Bahoneza – Kinyarwanda, Rwanda Welfare, Social Welfare, Rwanda People, Nutrition and Diet, Rwanda Habitat, Living in Kigali

 Rwamagana residents and those who intend to reside in the area have been reminded to be careful of the new urban area demarcation proposal for the District borders which has changed many places in the District.

This proposal expects that Rwamagana town will be where the yellow colour passes, places like Byimana, Nyakabungo, Kavura, Kanywiriri, Plage, Ramba, Rusave, Kirehe, Kigega, Umuganura, Kayenzi, Busanza, Rurembo, Bigabiro, Kabeza, Biraro, Kabuye, Kamata, Cyahafi, Karutimbo and Miyange will make up this town.

In these areas only houses that meet the requirements of the town master plan will be accepted there and those who will not follow these regulations their buildings will be demolished.

Places that are circled by red colour will be neighbouring Rwamagan town and those places are Cyiri, Umunini, Rwagahaya, Abakina, Akanogo, Shaburondo, Akabeza, Rubirizi, Kibare, Kingondo, Nyarugarama, Mugusha, Agatare, Karambo, Kidogo, Cyeru, Umubuga, Akagarama, Mpingu, Gahondo, Akatorero, Karuhayu, Gahonogo, Kamanga, Bacyoro, Kabuga, Bugugu, Gasharu and Cyimpima.

In this proposal of Rwamagana district, villages of Akubugingo, Rugarama, Marembo, Rubona Gituza, Mugogo, Kamirindi, Kampigika and Nyamugari that had been taken in Kigali city neighbouring villages in the past are now in Rwamagana district.

The residential plan in Rwamagana town and its neighboring places will be decided by the advisory council of Rwamagana district before the end of September 2012.

One of the proofs that a city is safe, especially in residential areas, is the serenity during the night.

These zones are normally situated far from industrial zones. Residential zones are places where people take the opportunity to rest and refresh their mind.

Noise pollutions in our residential areas is not well managed and you’ll find a bad habit of some people entertaining friends with much noisy music, all the night long without caring for their neighbours.

This behaviour should be avoided. Few people actually don’t know that noise pollution is a crime, but it is.

Kigali, like other cities has so many night clubs and pubs; they however should fulfil norms and required infrastructures for that business especially soundproof walls. Besides, they are asked to have sufficient parking lots for their clients ‘vehicles.

Various functions taking place in home premises should also be controlled as to the issue of managing noises. Some of these premises have been turned into unrecognized night clubs that can make noise up to the morning hours.

On that, urban local authorities mostly in our capital city, in conjunction with the citizens themselves should take the lead to sensitize people on the danger of entertaining noise pollution. Disturbing neighbours is indiscipline.

These noises have two major side effects that bring insecurity; the first is making people uncomfortable when they need to rest. In that situation you’ll find people incapable of turning up at the work because of the noise sick due to the sleepless night caused by the restless noisy music.

The second is the conducive environment created by noise pollution easing the business of criminals, for instance breaking in houses, stealing, killing or consuming drugs, capitalizing on much noise prevailing in the area.

According to police, pubs’ owners should be responsible enough in their area of operation and report to security organs any suspicious move around their premises in order to intervene on time

The crime of night disturbance according to Rwandan Penal Code in its article 600 punishes the crime. If found guilty  the suspect is convicted from 8 days to 2 months of imprisonment and a fine of between Rwf50,000 and  Rwf1 million or one of these penalties.

Ngororero District township, at the market area has recently been blessed with fresh fish harvested from fishing cooperative ponds of Imyumviremyiza in the area.

For people who know much about this district said that this fish harvest is the first time and getting fresh fish is like a dream and this caught many by surprise as they lined at the stand where this cooperative was selling the fish and even caused a commotion.

Though there are many fish ponds in this district for many years they had not produces any fish as those who did fish farming didn’t have experience of caring about fish until the Ministry in charge decided to give these fish ponds to responsible farmers including Imyumviremyiza cooperative.

The first harvest of this cooperative was got from Bwavu fish ponds in Nyange cell in Ngororero sector and the objective of this cooperative is to promote fish farming and to prove wrong people who said that this district cannot produce fish as Jean Nsanzamahoro the president of this cooperative explained.

Jean Nsanzamahoro also said that they brought this fish to market not hoping to sell much and that’s why they sold a Kilogram at 1500 francs but they realized that residents of Ngororero district love fish and they are afraid they might not fulfil their demand.

Though fish that was sold looked like they were harvested when they are still young, this cooperative said that that was their original size and that they were harvested with the help of PAIGELAC (Projet d’Appui a l’Amenegement Integre et a la Gestion des Lacs Interieurs) a project that works with the Ministry of Agriculture.

Fish farming in Ngororero district is done in 3 places including waters of Byuzi and Kazabe, the lake in Gatumba sector and about 100, 000 fish were planted in them all.

As a way of fighting malnourishment, every home in Bugesera district has been encouraged to have a kitchen garden (akarima k’igikoni) so that vegetables are eaten often.

Having akarima k’igikoni does not require one to have a big space because of the way it can be made to fit on a small area.

Kitchen garden (Akarima k’igikoni)

Goretti Nyiramana, community health worker of Rwaniro cell in Gashoro sector asserts that a kitchen garden is a must have for every home because it’s the easiest way of fighting malnutrition.

“Akarima k’igikoni is the simplest way of growing vegetables without a big area and expensive materials. You can use old basins, buckets and others can be used to grow carrots, onions and cabbages,” says Goretti Nyiramana.

Jeanne Mukandayisenga, a nutritionist at ADEPR Nyamata Hospital encourages parents to care for their children and prevent malnutrition.

“It’s not necessary to buy vegetables when there is an easy way of having your garden,” adds Mukandayisenga.

Mukandayisenga elaborates that what makes the whole process simple and affordable is the fact that vegetables can be grown as flowers in flower pots or vases and look like decorations when catered for.

In order to fight malnutrition in Bugesera, a team of people was chosen for making kitchen gardens in every home and giving them seeds to grow.

Burera district denounced that measures to fight malnutrition have been taken and in two years to come it will be history.

During the security meeting on March 26^th 2012, Mayor Samuel Sembagare disclosed that social affairs officials and local leadership will combine efforts to fight against malnutrition in the district.

Sembagare explains that malnutrition cases among children in this area are a result of parents’ ignorance because Burera has fertile soils for enough crops.

“Parents will be taught how to prepare well balanced food by encouraging them to have kitchen gardens and to give their children milk and eggs,” reveals Samuel Sembagare

He adds that the decisions taken will help eradicate malnutrition; that is through Girinka program where the beneficiaries give heifers to their neighbours so that all get milk and other cow benefits.

It is not right for Burera to have malnutrition problems when it is rich with all crops that could be used in balancing the diet, says Sembagare.

Dr. Tharcisse Mpunga, Butaro Hospital Director in Burera says that 231 children under 5 years and 26 children over 5 years of age have malnutrition problems in this district.   

In order to save their lives from the dangers of living on hilly areas of Nyabinoni, residents have decided to evacuate the area to the place prepared for them.

Leaders visit residents and explain to them why they should shift

Muhanga district representatives have spent four days explaining to the residents the reason they should shift and decide together to shift from this area in order to save their lives from landslides and stones that roll over from hills down to their homes.

Daniel Semahoro, one of the residents who are shifting to Rongi sector says that transferring is in the interest of residents because Rongi is good compare to the hilly area they have been living in.

Laurent Ntabwanganimana adds that they are shifting to the place with water unlike before when they have been walking miles to fetch water.

Yvonne Mutakwasuku, Muhanga district Mayor discloses that the government of Rwanda saw it good to shift residents to Rongi sector in a village where former Gishwati forest residents and those from Tanzania are settled.

A committee has been put in place to take care of compensation issues where residents have to be compensated in the beginning of the financial year with the cooperation from concerned authorities, says Mutakwasuku.

This was confirmed by Housing authorities and the public institution in charge of housing and different ministries after evaluation.

The evacuated areas are to be planted trees in order to prevent it from soil erosion and residents who had fields in this place will be allowed to continue cultivating.