16 November 2023: The Nile Basin Initiative has officially handed over six hydrological monitoring stations to the Rwanda Water Resources Board, which are poised to monitor and collect data related to water levels, flow rates and other relevant parameters.

This ceremony was held in Kigali and was attended by the Rwanda Water Resources Board Director General, Dr. Emmanuel Rukundo and the Nile Basin Initiative Executive Director, Dr. Grace

The six Hydrological Monitoring stations handed over Rwanda Water Resources Board are Akanyaru (Gihinga), Muvumba (Kagitumba), Nyabarongo (Kanzenze), Cyohoha (Shell), Akagera outlet , and Rweru (Gakindo).

these stations, provide essential data including: Water resources assessment and planning and allocation to competing interests, flood forecasting and early warning information to enhance Community preparedness and disaster risk reduction, Drought severity assessment and forecasting Forecasting of Power production for hydropower stations, support river navigation and transport advisory to shipping agencies. Enhance joint transboundary studies and information sharing.

In his remarks, Rwanda Water Resources Board Director General, Dr. Emmanuel Rukundo commended the Nile Basin Initiative and other partners for their contribution in establishing these very important infrastructures in water resources management.

 “I therefore commend all the partners, particularly, the Ministry of Environment, The Nile Basin Initiative, the European Union through GIZ and Rwanda Water Resources Board for the establishment of such a transboundary monitoring system to enable a holistic monitoring of water in the country and the basin. This effort goes a long way in complementing our monitoring strategy as a country.” Dr. Emmanuel Rukundo said.

The Nile Basin Initiative Executive Director, Grace, has extended his appreciation to Rwanda for being the first country to finish the establishment of these Hydrological Monitoring stations.

In the case of Rwanda, the Nile Basin Initiative has closely worked with the Ministry of Environment and Rwanda Water Resources Board and other stakeholders to establish six hydrological monitoring stations. I must say that it was Rwanda that finished all the hydrological stations comparing to other countries.” Dr Grace stated

The Nile Basin Initiative also committed a continuous support in terms of expansion of hydromonitoring infrastructures, trainings and capacity building as well as technical support.