Residents of Nyaruguru District have been urged to build on the development gains achieved over the past five years and play a greater role in shaping the district’s next phase of growth. The call was made by Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Albert Murasira the minister in Charge of Emergency Management, during a presentation of Nyaruguru District’s achievements for the 2021–2026 period.
Murasira, who also serves as the Government’s representative in Nyaruguru, commended the outgoing district leadership for the progress recorded during its five-year term, while cautioning that the achievements should be viewed as a foundation for further development rather than an endpoint.
One of the district’s notable achievements has been the reduction in child stunting, with the rate falling from 39% to approximately 23%. The decline was highlighted as an important step in improving child wellbeing and household livelihoods. The district said continued efforts will be needed to sustain the progress and address the remaining challenges affecting children and families.
Nyaruguru has also recorded progress in infrastructure development, agriculture and programmes targeting vulnerable households and young people. The expansion of paved roads has brought visible changes to residents, particularly farmers who depend on reliable transport to move their produce to markets.
Jean Bosco KAYITARE, a resident of Nyaruguru, said improved roads have made travelling easier and reduced some of the challenges farmers previously faced during the rainy season.
“In the past, travelling was very difficult, especially during the rainy season. Today, paved roads have made movement easier and have helped us transport our produce to markets more efficiently. These are changes we can see in our everyday lives,” he said.
For farmers, better roads mean easier access to markets, reduced transport difficulties and greater opportunities to sell agricultural produce beyond their immediate communities. Vestine Uwimpuhwe, another resident, said the improvements have reduced the amount of time households spend searching for water while also creating new opportunities for families to use electricity in their daily activities.
“Clean water and electricity have helped us greatly. We no longer spend a lot of time looking for water, while electricity supports us in many different activities. We hope these programmes will continue reaching residents who have not yet benefited from them,” she said.
The district said efforts to rehabilitate and expand water supply networks have contributed to a significant increase in the number of residents with access to clean water.
Agriculture continues to be central to Nyaruguru’s economy and household livelihoods. Farmers have increasingly engaged in crops including tea, coffee and potatoes, which were identified among the sectors requiring continued investment and support. The district says strengthening agricultural production and market access will be important in creating employment opportunities and increasing household incomes.
Minister Murasira also called on residents to strengthen their participation in disaster preparedness and prevention, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
“Although the Government is prepared to respond to disasters, every citizen has a responsibility to take the first steps to protect themselves. As we expect heavy rains linked to the effects of El Niño, residents should prepare early, protect their homes and take care of the environment to reduce the risks of disasters.” He spoke.
He stressed the importance of joint action to protect lives, property and infrastructure, noting that development gains can only be sustained when communities are adequately prepared to deal with risks such as floods and landslides. As Nyaruguru looks beyond the 2021–2026 period, the district’s achievements provide a foundation for further investment in human development, infrastructure, agriculture and social protection.
The challenge now, officials say, is to sustain the progress, extend services to communities that remain underserved and ensure that residents themselves remain active participants in the district’s development. For Minister Murasira, the message is clear: Nyaruguru’s achievements over the past five years should mark the beginning of an even more ambitious development journey, not its conclusion.
