Rubavu District has launched a community-driven initiative to accelerate the upgrading of access roads as part of broader efforts to transform the lakeside town. The initiative encourages residents to work together to upgrade roads within and connect their neighborhoods, while the government provides technical assistance and financial support where necessary. We will provide technical support and construction materials such as lateritic soil free of charge as part of contribution to scaling up this initiative, Rubavu Mayor Prosper Mulindwa told The New Times. In cases where government funding is required, such as the construction of drainage and sewage systems that require additional resources, the government will step in. ALSO READ: Rubavu seeks to plant 17,000 trees for urban greening Mulindwa said the decision to involve residents in upgrading access roads aligns with the district's ‘Smart Rubavu’ initiative, which aims to improve security, sanitation, and the overall appearance of the town. We need a smart city, he added. Everyone has a role to play in building a clean and well-organised secondary city. We need proper street lighting, and any damaged infrastructure should be repaired within 24 hours. According to district officials, Rubavu Town has so far upgraded 51.2 kilometres of access roads, while about 57 kilometres still require improvement. Officials cited inadequate funding, rapid urban expansion, frequent damage caused by heavy rainfall, and competing infrastructure priorities as the main challenges slowing the upgrading of the remaining roads. The community initiative has already been rolled out in Gisenyi Sector, which makes up the largest part of Rubavu Town, where several communities have started contributing to road upgrading efforts. Our residents have already begun making contributions, and roads connecting four cells will soon be rehabilitated, said Gisenyi Sector Executive Secretary Uwineza Francine. She said the initiative was inspired by a study tour to Kigali City, where local leaders observed similar community-led road improvement programmes. Residents are willing to participate in maintaining the roads connecting their homes and neighbourhoods to the main roads, she said. ALSO READ: MPs push for urgent flood mitigation measures in Rubavu Residents welcomed the initiative, saying they are ready to contribute to improving road infrastructure and making Rubavu a more attractive destination for business and tourism. It is a good programme, said Eric Nzaramba, a cross-border trader and shopkeeper in Rubavu. Many roads in the town's suburbs are still in poor condition, but we are ready to play our part in improving them.
