This announcement was made by Dr. Uwamariya Valentine, the Minister of Environment, during a discussion with members of the Senate's Commission on Social Affairs and Human Rights on June 16, 2025. The discussion followed a report on the findings of a visit to various islands in Rwanda.
Dr. Uwamariya explained that three research studies, conducted in 2012, 2014, and 2024, aimed to assess the biodiversity of Rwanda's islands and provide insights into their potential for development.
She highlighted that Rwanda's islands come in various categories, including inhabited and uninhabited islands, large and small, with some requiring the use of drones for assessment, land registration, and documentation.
In Rusizi District, there are seven islands, three of which are inhabited and registered under local residents, while four are uninhabited. In Nyamasheke, there are 40 islands, 35 of which are uninhabited and five are inhabited, but only two are registered under local residents.
In Karongi, there are 25 islands, all uninhabited and not registered under local residents, while in Rutsiro, there are 42 islands, with 40 uninhabited and two inhabited, one of which is registered.
Musanze has two islands in Lake Ruhondo, one inhabited and the other uninhabited. In Bugesera District, there are two islands, one inhabited and one uninhabited. In Akagera National Park, there are five uninhabited islands, and in the Rugezi Wetlands, there are 15 uninhabited islands, some of which are registered under local residents.
In total, Rwanda has 153 islands, of which 19 are inhabited by local communities, while the remaining 138 are uninhabited. Of the 19 inhabited islands, eight are permanently settled, including islands like Nkombo, Ishywa, Gihaya, Iwawa, Bugarura, Kirehe, Mushongo, and Birwa.
Dr. Uwamariya stated that the islands inhabited permanently by communities have the necessary infrastructure and legal land documentation, except for Iwawa Island, which is registered under the government.
However, there are also islands where people live temporarily, and these areas lack basic infrastructure. Providing infrastructure to these areas would require significant investment, more than relocating the inhabitants.
'The residents on these islands are living there but their land is registered under the government. The residents need to be relocated so they can access essential services such as water and electricity,' she emphasized.
The Minister also pointed out the challenges of protecting the residents living on the islands, especially when they continue to farm or engage in other activities on land that was initially intended for relocation but without the proper rights.
She noted that some residents claim the land as their ancestral property or say they bought it, but it is not formally registered. In Rutsiro, for example, some individuals have documents dating back to 1990, claiming they were granted the land, even though it is being eroded and lacks infrastructure.
To address these issues, Dr. Uwamariya announced that a ministerial order will be introduced to classify the islands as state-owned land under public property. The order has already been discussed with relevant stakeholders and is expected to be presented to the cabinet for approval in July this year.
Once the order is announced, a management and conservation plan will be implemented for each island, outlining what can and cannot be done on these islands. Additionally, illegal activities currently taking place on the islands will be halted.
The new order will also grant residents the right to sell land on the islands they currently occupy.
Dr. Uwamariya further revealed plans to designate some islands as protected areas, which could be included in Rwanda's UNESCO World Heritage sites due to their unique biodiversity. This initiative aligns with the country's efforts to preserve its natural heritage while ensuring sustainable development.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-to-streamline-management-of-islands
