It is 6 PM and there is a little drizzle. As the droplets of rain gently fall from the skies, the cold breeze is enough to make everybody shiver. Different people are walking in a hurry rushing back home from a long day at work, but some are already under another ‘home’. We are within Kigali’s Central Business District exploring the recently revamped Imbuga city walk, a recreation facility right in the heart of the bustling Kigali City. Located between Cogebanque and M-Peace Building, commonly known as Kwa Makuza, in what was known as Car Free Zone, the revamped facility offers refreshing air for those working along this street and neighbouring areas. The place was recently significantly transformed and fitted with well-aligned pavements and lush green trees and grass, ample lighting and recreation benches and sheds. The icing on the cake is the side kiosks in which snacks and refreshments will be sold to city dwellers who will use the facility. After few minutes, the rain stops, benches are wet from rainwater, but that didn’t discourage nature lovers to immediately throng the place. One by one, they came, cleaned the benches and sat. Some in pairs, others more, and started conversing gently. Some visit the area to enjoy the free Wi-Fi that is available all day round, others meet for different sorts of discussions. Then there is this man with a camera convincing people to take their pictures in this beautiful garden. The New Times approached some of the revelers, to share what they think about the new facility. “I often come here for the Wi-Fi; it is very helpful for us students when we have no internet connectivity at home to conduct online research and do on our unfinished schoolwork,” Safi Omonisciente Irakomeye happily says. “There is a great view, it is a great place for relaxation…I personally come here to relax and use the free Wi-Fi,” Yannick Cyusa says. “Results for high school candidates are out now, so the free Wi-Fi from here helps us to check our results on the web so it is a great thing because not all of us are able to afford daily data bundles,” Abdulkarim Ncungura says. Formerly known as Car Free Zone, Imbuga City Walk was built as part of the city’s efforts to transform Kigali into a recreational space and environmentally friendly place for the residents. According to the new city master plan at least six percent of Kigali has been set aside for recreational spaces. Apart from this one, the Rwanda Environment Management Authority and other partners are constructing Nyandungu Ecotourism Park and which RDB has also set up Kigali Cultural Village, among other recreational facilities.
