Ministeri y’uburezi ibinyujije mu kigo cy’Igihugu Gishinzwe Ibizamini n’Ubugenzuzi bw’Amashuri (NESA) bateraniye mu nama nyunguranabitekerezo hamwe n’abafatanyabikorwa mu burezi mu rwego rwo rwo kungurana ibitekerezi kuri gahunda mpuzamahanga y’isuzuma bumenyi n’ubushobozi bw’abanyeshuri izwi nka ‘’PISA’’ mu magambo ahinnye.
Ni igikorwa kije nyuma yaho u Rwanda rwitabiriye ku nshuro ya mbere iri suzuma mu mwaka 2025. Ni isuzuma rireba abana bari hagati y’imyaka 15 na 16 barushanwa mu gusoma, imibare na siyansi. Abenshi muri abo banyeshuri baba bageze mu mwaka wa gatatu wa segonderi. Magingo aya ibihugu bisaga 90 ku isi ni byo byitabira iri suzumabumenyi.
Umuyobozi mukuru w’ikigo gishinzwe ibizamini n’ubugenzuzi bw’amashuri NESA Dr Bernard BAHATI asobanura ko iri suzumabumenyi ritagomba kwitiranywa n’amarushanwa ahubwo afasha mu gutegura politiki ihamye y’imyigishirize.
Umuyobozi w’akarere w’ungirije ushinzwe imibereho myiza y’abaturage mu karere ka Huye Kankesha Annonciata n’Uwemeyimana Evariste uhagarariye ababyeyi, bagaragaza icyo iri suzuma rivuze kuri bo.
Iri suzumabumenyi mpuzamahanga rya PISA ryashyizweho n’Umuryango Mpuzamahanga w’Ubukungu, Ubufatanye n’Iterambere (OECD), rikaba rigiye kuba ku ncuro ya 9.
Ni muri urwo rwego umuboyozi mukuru ushinzwe itumanaho ry’uburezi muri MINEDUC ,HASHAKINEZA Jean Claude hamwe n’umuyobozi mukuru wa NESA Dr Bernard Bahati bagaragaje icyifuzo cyuko muri iki cyumweru kibanziriza ukwezi kwa gashyantare hakomeza ibikorwa byo gutegura no gutangaza inkuru n’ibiganiro bijyanye na PISA aho ibitangaza makuru binyuranye biragiramo uruhare rufatika.
Nyuma y’uko Leta Zunze Ubumwe za Amerika na Israel bagabye ibitero kuri Iran, kuri uyu wa Gatandatu na yo yagabye ibitero mu bice bitandukanye mu rwego rwo kwihimura.
Ibitangazamakuru bitandukanye biravuga ko igisirikare cya Iran cyarashe ‘missile ballistique’ ndetse kigaba ibitero bya drone ku butaka bwa Israel, mu rwego rwo kuyihimuraho.
Igisirikare cya Israel (IDF) kibinyujije ku rubuga rwa X, cyemeje ko Iran yarashe muri kiriya gihugu za missile, ndetse ko ingabo zacyo zirwanira mu kirere zarimo zirwana no kuzishwanyaguriza mu kirere.
Andi makuru avuga ko Iran yagabye ibitero ku bigo bya gisirikare by’ingabo za Amerika biri ahantu hatandukanye mu burasirazuba bwo hagati.
Birimo ibyagabwe hafi y’ikigo cy’ingabo za Amerika cya Fifth Fleet muri Bahrain ndetse no mu bigo bya gisirikare by’ingabo za Amerika mu bihugu bya Kuwait, Qatar na Leta Zunze Ubumwe z’Abarabu.
Leta Zunze Ubumwe za Amerika zirateganya ko buri kwezi, zizajya zisuzuma ibyangombwa by’impunzi 4.500 z’abazungu bakomoka muri Afurika y’Epfo bakajya gutura muri Amerika, nk’uko bigaragara mu nyandiko za guverinoma zagiye hanze ku wa 27 Mutarama 2026.
Uyu ni umubare munini cyane w’impunzi zizajya ziba ziturutse mu gihugu kimwe zijya muri Amerika, bigendanye n’icyemezo cya Perezida Donald Trump cyo kujya yemera ko impunzi zinjira muri Amerika buri mwaka zitagomba kurenga 7500.
Mu kugera kuri iyo ntego, Amerika irateganya kwifashisha inzu zimukanwa izashyira kuri ambasade yayo i Pretoria muri Afurika y’Epfo, zikifashishwa nk’ibiro byo gufashirizamo izo mpunzi zikabonerwa ibyangombwa bizemerera kujya muri Amerika mu buryo bworoshye.
Ibiro Ntaramakuru, Reuters, byatangaje ko Amerika yafashe uyu mwanzuro wo kwifashisha izo nzu ngendanwa, nyuma y’uko inzego z’umutekano za Afurika y’Epfo zakajije ibyo gusaka izo mpunzi aho zafashirizwaga guhabwa ibyangombwa i Johannesburg, Amerika igatekereza kubikorera kuri Ambasade yayo muri icyo gihugu nko kuzirindira umutekano.
Uyu mwanzuro wa Amerika wo gutwara abo bazungu uje nyuma y’uko mu bihe bitandukanye icyo gihugu by’umwihariko Perezida Trump ashinje Afurika y’Epfo, gukorera irondabwoko no kwambura imitungo abo Amerika yise Abanyafurika b’abazungu (Afrikaners).
Byatumye muri Kamena 2025, Amerika itangiza porogaramu yo korohereza abo bazungu bagahabwa ubuhungiro muri Amerika. Gusa mu bihe bitandukanye, Afurika y’Epfo yateye utwatsi ibyo ishinjwa na Amerika byo guhohotera abo bazungu, ibyita ibinyoma.
Kugeza ku wa 31 Mutarama 2025, abazungu 2000 bakomoka muri Afurika y’Epfo ni bo bari bamaze kwemererwa kujya kuba muri Amerika, gusa umubare w’abajyayo ukomeje kongerwa.
Kwihutisha ibyo gutanga ibyangombwa kuri izo mpunzi, byari byaratindijwe n’uko Amerika yari yatangaje ko nta mpunzi zemerewe kujya yo hagati yo ku wa 23 Gashyantare 2026 kugeza ku wa 09 Werurwe muri uyu mwaka, kubera impamvu zitasobanuwe neza.
Amerika iri koroshya ibyo guha ubuhungiro abazungu bakomoka muri Afurika y’Epfo
Perezida wa Leta Zunze Ubumwe za Amerika, Donald Trump, yatangaje ko igihugu cye gifite uruhare rutaziguye kandi rukomeye mu bitero ingabo za Israel zabyutse zigaba mu bice bitandukanye bya Iran.
Mu gitondo cyo kuri uyu wa 28 Gashyantare 2026, Minisitiri w’Ingabo wa Israel, Israel Katz, yatangaje ko abasirikare babo bari kurasa misile i Tehran mu rwego rwo gukumira akaga kashoboraga kugwira igihugu cyabo gatewe na Iran.
Mu gihe abaturage ba Isreal basabwa kujya mu bwihisho, ahantu hatekanye, igisirikare cy’iki gihugu cyatangaje ko hari misile ziri kuva muri Iran, kandi ko cyiteguye kuzipfubya cyifashishije ingabo zirwanira mu kirere.
Mu mashusho y’iminota umunani, Perezida Trump yatangarije ku rubuga Truth Social ko Amerika yagabye ibitero bikomeye kuri Iran kubera ko iki gihugu cyo muri Aziya cyageragezaga gusubukura umushinga wo gukora intwaro kirimbuzi.
Trump yanavuze ko Iran ikomeje gukora misile ziraswa mu ntera ndende zishobora guhungabanya umutekano w’ibihugu by’inshuti by’i Burayi, ingabo za Amerika zikorera mu mahanga, zikaba zanagera mu gihugu cyabo.
Ati “Iran yagerageje kongera kubaka gahunda ya nucléaire kandi ikomeje gukora misile ziraswa mu ntera ndende, ubu zahungabanya umutekano w’inshuti zacu nziza n’abafatanyabikorwa i Burayi, ingabo zacu ziri hakurya y’amazi magari, zikaba zagera vuba mu gihugu cyacu.”
Perezida wa Amerika yagaragaje ko Iran yanze kumva ubwo yasabwaga kwemera amasezerano agamije guhagarika umushinga wo gukora intwaro kirimbuzi, bityo ko igomba kwirengera ingaruka.
Yatangaje ko ingabo za Amerika zigiye gusenya misile za Iran n’inganda zizikora mu buryo bukomeye cyane, zihinduke umuyonga.
Ibitero Israel na Amerika byagabye kuri Iran bikurikiye ibindi byayigabyeho muri Kamena 2025, byatumye imijyi ikomeye ya Israel na yo iraswaho misile nyinshi.
Amerika yagaragaje ko mu rwego rwo kwihorera, Iran ishobora kugaba ibitero ku ngabo zayo zikorera mu bihugu nka Qatar no ku Banyamerika babayo. Yasabye Abanyamerika kujya mu bwihisho kugeza igihe kitaremenyekana.
Imijyi ya Iran irimo Tehran yarashwe
Trump yatangaje ko Amerika ishaka gusenya misile za Iran n’inganda zizikora
Ishami ry’umuryango w’Abibumbye ryita ku Buzima, OMS, ryatangaje ko kugeza ubu ku Isi ibihugu 23 ari byo bimaze kurandura kwanduza umwana SIDA na Mburugu biturutse ku mubyeyi.
Ibi byatangajwe ku wa 27 Gashyantare 2026 ubwo Umuyobozi Mukuru wa OMS, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, yatangazaga ko Denmark nayo yonjiye mu mubare byaciye umubyeyi kwanduza umwana we SIDA na Mburugu.
Ati “Denmark ni cyo gihugu cya mbere mu muryango w’Ubumwe bw’u Burayi buciye umubyeyi kwanduza umwana we SIDA na Mburugu. Kugeza uyu munsi ibihugu 23 ni byo bemejwe na OMS ko byaciye umwana kwanduzwa SIDA na Mburugu n’umubyeyi we ibindi biracyari mu nzira.”
OMS igaragaza ko kugira ngo igihugu byitwe ko cyaciye kwanduza umwana SIDA na Mburugu yandujwe n’umubyeyi ari uko mu babyeyi 100 atwite 95 baba bapimwe SIDA ndetse bagakurikiranwa, no kuba mu bana ibihumbi 100 bavutse abari munsi 50 ari bo nibura bashobora kuvugana ubwandu bwa SIDA.
Mu Rwanda mu 2025 Ikigo cy’Igihugu gishinzwe Ubuzima (RBC) cyatangaje ko abafite Virusi itera Sida mu Rwanda bageze ku bihumbi 234, aho buri mwaka yica abagera kuri 2500 ikanandurwa n’uwo mubare.
Ababyeyi banduza abana mu gihe cyo kubyara bavuye kuri 2% mu myaka yashize bagera kuri 0,9% mu 2024.
Ibyo bikeshwa ingamba zashyizweho zo kwita ku babyeyi batwite bagahabwa imiti igabanya ubukana bwa Virusi ya Sida hirindwa ko banduza abana batwite cyangwa mu gihe babyara.
OMS igaragaza ko mu 2024 ku Isi habarurwaga abantu barenga miliyoni 40 bafite Virusi itera Sida, ndetse abarenga ibihumbi 630 yabahitanye muri uwo mwaka.
Ubuyobozi bw’ihuriro AFC/M23 bwagaragaje ko bubabajwe n’uburyo umuryango mpuzamahanga ukomeza guceceka mu gihe ubutegetsi bwa Repubulika Iharanira Demokarasi ya Congo bukomeza kwenyegeza ibitero.
Umuvugizi wa AFC/M23, Lawrence Kanyuka, yatangaje ko kuri uyu wa 25 Gashyantare 2026, ihuriro ry’ingabo za Leta ya RDC ryagabye ibitero bigari mu bice byinshi, ku basivili no ku birindiro byabo, ryifashishije drones n’imbunda ziremereye.
Kanyuka yasobanuye ko hari igitero cyagabwe mu gace ka Rutigita, Rugezi no mu bice bihana imbibi muri Komini Minembwe na Kitazungura muri teritwari ya Kalehe.
Yagize ati “Ibi bitero biri gutera impfu, guhunga kw’abaturage b’abasivili benshi, bigateza ikibazo cy’ubutabazi gifite ubukana bukabije.”
Umuyobozi wungirije wa AFC/M23 ushinzwe ibikorwa bya politiki, dipolomasi n’imiyoborere, Bertrand Bisimwa, yibukije umuryango mpuzamahanga ko Leta ya RDC iri kurenga ku masezerano y’agahenge, bishimangira ko yahisemo intambara.
Bisimwa yavuze ko bigaragara ko nta gahunda ifatika ihari yatuma Leta ya RDC ihagarika ibi bitero, kuko mu gihe cyose irenze ku gahenge nta muntu n’umwe uyamagana cyangwa se ngo ayigaragarize ko iri kwitwara nabi.
Ati “Nta ngamba zigaragara zafashwe mu gukumira ibyago by’imirwano. Uku guceceka kunyuranye n’umuvuduko w’amagambo avugwa iyo ihuriro ryacu rikoresheje uburenganzira bwarwo bwo kwirwanaho mu gihe rigabweho ibitero.”
Ibitero byagabwe kuri uyu wa 25 Gashyantare bikurikiye ibindi bya drones byagabwe n’ingabo za RDC muri santere ya Masisi no mu nkengero zayo ku wa 24 Gashyantare.
Bertrand Bisimwa yagaragaje ko umuryango mpuzamahanga ubogamira kuruhande rwa Leta ya DRC
Minisiteri ishinzwe ibijyanye n’amabuye y’agaciro muri Zimbabwe yahagaritse iyoherezwa mu mahanga y’amabuye y’agaciro adatunganyije yose harimo na lithium.
Ni icyemezo cyafashwe nyuma y’uko Guverinoma ya Zimbabwe ibonye imikorere mibi muri uru rwego birimo no kugurisha amabuye mu buryo bwa magendu bitanyuze mu nzira zemewe.
Iyi minisiteri kandi yavuze ko ibi bikorwa bihagaritswe kugeza igihe izatangaza ko byasubukuwe, ndetse ko icyemezo kireba n’amabuye y’agaciro yari ari mu nzira yo koherezwa mu mahanga.
Mu itangazo iyi minisiteri yakomeje iti “Guverinoma yizeye ubufatanye n’abo mu rwego rw’ubucukuzi kuri iki cyemezo cyafashwe hagamijwe inyugu z’igihugu. Guverinoma kandi izakomeza guharanira … ibijyanye no kongerera agaciro amabuye bikorewe mu gihugu, inyungu, kubahiriza amategeko, no kubazwa inshingano mu bijyanye no kohereza mu mahanga umutungo kamere wa Zimabwe.”
Iri tangazo ryatanzwe ku wa 25 Gashyantare 2026, ryagenewe Urwego rw’Abikorera ishami rishinzwe ubucukuzi bw’amabuye y’agaciro ruhagarariye ibigo bitandukanye bikora uyu murimo.
Guhagarika iyoherezwa mu mahanga rya lithium idatunganyije byari byitezwe kubaho muri Zimbabwe mu 2027, mu murongo wo guteza imbere ibijyanye no gutunganyiriza aya mabuye imbere mu gihugu.
Zimbabwe ifatwa nka kimwe mu bihugu bya mbere bicukura lithium nyinshi muri Afurika, aho mu 2025 yohereje idatunganyije ingana na toni miliyoni 1,128, bingana n’inyongera ya 11% ugereranyije n’umwaka wabanje.
Iki gihugu cyateye imbere mu bijyanye n’aya mabuye mu myaka ishize ubwo cyahaga impushya ibigo by’Abashinwa bitandukanye birimo nka Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, Sinomine, Chengxin Lithium Group, na Yahua.
Aya mabuye adatunganyijwe yoherezwa mu Bushinwa kugira ngo ajye gutunganyirizwaho, icyakora Zimbabwe yakunze gusaba ibi bigo ko bigomba kuyatunganyiriza imbere mu gihugu kugira ngo na yo ibone inyungu nyinshi.
Zimbabwe yahagaritse kohereza mu mahanga amabuye yose adatunganyije
Banki ya Kigali ku bufatanye na Minisiteri y’Urubyiruko n’Iterambere ry’Ubuhanzi, yatangije gahunda yo kujya iha abahanzi inguzanyo igera kuri miliyari 1 Frw nta ngwate batanze mu rwego rwo kubafasha kuzamura ibikorwa byabo bikanabateza imbere.
Ni gahunda yiswe ‘BKreative’ yatangijwe ku wa 24 Gashyantare 2026, mu muhango witabiriwe n’abahanzi bo mu byiciro bitandukanye.
Mu gutangiza iyi gahunda, abahanzi batatu batanze umusanzu mu guhanga ikirango cya ‘BKreative’. Uwa mbere yahawe miliyoni 5 Frw, uwa kabiri ahabwa miliyoni 3 Frw, uwa gatatu ahabwa miliyoni 2 Frw.
Umuyobozi Mukuru wa Banki ya Kigali, Dr. Karusisi Diane, yavuze ko ibikorwa by’ubuhanzi biha akazi abantu benshi mu gihugu, ari yo mpamvu bahisemo korohereza ababirimo kugira ngo babone serivisi z’inguzanyo muri banki biboroheye kugira ngo ubuhanzi babuteze imbere.
Ati “Ibikorwa bijyanye n’abahanzi bitanga akazi ku bantu barenga ibihumbi 100 mu gihugu, abahanzi ni abantu bakora akazi kabaha amafaranga ariko ibyo bisaba ko babona ayo bashoramo. Rero banki yashyizeho uburyo bwo kubafasha kubona inguzanyo nta ngwate kugira ngo bibafashe mu guteza imbere ubuhanzi mu Rwanda.”
Yakomeje agira ati “Tuzajya tubaha inguzanyo kugera kuri miliyari 1 Frw, ku bahanzi bamaze gutera imbere bafite ibikorwa bigaragara, bafite imiziki ku mbuga runaka cyangwa bafite amasezerano n’abafatanyabikorwa bakorana.”
Umunyamabanga wa Leta muri Minisiteri y’Urubyiruko n’Iterambere ry’Ubuhanzi, Umutoni Sandrine, yavuze ko iyi gahunda igiye gukemura ikibazo abahanzi bagiraga cyo kubura igishoro kibafasha gukora ibikorwa byaba kinyamwuga.
Yagize ati “Iyi nkunga yatangijwe na BK izakemura ibintu byinshi, twebwe muri Minisiteri y’Urubyiruko n’Iterambere ry’Ubuhanzi twari tumaze igihe tuvugana n’abantu bakora mu mabanki n’abakora mu nzego zigenga, ikintu cyakundaga kugaruka mu bahanzi ni uko bavugaga ngo bafite ibitekerezo byinshi bafite n’amasoko bagezaho ibikorwa byabo, ariko bakabura igishoro cyangwa inkunga ibafasha gukora kinyamwuga kurushaho.”
“Kuba dufite ubufatanye na BK bizatuma ibintu byihuta kurushaho ariko ikindi kintu cyiza gihari muri iyi gahunda ni uko bazafatanya na BK Foundation kugira ngo bazamure n’ubushobozi bw’abahanzi kuko gutanga amafaranga ntabwo biba bihagije, ugomba gufasha umuhanzi kumenya ko amafaranga yahawe ari inguzanyo, ukamufasha kumenya uko azayabyaza umusaruro akazabasha no kuyishyura.”
Ndaruhutse Merci wamamaye nka Fally Merci, yatangije Gen Z Comedy. Yavuze ko ikintu gikunze kubagora nk’abantu bari mu bikorwa by’ubuhanzi ari igishoro, gahunda ya Bkreative ikaba igiye kuziba icyo cyuho.
Ati “Aya ni amahirwe tubonye kuko ubusanzwe twajyaga twishakishiriza, tukikoramo kugira ngo tubone igishoro ariko ubu bazajya baduha inguzanyo nta ngwate. Bigiye kudufasha kwiteza imbere kurushaho. Kuri Gen Z Comedy bigiye kudufasha kujya dutumira abanyarwenya bo hanze tudategereje ko abafatanyabikorwa bacu batwishyura, kuko tuzajya tujya muri BK baduhe amafaranga, twishyure uwo munyarwenya, natwe nibatwishyura banki tuyisubize amafaranga.”
Mu gutanga iyi nguzanyo, hazajya harebwa ku bikorwa cyangwa se umushinga afite. Nk’uko bisanzwe ku zindi nguzanyo, bazajya batanga inyungu.
Gahunda ya BKreative yatangijwe na BK ku bufatanye na Minisiteri y’Urubyiruko n’Iterambere ry’Ubuhanzi
As mining activities continue to play a significant role in Rwanda’s economic growth, concerns surrounding workers’ health and occupational safety remain central to national conversations about sustainable development.
At the heart of this discussion is GAMICO Ltd, one of Rwanda’s major mining companies, operating the Bashyamba tin mine in Nyarugenge District, Kigali. While the company has officially confirmed only one case of silicosis among its workers, the broader health implications of mining activities raise important questions: Can economic development be achieved without compromising human health?
Strengthening Health and Safety Standards
Following the confirmation of a silicosis case, GAMICO Ltd states that it has taken broad operational steps to improve workplace safety and mitigate occupational health risks.
Mechanization and Dust Control
The company is transitioning from artisanal mining methods to more mechanized operations. This includes the use of electric and pneumatic jackhammers, alongside plans to introduce drill-and-blast techniques aimed at improving efficiency and safety.
Additionally, “wet drilling” technology is being introduced to significantly reduce respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust exposure reportedly by up to 90 percent.
Regulatory Compliance
GAMICO operates under the oversight of the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB), whose regulations have recently become stricter. In late 2023 and early 2024, the RMB revoked several mining licenses nationwide due to non-compliance with safety, environmental, and labour standards. GAMICO maintained its operating license during these inspections, indicating adherence to current regulatory requirements.
National Silicosis Case-Finding Initiative
Although not exclusive to GAMICO, Rwanda launched its first rural silicosis case-finding program in 2022. More than 1,000 miners were screened using chest X-rays and spirometry to detect lung diseases at early stages.
The GAMICO Clinic provides occupational health services, emergency care, routine monitoring, injury treatment, and health awareness programs for employees, contractors, and nearby communities — reinforcing the company’s stated commitment to responsible mining operations.
Medical Findings from the Field
To better understand the situation, interviews were conducted with doctors, environmental officers, managers, and miners working both at the GAMICO Clinic and at mining sites.
Dr. Jules Nyirimana, who has overseen workers’ health at the clinic for the past year, explains that the most common health conditions are directly linked to mining activities.
“The most common problems we see include back pain due to heavy labour, breathing difficulties caused by dust exposure, and flu. Currently, we have one patient diagnosed with tuberculosis who is receiving proper treatment,” he said.
Regarding silicosis — an incurable lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust — Dr. Nyirimana confirmed that while several workers have shown symptoms, only one worker, Jean Pierre, has been officially diagnosed.
“We continue encouraging other workers to undergo medical screening because this disease can remain undetected for a long time,” he explained.
The diagnosed worker is currently receiving home-based care, as silicosis is chronic and prevents him from returning to underground work.
Company Response and Worker Support
Abel Munyaneza, the company’s Environmental Officer, confirmed that workers who fall ill due to occupational conditions are supported and allowed to receive treatment until recovery. When necessary, they are referred to specialized hospitals.
He disclosed that one affected family is currently receiving school fee support for their children due to work-related health challenges. Additionally, another worker suffering from heart disease is undergoing treatment at King Faisal Hospital.
Although Munyaneza acknowledged that he is not a medical specialist, he noted that silicosis is generally believed to develop after 10 or more years of silica dust exposure. However, in the confirmed GAMICO case, the worker had only five years of exposure — a situation that suggests the need for further scientific investigation.
“We continue to support him, and he will keep receiving assistance,” Munyaneza stated.
Workers Speak: Air Underground and Fear of Testing
One miner, speaking anonymously, described challenging underground conditions:
“Sometimes underground we feel there is little air. Some workers avoid testing because they saw their colleague fall sick and stop working.”
Jean Pierre himself urged colleagues to strictly adhere to safety measures.
“If I had fully respected all safety instructions, maybe I would not be sick today. I ask my colleagues to follow every rule so they do not suffer like I do.”
He added that illness affects not only personal health but also productivity and household income.
Water Management and Environmental Measures
Christian, the Environmental Manager, explained how underground water encountered during excavation is treated and reused for mineral processing and irrigation.
“We do not waste any water. We treat and reuse it. We do not pay for WASAC water for mining operations,” he said.
However, he admitted that in the past, untreated underground water was used for drinking and cooking, resulting in cases of diarrhea and stomach-related illnesses. After laboratory testing confirmed contamination, the company restricted its use to mineral washing and now sources drinking water from WASAC.
GAMICO employs 15 environmental officers responsible for rehabilitating mined land through soil restoration, tree planting, and vegetation programs to restore ecosystems and improve air quality.
Gender Inclusion and Social Impact
Uwamaliya Angelique, a Health Officer who has worked at the company for five years, explained that protective gear is mandatory before entering the mine.
She shared how employment transformed her life:
“Before getting this job, I was struggling. Now I have built my own house, and my children attend good schools. I am grateful for the opportunity.”
Workers have also established a solidarity fund to assist colleagues facing emergencies.
Uwituje M. Solange, who has worked in mining for four and a half years, emphasized that being a woman has never prevented her from performing physically demanding work. She confirmed that the company provides four months of maternity leave, designated rest rooms for women during menstruation, and lighter duties for breastfeeding mothers.
Out of approximately 1,750 direct workers, 207 are women and 1,543 are men.
Broader Worker Concerns
Despite reported improvements, several recurring concerns persist:
Invisible long-term dangers of dust exposure, Respiratory illnesses progressing from chronic cough to disability, Historical lack of adequate PPE, Gaps in contracts and insurance coverage.
The Rwanda Extractive Industry Workers Union (REWU) has advocated for stronger contracts and improved safety equipment. Permanent contracts reportedly now stand at 34 percent.
Recent studies in Rwanda’s cassiterite mining regions indicate that between 9.2% and 10.1% of screened miners were diagnosed with silicosis, particularly those in blasting, excavation, and drilling roles.
Scientific Explanation of Silicosis
Silicosis is an incurable, progressive lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust during drilling, blasting, and crushing operations.
Biological Process
Inhalation of microscopic silica particles , Immune response by macrophages, Cell rupture and inflammation, Fibrosis permanent scarring of lung tissue
Types
Chronic (10–30 years), Accelerated (5–10 years), Acute (weeks to months under extreme exposure). Silicosis significantly increases vulnerability to tuberculosis, lung cancer, and kidney disease.
National Health Context
Dr. Emmanuel Sibomana of the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) stated that comprehensive national data linking mining and respiratory diseases is still limited.
In 2023, at least 471,171 people in Kigali were treated for respiratory conditions. In 2022, 38% of patients nationwide had respiratory illnesses. Between 2012 and 2015, hospital admissions nearly doubled, with 13% linked to air pollution.
Environmental Impacts Beyond the Mine
Mining operations at Bashyamba contribute to:
Soil erosion on steep terrain, Dust pollution affecting crops and residents, Habitat fragmentation, Tailings waste management challenges and Localized carbon emissions
All operations must comply with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations enforced by REMA, and companies must maintain performance bonds for site restoration.
Policy Reforms and “Zero Harm” Strategy
Recent reforms require:
Mandatory N95 or higher masks. Pre-employment and periodic lung screening, Transfer to dust-free roles without salary reduction, Compensation via RSSB, Immediate license suspension for violations. The “Zero Harm” initiative includes surprise inspections and stricter enforcement.
Global Burden of Silicosis
Globally:
35,483 new cases annually, 2.65 million people living with the disease, 12,900 deaths each year, 230 million workers exposed worldwide. The East Asia accounts for 90% of cases. In South Africa, approximately 25% of former gold miners have silicosis. A 2025 Lancet study estimates 2.75 million small-scale miners globally suffer from the disease.
A Question for Rwanda’s Development Path
Mining provides employment, income stability, and national revenue. Workers like Mbarushimana Jean and Solange testify to improved living standards.
Yet the evidence also reveals a complex reality: occupational health risks, environmental degradation, and long-term medical consequences.
As Kigali’s Mayor Samuel Dusengiyumva recently stated, air quality is declining, prompting large-scale tree planting and wetland rehabilitation efforts.
The question remains:
Can Rwanda’s economic growth continue without sacrificing the health of those who power it?
Sustainable development demands strong collaboration between mining companies, regulators, unions, and workers themselves ensuring that progress does not come at the expense of human life.
24 Gashyantare 2026 Mu gihe isi yizihiza Umunsi Mpuzamahanga w’Umugore (IWD) 2026 ku nsanganyamatsiko igira iti: “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls”, Umuryango Women Deliver wasabye ko habaho impinduka zifatika mu mikorere ya sisiteme mpuzamahanga, cyane cyane ku bijyanye n’ukuntu ububasha n’umutungo bigabanywa.
Umuyobozi Mukuru wa Women Deliver, Maliha Khan, yavuze ko isi igeze mu gihe gikomeye gisaba gufata ibyemezo bikomeye.
Yagize ati:
“Mu bice byinshi by’isi, intambwe zari zaratewe mu bijyanye n’uburinganire zirimo gusubizwa inyuma. Hari kwiyongera kw’imitwe irwanya demokarasi n’uburenganzira bwa muntu. Uburenganzira ku buzima bw’imyororokere burimo kugabanywa. Imiryango ishingiye kuri sosiyete sivile iragenda ihangirwa imipaka, kandi inkunga abaturage bashingiragaho igahagarikwa mu buryo butunguranye.”
Guhindura Imikorere ya Sisiteme Mpuzamahanga
Women Deliver igaragaza ko mu myaka myinshi ishize, sisiteme mpuzamahanga y’iterambere yagiye ishingira ku baterankunga bake n’ibigo bikuru byafata ibyemezo biri kure y’abaturage bireba.
Maliha Khan yavuze ko iyo abaterankunga bahinduye ibyihutirwa byabo, serivisi z’ingenzi zirimo ubuzima, uburezi n’ubuzima bw’imyororokere ari zo zibanza guhungabana.
Yagize ati:
“Si kongera inkunga gusa bizakemura ikibazo niba ububasha buguma mu maboko ya bake. Dukeneye sisiteme ituma abaturage bashobora kubaza no kugenzura guverinoma zabo ku bijyanye no gutanga serivisi z’ibanze.”
“Feminist Playbook” Icyerekezo Gishya
Mu rwego rwo gushakira hamwe ibisubizo, Women Deliver ifatanyije n’abafatanyabikorwa bayo bateguye ibiganiro mu bice bitandukanye by’isi birimo Amerika y’Amajyepfo, Afurika, Uburasirazuba bwo Hagati, u Burayi, Ositaraliya na Aziya.
Ibi biganiro bigamije gutegura inyandiko izwi nka Feminist Playbook — inyandiko igaragaza icyerekezo rusange ku butabera n’ingamba zifatika zo kubigeraho.
Mu biganiro byabaye kugeza ubu, hagaragajwe ko hakenewe gusenya imikorere ya kera ishyira ububasha n’ifatwa ry’ibyemezo mu maboko y’ibihugu bikize n’abaterankunga bake, aho gushyira imbere ibyo abaturage bifuza n’ibyo bakeneye.
Abitabiriye ibiganiro basabye ko ubunararibonye bw’abaturage bufatwa nk’ubumenyi, kandi ko umutungo n’ububasha byegerezwa abaturage bahura n’ingaruka z’akarengane.
Ihuriro Rikomeye i Melbourne
Inama mpuzamahanga ya Women Deliver 2026 izabera muri Mata 2026 i Narrm (Melbourne), aho izahuza abantu barenga 6,500 baturutse mu bihugu bisaga 170.
Iyi nama izaba umwanya wo kuganira, kunoza no gutangiza ku mugaragaro Feminist Playbook. Guverinoma, abaterankunga, imiryango ya sosiyete sivile n’abandi bafatanyabikorwa bazasabwa gushyira umukono ku byemezo bifatika.
Women Deliver ivuga ko iyi gahunda ari igice cy’urugendo rurerure rugamije kubaka sisiteme zihamye, zishobora kwihanganira ihindagurika rya politiki n’ihinduka ry’inkunga.
Icyo Umunsi Mpuzamahanga w’Umugore Usobanura
Maliha Khan asoza avuga ko Umunsi Mpuzamahanga w’Umugore utagomba kurangirira mu magambo n’ibirori gusa.
