By the late 1990s, after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda’s forest cover had fallen sharply, dropping to around 10% of the country’s land area. Recognizing the threat to biodiversity, water catchments, and soil fertility, the government placed forest restoration at the centre of environmental policy. ALSO READ: October 1: A call to Rwanda’s youth to guard the gift of peace together Today, Rwanda has made forests a pillar of its “green growth” vision. According to the ministry of environment, forest cover has rebounded to 30.4% of the national territory. This progress, according to officials, could not have happened without green patriotism, a term used to imply showing love and loyalty to one’s country by protecting its environment. ALSO READ: A look at new efforts to expand Rwanda’s forest cover, restore landscapes Instead of only associating patriotism with military service or national pride, it highlights actions like tree planting, water conservation, waste reduction, biodiversity protection, and climate action as national duties. Across the country, the youth are especially embracing green patriotism by creating initiatives to fight environmental pollution and land degradation. ‘Environment protection is integral to sovereignty and development’ Arlette Umugwaneza, an employee of Green Care Rwanda Ltd, a company that transforms biowaste into organic fertilisers in Huye District, said the company turned out to be a good employment opportunity. She joined the firm in 2019, when only two women were employed in the company. The number of female employees has since increased to 12, she said. “I studied soil and environmental management at university. While I was looking for a job, I got an opportunity in the company, which does exactly what I studied. I grew from doing minor job to becoming the operations manager,” Umugwaneza said. “Besides earning an income for my family’s development, it is also a chance to contribute to the country’s sustainable development.” Concorde Kubwimana, an environmental economist, founded Save Environment Initiative (SEI) while at the University of Lay Adventists of Kigali (UNILAK). Created during the Covid-19 pandemic, the initiative began distributing fruit trees to poor communities. ALSO READ: Unlocking the power of youth in tackling climate change Students pooled savings from casual jobs to fund the project, with the university providing land for a tree nursery that now creates green jobs for women and the youth. “What first drew me into the climate movement was realizing that environmental degradation threatens not only ecosystems but Rwanda’s economic stability and community well-being,” he said. ALSO READ: Varsity students join hands to create green jobs using 100,000 fruit trees Kubwimana considers his work an act of patriotism. He said: “Rwanda’s environment underpins national prosperity, and its protection is integral to sovereignty and development. Every tree planted, every hectare of soil conserved, and every youth trained represents a contribution to resilience.” ALSO READ: Rwanda loses over Rwf800bn annually due to soil erosion His initiative mobilizes communities in tree planting and soil conservation, improving resilience to climate variability. “Community engagement is central to our framework. We collaborate with schools, the National Youth Council, and women, to build ownership of environmental projects,” he noted. ALSO READ: ‘Patriotism is not about dying, it’s about defending’ – Gen Rwivanga Still, he said, challenges persist. In Bugesera District, for example, many residents fail to maintain trees, lowering survival rates in dry seasons. Financial constraints also limit expansion. “These challenges highlight the gap between environmental threats and resources available for grassroots initiatives,” he said. ‘Protecting our natural resources is a way to show love for our nation’ Elisa Tumwesigye, a University of Rwanda graduate in Botany and Conservation, founded another project called Social Actions for Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (SAEB). In 2020, he took his skills to the Central African Republic, training youth in alternative livelihoods to poaching under a programme supported by the University of Rwanda’s Centre of Excellence in Biodiversity. ALSO READ: Young greenpreneurs turning waste into fertilisers and pavers Tumwesigye said the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and the devastating impact of climate change on ecosystems and communities inspired him to join the climate movement. “Witnessing the negative impacts of climate change on farmers in Eastern Province, where I grew up, sparked my responsibility to contribute to a sustainable future,” he said. He too views his work as a form of patriotism. “Protecting our natural resources and beauty is a way to show love for our nation and ensure a prosperous future.” Through his initiative, Tumwesigye has led tree planting and solar-powered irrigation projects, planting thousands of trees and boosting community engagement. Resistance to climate action remains a challenge, he said. “Addressing misconceptions and building trust has been crucial,” he said, noting that awareness campaigns, school collaborations, and storytelling, help mobilize communities. Agatha Mukagacinya founded Glory Mixed Farm in 2015, in Nyagatare District. Her 30-hectare farm produces organic fertilisers from 300 chickens, 100 pigs, and 35 cows. “We apply circular concepts to farming, contributing to the well-being of the community. What inspired me to invest in the circular economy is that farmers often do not use animal and plant waste as organic fertilisers, yet chemical fertilisers are expensive. There is also a shortage of rural jobs. Producing organic fertilisers creates employment,” she said. “We also get 280 eggs per day, 70 litres of milk per day, and 14 tonnes of organic fertilisers,” she noted, adding that the firm employs over 200 seasonal workers and 40 permanent staff, of whom 80 per cent are women. “We need $180,000 to expand to 10,000 poultry, increase egg production by 80 per cent, raise the pig population to 2,000, and produce 300 tonnes of organic fertilisers.” Mukagacinya said her activities are on the right path of green patriotism. “We are using circular solutions to protect and preserve the environment for future generations. They will benefit from sustainable development. We are fighting land degradation and malnutrition among children. The country may be secure in terms of safety, but environmental degradation can still cause food insecurity. Patriotic people should make sure the country has a healthy environment,” she explained. ‘Not just ethical but an investment in national well-being and pride’ Noel Nizeyimana founded Green Care Rwanda Ltd, a firm which transforms biowaste into organic fertilizers branded “Grekompost” and recycles plastics into usable products. “Our model diverts 95% of waste from landfills, cutting 7,200 tons of CO2 annually, enriching soils, and creating green jobs,” he explained. The company also designs composting infrastructure and trains youth for opportunities in green jobs. It now produces 960 tonnes of Grekompost annually, benefiting 1,200 farmers. “Our operations save 192 hectares of land fed by compost each year and serve 6,696 households generating waste for the facility. Communities are cleaner and healthier,” he said. For him, sustainability is both patriotic and practical: “Environmental stewardship is not just ethical but an investment in national well-being and pride.” “Customers increasingly perceive sustainability positively and demonstrate a willingness to invest in it,” he added. Environmental expert Abias Maniragaba said post-1994 rebuilding also included protecting the environment to make Rwanda clean and attractive to visitors. “People stopped poaching in forests because of tourism benefits. With wetland restoration, Nyandungu Eco-Park is now delivering results. Safety and cleanliness must go together,” he said. He warned that without environment protection, achievements of the past 31 years could be lost. “Floods and landslides caused by land degradation can destroy infrastructure. Those who start environmental protection initiatives and report polluters are patriotic Rwandans.”
