Residents of Gatare in Macuba and Gitwe in Karambi Thank Government for Building a Suspended Bridge

Residents of Macuba and Karambi Sectors, particularly those living on either side of the Mutovu River, are celebrating the construction of a suspended bridge across the river, which had long posed serious challenges to their movement, especially during the rainy season. According to residents, some members of their communities had lost their lives while attempting to cross the river.

The 65-metre-long bridge was constructed between Gashwi Village in Gatare Cell, Macuba Sector, and Giti Village in Gitwe Cell, Karambi Sector, through a partnership between Nyamasheke District and its development partner, FIKA. The bridge was completed at a cost of RWF 136,413,347 and was officially inaugurated on 14 August 2026.

The name FIKA, derived from Swahili, means “arrive” in English, reflecting the organisation's commitment to helping communities overcome challenges and improve access and connectivity.

The Mayor of Nyamasheke District, Mr Mupenzi Narcisse, who attended the inauguration ceremony, thanked the District's development partner for collaborating with the District in the construction of this important infrastructure. He also urged residents to use and take good care of the bridge so that it can serve the community for many years to come.

The Mayor further called on residents to refrain from consuming substandard and illicit alcoholic beverages, noting that such drinks can harm their health and contribute to accidents. He warned that even with the newly constructed bridge, people under the influence of unsafe alcohol could still put themselves at risk, including by falling into the river.

          Ikiraro abaturage b'imirenge yombi bari basanzwe bifashisha bambuka umugezi wa Mutovu

                        Ikiraro gishya cyubatswe ku burebure bwa m 65 hejuru y'umugezi wa Mutovu

       Abaturage n'abayobozi bishimiye cyane kunyura kuri iki kiraro nyuma yo kugifungura ku mugaragaro

Umuyobozi wa FIKA yatanze ubutumwa ashimira abaturage bafatanyije mu mirimo yo kubaka iki kiraro