13th October 2021 - The Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) and various stakeholders in the water sub-sector held a virtual Thematic Working Group (TWG) meeting to discuss the achievements and challenges for the 2020-2021 fiscal year, key policy related studies for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and key priorities for the next 2022-2023 financial year.

“I would like to thank all institutions participating for giving importance to the water sub-sector and the government agenda for water resources management. We are delighted that the number of institutions attending the sub-sector Working is growing,” remarks RWB’s DG Prime Ngabonziza.

The overall 2020-2021 achievements highlighted include various activities implemented by RWB such as Mukungwa and Akagera Lower Catchment management plans, identification of water users with water user permits, availing 2020-2021 water resources status reports, final water quality status report and rehabilitation of 4000 hectares of degraded areas in four priority catchments susch as Upper Nyabarongo, Sebeya, Muvumba and Nyabugogo.

Furthermore, some of the priorities are the following:

• Implement catchment restoration measures proposed in the catchment plans to reduce soil erosion using the guidelines of CROM-DSS model
• Promote community approach in implementation of catchment/ watershed management interventions
• Develop and maintain flood control infrastructure such as dams, dykes, hillside drainage systems, bridges in the context of flood mitigation
• Develop key strategic documents (National Water Resources Master Plan, National Water Resources Atlas, rainwater harvesting guideline and dam safety guidelines.
• Identify rivers, lakes and other water bodies with increased need for water quality monitoring
• Ensure that water users have water permits before water use
• Increase artificial water channeling and water storage through the development of resilient multipurpose dams, reservoirs and ponds to enhance water conservation and water efficiency practices.