Project Description
The Kagera basin which lies within the four countries of Burundi, Rwanda,Uganda and Tanzania is characterized by low productive peasant agriculture and endemic poverty, severe land degradation linked to loss of soil fertility caused by population pressure and primitive farming methods. The riparian countries rank among the world’s poorest countries. Land cover depletion including deforestation is widespread with almost total absence of reforestation activities. Soil erosion culminates in increased nutrient load in the river as well as in Lake Victoria, leading to severe problems of water hyacinth and eutrophication. The basin area has insufficient water for household use and for grazing despite the abundant water sources found in the area. Wetlands have been exploited and degraded, and there are cross border migrations of pastoralists which cause conflicts. Despite the challenges, Kagera basin holds significant opportunities for win-win development that could enhance food production, energy availability, transportation, industrial development, environmental conservation and other related sustainable development activities. Cooperative water resources management offers unique opportunities as catalysts for greater regional integration both socialeconomic and political with potential benefits exceeding those derived from the river itself. This requires a basin wide approach to management through a framework for sustainable trans-boundary development and management of the water resources.
Kagera Project is also preparing a small number of such development investment proposals for subsequent funding within a consistent development strategy, and enhances the abilities of managers and communities in the Basin to engage in trans-boundary development activities.
Project objective
To establish a sustainable cooperative framework for the joint management of the water resources of the Kagera River Basin; in order to prepare for sustainable development oriented investments that will improve the living conditions of the people while protecting the environment.
The project specific objectives are:
- Establishment of a sustainable cooperative framework for joint management of the shared water resources of the Kagera River Basin.
- Development of an investment strategy and conducting of pre-feasibility studies.
- Building capacity at all levels for sustainable management and development of Kagera River Basin.
- Implementing small-scale investment projects to build early confidence in
The Project Management Unit is located in Kigali, Rwanda. The projects cover 12 Provinces in Burundi, 28 Districts in Rwanda, 7 districts in Tanzania and 6 in Uganda
Impact Statement
The Kagera River Basin Project contributes to the improvement of living conditions of the basin communities through the social economic development, poverty reduction and reversal of nvironmental degradation.
Major Achievments
The project has accomplished the following tasks;
- Developed a cooperative framework
- Developed Kagera River Basin Monograph
- Started the procurement process for consultancy services to carry out prefeasibility studies for watershed management, agricultural development and water storage for multipurpose use in the Kagera Basin
- Completed the assessment and design of Hydrometric Network and procurement of hydrometric equipment ongoing.
- Developed a Capacity Building Plan, Gender Mainstreaming Strategy and Stakeholder participation plan.
- Facilitated re-tooling of the Kagera National Liaison officer.
- Conducted Capacity Building and Community awareness raising. 80 people participated on cross border tours, 10 community awareness workshops conducted, 32 Scientists and Engineers trained on Decision Support System, 40 experts trained in Kagera Basin Database. 40 experts trained in Mike Basin modelling software.
- Mobilised additional country financial support of the small scale projects. The Government of Burundi and Catholic Diocese of Muyinga has allocated USD 10,000 and USD 45,000 respectively (towards the Butihinda Water Supply Project). Tanzania contributed US$ 100,000 (towards the Kayanga water supply) and Uganda contributed USD 6,000 towards Katuna Water Supply Phase I and is to contribute US$ 170,000 construction of Phase II of Katuna Water Supply.
- Completed the following: Construction of Phase 1 of Katuna water serving over 7,000 people in the area; Construction of 15 rain water harvesting tanks in Nyagatare, Rwanda to 15 schools; Construction of Kayanga water supply system to 10,000 people in Kayanga town, Karagwe district in Tanzania. Construction of Butihinda Town in Rwanda water supply is ongoing.
- Carried out Agro forestry Projects as follows: Kabarole and Busoni district in Burundi; Rakai and Ntungamo districts in Uganda; Rulenge and Ngara Districts in Tanzania. Activities in Kirehe and Gicumbi Districts in Rwanda are still ongoing.
- Reviewed documents on the Kagera Navigability.
- Facilitated LVEMP II Preparatory activities for Rwanda and Burundi
Challenges
- Management of high expectation of the basin community for immediate tangible benefit.
- Limited human and institutional capacity to effectively execute identified Investment Programs and mobilization of resources for implementation of the investment opportunities
Lessons Learnt
- Implementation of small scale project provided good foundation for support and ownership for the projects already identified during the investment strategy stage.
- Involvement of stakeholders from the onset of project implementation helps in creating interest, sense of ownership and sustainability of the entire process of development of the joint basin cooperative framework and investment strategy.
Key outputs
- Kagera Cooperative Framework Report
- Kagera Monograph and Management Database
- Kagera Capacity Building Plan
- Kagera Gender Mainstreaming Strategy
- Kagera Stakeholder Participation Plan
- Design Report for Katuna Water Supply
- Katuna Water Supply Phase I completion Report
- Design Report for Butihinda Water Supply
- Kagera Hydro meteorological Assessment and Design Report
- Kagera Navigability Review Report
- Scientists and Engineers trained in Kagera Database and DSS
- LVEMP II preparatory study reports
Strategy to sustain the gains
- Lobby for political support to ensure that the institutional and legal framework for Kagera River Basin is agreed in order to facilitate investments.
- Lobby National governments to mobilize additional funding to facilitate implementation of the small and large scale investment projects already identified by the communities with RPSC members
- The continued involvement of stakeholders through consultative, participatory and bottom up approach will create more ownership and appropriation of the planned investment development projects and this will ensure sustainability of the gains.
- Linkage of Kagera Project activities to international, regional and individual riparian social development agendas is necessary to ensure commitment to the project activities at all levels