On February 26, 2025, the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB), convened dam owners and key institutions to discuss dam maintenance and safety obligations under Law N°49/2018 of 13/08/2018 which governs the use and management of water resources in Rwanda, the responsibility for ensuring dam safety rests with the individual or entity that constructed or manages the dam.  

Dam owners are obligated to maintain the dam in a safe condition, carry out necessary repairs, and ensure its safe operation.

Dr. Emmanuel Rukundo, the RWB’s Director General opened the meeting by emphasizing its role as a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and decision-making. “Our goals are to define dam owners’ duties, share best practices, and create a robust maintenance framework,” he said.

Participants highlighted major challenges, including damaged gates leading to spillway overflows and excessive sedimentation affecting reservoir capacity. 

To address these issues, it was agreed that irrigation dams will be managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) and Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), while water supply dams will fall under the Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC). Hydropower dams will remain under the Rwanda Energy Group (REG). Notably, excluded are the dams under private sector management.

For multipurpose dams like Muvumba, participants proposed engaging carbon market projects to fund upstream protection efforts.

Dr. Rukundo concluded the meeting by stressing the importance of these discussions, noting that outcomes will guide future dam monitoring and quarterly review meetings.