases that infect people who use it where it is rated at 80%, loss of fish in the rivers at about 15.6%, cause of hunger 2.2% and 2.2% , animal disease. Yet respondent findings show that most local community members are not interested in the protection of the river 51.1% whereas others face the problem of financial issues 24.4% and low skills concerning its protection 23.3%, and a few of them 1.1% do not face any challenge in doing what they do. The researchers recommended among others, good household waste management and community engagement especially that any actions such as planting bamboo around the River are being implemented in protecting the River but still some challenges are being faced. “Local communities must be aware of the protection of the River, but also leaders in different fields provide any means regarding the protection either financially or collaborating with the local community for sustainable protection of Nyabarongo River” the report said. DGPR President, Dr. Frank Habineza said that these findings will be tabled to the government for action, especially to the executive authority to work together with scientific researchers and local communities in order to increase awareness and provide full information on conservation. Source: Quality of Nyabarongo Water Deteriorating – Research – KT PRESS
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda launched research findings on Water Pollution study on the Nile Basin area in Rwanda-Case study, River Nyabarongo on 16th October 2021. The study was done between April-Otober 2021. It was conducted by several party scientists headed by Dr.Jean Damascene Gashumba who was deputized by the Party’s Environmental Commissioner, Jean Marie Vianey Mwiseneza. Nyabarongo is the major and longest River in Rwanda, with a total length of 351 km (218 miles). It begins its course at the confluence of Mbirurume and Mwogo Rivers in South-western part of the country. Flowing north, then south-east and passes through Kigali Capital City. The city is rapidly expanding with increased population growth 4.0% per year (Nduwayezu et al., 2016) which results into anthropogenic activities such as Agriculture, industry, mining, household, car-garages and so on. This expansion has negatively affected water quality and wastewater management in the city. Therefore, there is elevation level in pollution which has been reported in Nyabarongo River which is major source of River Nile. The main objective of the study was to produce a situational assessment report on the pollution of the water of Nile Basin and its associated Water ecosystems Basins in Rwanda, whereas the specific of objectives are the following: Identify the major source and type of water pollution in Nyabarongo River. Find out the effects of Nyabarongo river pollution on ecosystem around the river find out challenges with regards to the protection of Nyabarongo River. Find strategies and policy recommendation for the protection of Nyabarongo River. Causes of water pollution in Rwanda: Mining waste: The water draining the mining sectors of Rutongo and Gatumba pollute River Nyabarongo and Nyabugogo swamp by sediments of clay and sand which they transport over long distances. It is this considerable mineral load which partly gives the brown water color that is characteristic of several rivers in Rwanda. Mining and quarrying produce massive rejects which appear in nature in the form of enormous lots of earth and rocks. Household waste: There has been an increasing concern about household waste collection and treatment. Solid wastes, rubbish, garbage and sewage are being produced everyday by city residents and this is also one of the main causes water pollution. Agricultural waste: Rejects from agricultural waste and poor methods of farming leading to soil erosion have dramatically polluted river Nyabarongo. Industrial Waste: The industrial effluents and by-products are directly discharged in the water bodies. These industries have been responsible for water pollution through their chemical discharges. The textile industry, the iron industry and Kabuye sugar factory are one of the main pollutants. Car garage waste: They are many different chemical substances and processes used at an auto mechanic workshop, which are potentially dangerous both to the environment and to the health of human beings as well as animals. It was clear from the results of the analytical studies of the physicochemical parameters and heavy metals determination of both soil and groundwater from auto- mechanic villages that there is a high degree of contamination and pollution. This expansion has negatively affected water quality management in the city, especially wastewater management. Elevated levels of pollution have been reported in some of the major rivers passing through the City of Kigali, such as Nyabugogo River and Mpazi River. The Nyabugogo Swamp feeds into the Nyabarongo River and is major outlet of the City of Kigali and it receives all the wastewater from City. Research Findings on Source of pollutants: Household wastes are 45.6% (n=41), Industrial wastes 15.6% (n=14), Car-garage 13.3% (n=12), Crop harvesting 7.8% (n=7), Wastes from livestock 6.7% (n=6) other sources that actually lead to pollution in Nyabarongo river at the rate of 11.1% (n=10) DETAILS OF RESEACH FINDINGS AND EFFECTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Major source and type of water pollution in Nyabarongo River 1.1.Households waste Household waste, composed of mainly of: rubbish, garbage and sewage are being produced everyday by City residents surrounding Nyabugogo swamp and the proceed waste is directly rejected in the ravine that leads to Nyabugogo swamp. The data revealed that majority of the household waste are being generated highly than other means of activities that contribute to waste generating. The higher the waste generated the greater the probability of polluting water bodies nearby. Most of the respondents agreed that household waste leads to greater water pollution in Nyabarongo river at a rate of 47,8%. 1.2.Agricultural waste The growth of crop production has been achieved by Nyabarongo river surrounding communities through the intensive use of inputs such as pesticides and chemical fertilizers. The trend has been amplified by the expansion of agricultural land, with irrigation playing a strategic role in improving productivity and rural livelihoods while also transferring agricultural pollution to water bodies because it is done without respecting soil erosion control and other ecosystem protection measures. Nyabarongo’s landscape is consisted with many hills and mountains with occurrence of soil erosion that leads to the river and consequently results into water pollution. In fact, water scarcity is a major threat for rain-fed agriculture depending on type of crops grown. The over-exploitation of plant and animal biodiversity in water bodies is also an issue impacting negatively on the services of the swamps. Rwanda Environment Management Authority states that the reduction of vegetation cover leads to evaporation of water by direct radiation, a reduction of the function of sediments retention and flood control, a gradual erosion of biodiversity (REMA, 2005). This research ranks the agriculture water pollution at second place at a rate of 24.4%. 1.3.Industrial waste The industrial effluents and by-products are discharged in the water bodies. A number of industries in the Kigali City wetland system include the textile industry, the iron industry which manufactures iron sheets, paint factories and the Kabuye sugar factory among others. These industries have been responsible for water pollution by the chemical discharges from the industries. The pollutants are for the most part toxic to humans, animals and water in some instances and also interfere with the environment by polluting soils (High levels of Zinc were detected in the river after Kigali going downstream. Zinc causes a wide range of medical problems to the human body including birth defects, loss of smell and organ damage. “The level of zinc is undetectable upstream of the Nyabugogo River and starts to increase especially after the Kabuye sugar refinery factory where the highest peak of zinc level all along the Nyabugogo River is located,” reads the study. The acidity of Nyabarongo river was also found to be unusually higher. The industrial waste is ranked at 3rd place in polluting Nyabugogo swamp at a rate of 10% 1.4.Mining waste The water drainage from mining sectors of Rutongo and Gatumba pollute Nyabarongo river and Nyabugogo swamp by sediments of clay and sand which they transport over long distances. It is this considerable mineral load which partly gives them the brown color that is characteristic of the rivers in Rwanda. Mining and quarrying produce massive rejects which appear in nature in the form of enormous lots of earth and rocks. Erosion from rain water transports the mineral residue towards the valleys where streams are filled and covered by the residue which may be toxic to biodiversity (Rwanda Environment Management Authority, 2008). The quality of Nyabarongo River was found to be deteriorating due to washing of minerals, mining in rivers that feed it, dumping mineral waste left-over soil and discharging waste water into the river. Companies such as Rwanda Rudniki Company, AFRISET, AFRICOME INTERNATIONAL Ltd, SOREMI Intego, and Cyamazima Berthe, all sent mineral waste left-over soil to Nyabarongo River near Nyabarongo hydro power plant located in Mushishiro sector, Matyazo cell. Apart from the poisonous chemicals, mining companies are also aiding the massive loss of top soil which is channeled into Nyabarongo River. It is part of the reason Nyabarongo has a distinct brown color. 1.5.Car garage waste There are many different chemicals, substances and processes used at an auto mechanic workshop, which are potentially dangerous both to the environment and to the health of human beings as well as animals. It was clear from the results of the analytical studies of the physicochemical parameters and heavy metals determination of both soil and groundwater from auto- mechanic villages that there is a high degree of contamination and pollution. It has been observed that various pollutants including the heavy metals and oil and grease build up to very high concentrations in the soil, and thereby percolate into the groundwater, thereby posing great hazards to people who consume the water, and also great hazards to the soil. The soil quality becomes compromised, thus posing challenges to groundwater due to seepage during the raining season. This not only affects the human population that depends on such water, but the soil fauna is equally decimated. 2. Effects of Nyabarongo river pollution on ecosystem around the river 2.1. Diseases that infects people who use it where it is rated on 80% Many respondent during our research confirmed that diseases arise due to Polluted water from Nyabarongo river. Generally, when water exceeds the auto purification where it is unable to be purified it is taken as polluted water and this may cause some diseases such as Cancer due to heavy metals that may be found in the river but also microbes in the river cause different water borne diseases like diarrhea and cholera. But there is no assessment yet done in the clinics or hospitals showing the extent to which people are being affected or sick because of using contaminated polluted water of Nyabarongo river. 2.2. Loss of fisheries in the river Oil spill creates a great concern as a big quantity of oil goes into the river and does not dissolve with water; thus opens trouble for local marine wildlife such as fish, birds and sea otters. The effluents and waste water from domestic outlets, municipal sewage, canning industries, food processing units also affects microorganism that are within water bodies. This contaminant is also accountable for endangering water birds, plants and unfavorably disturbing the usual activities. Loss of fisheries in the river was rated on 15.6% 2.3. Hunger Nyabarongo took more of the soil due to rain and presence of soil erosion, this impacts the productivity on the cultivated land due to degradation of soil. The lower the productivity the lower the living standard of one’s family, as well as the entire country will be affected. 3. Challenges with regards to the protection of Nyabarongo River. Most the people in the local community are not involved in the protection of the river as it was revealed on the rate of 51.1% whereas others face the problem of financial issue 24.4%, while other part of interviewee said that they face a challenge of low skills for river protection 23.3% and few number of interviewee 1.1% said that they do not face any challenge in protection of Nyabarongo river. Recommendations to: The government: ü Establishment of catchment management plan in maintaining the river basins ü Digging terraces and planting trees where necessary, this may not be necessary to plant not only around Nyabarongo river but also anywhere else nearby water body. ü Law enforcement: implementing the law concerning the maintenance of all rivers in common: the interval of ten meters to the river is considered as buffer zone of that river, no one or any activity is allowed to be done in that area unless it is concerned with environmental management of that area. ü Inspection: including the punishment to people and activities that are done illegally and in destroying environment. Local Communities Through different communities there is a need of being familiar with environment and to be aware of conserving it. This will be the benefit for them and for the nature specifically to Nyabarongo river’ water quality Further researchers Further research is needed to provide more data about the pollution of Nyabarongo basing on each causal agent for its pollution. Executive authorities (decision makers) The executive authorities have to work together with local communities in order to increase awareness and provide full information to them.Also, Executive authorities have to collaborate with scientists (researchers) as well as taking into consideration what have been found and published by the researchers. N.B: Attached document has figures
Communities supposed to be worried about the fate of Rwanda’s most significant river are actually the ones who are its biggest threat, a new study suggests. The findings of a research commissioned by the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR) shows that the waste produced in our homes is biggest cause of Nyabarongo river pollution”. Nyabarongo River is a major river in Rwanda, with a total length of 351 km (218 miles) the longest river in Rwanda. The river begins its course at the confluence of the rivers Mbirurume and Mwogo in south west of the country. Flowing north, then southeast passing Kigali. The Green Party study released Saturday says solid wastes, rubbish, garbage and sewage are being produced everyday by our urban society – some of it ending up in Nyabarongo river. Nearly half of respondents (45.6%) interviewed for the study said household waste was to blame for the river’s fate. Other source of waste polluting the river highlighted include industrial wastes 15.6%, wastes from car garage 13.3%, crop harvesting 7.8%, and wastes from livestock 6.7%. The study was done by Dr Gashumba Damascene, an environment researcher and campaigner. ALSO READ: Nyabarongo River’s Poisonous Water Green Party leader Dr Frank Habineza said they will not stop agitating until action is taken to clean up river Nyabarongo. “As a political party and as Parliamentarians, we are going to continue to advocate for the implementation of the environmental law directives,” he said. “We will do that in Parliament, Political Organizations Consultative Forum, the media and wherever we have an opportunity to do so.” “The law dictates 30 meters buffer zone from all rivers and lakes , to do agricultural activities but local authorities do not enforce that. This has to change.” The research says many actions such as planting bamboos around the River are being implemented to protect the River but that such actions face challenges as they are not enforced widely by the authorities. The findings are surprising because existing information has put most of the blame for Nyabarongo’s problems on industrial and mining waste which is poured into the river upstream where there are dozens of mining companies. Source: ‘Household Waste is Nyabarongo River Biggest Polluter’ – THE CHRONICLES
Officials from the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda have warned that they will not remain silent or give up unless the existing issues in environmental degradation are resolved. The warning was made on October 16, 2021, during the release of findings of the study which was conducted by the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda to find out the source of Nyabarongo river pollution which also damages other rivers in the Nile Basin. Dr Gashumba Damascène, who led the study, said that 47.8% of causes of water pollution comes from household waste, 24.4% are contributed by poor agriculture, 18.8% of industrial waste and poor mining activities contribute 10% of the pollution. He said that water pollution affects human and animal health, where 80% of people suffer from water-borne diseases, while at the same time causing death of aquatic organisms amounting to 15.6% and this leads to starvation. Dr Gashumba added that the community should be educated about environment protection as they themselves experience the consequences of the degradation and pollution. Dr Frank Habineza, the party’s leader, told reporters that a five-month study on the pollution of the Nyabarongo river had found a number of pollutants coming from households level while others come from industries, carwash and garages, Mining and quarrying sites and other amount of pollution of waste water and other types of chemicals that come from Nduba dump site from which everything immediately goes into Nyabarongo river which also exports to the Nile river. He says there are laws and regulations but the people do not comply with them. He cited the example of people who cultivate or violate the integrity of river banks, noting that the local authorities should take action to avoid people who dump waste in the rivers or those who conduct human activities across the river banks. On the Nduba dump site, Dr Habineza said that the city of Kigali should take tangible actions rather than always making the promises that the problem is going to be resolved. “I know the city of Kigali has said it will resolve the problem, they have always said they will do it, it’s on the way, those promises need to be put into action. ” He said Dr Habineza noted that they will never stop to request authorities to do what they are supposed to do because among the responsibilities of the Democratic Green Party is to speak for the people. He added that water pollution will bring disease to children and adults due to the waste that are dumped into the rivers, and people who use water in their daily lives are left to suffer from various diseases including cancer. Source: Democratic Green Party of Rwanda vows not remain silent over Environmental degradation TOP AFRICA NEWS
