The area experienced an extraordinary downpour accompanied by hail and strong winds on January 26, 2026, at 10 PM.
The rain affected the sectors of Bugarama, Muganza, Nyakabuye and Gikundamvura.
Emmanuel Byishimo, a rice farmer, told IGIHE that the heavy rain caused significant losses, especially since the rice was nearing harvest and much of it had not yet been harvested.
“When I arrived in the field, I found that the hail had completely destroyed the crops, causing them to fall to the ground. This is a loss because, even though we have insurance that reimburses our capital, it does not cover the profits that the farmer would have made,” he explained.
According to reports from the leaders of the four rice cooperatives in the Bugarama marshland, the rain damaged a total of 87 hectares of rice. This includes 45 hectares in Gikundamvura sector, 23 hectares in Bugarama, 14 hectares in Nyakabuye, and 5 hectares in Muganza.
Oscar Hamenyimana, president of COPRORIKI Cooperative, which grows rice in Gikundamvura, told IGIHE that they have already assessed the damage to 45 hectares.
“We immediately contacted the insurance company to show them the damage in the fields. The next step is to measure the affected areas for each farmer so they can be compensated,” he said.
Hamenyimana praised the crop insurance program and encouraged farmers who grow insured crops such as rice, maize, beans, and cassava to take out insurance policies.
Samuel Furaha, the president of the rice farmers’ cooperative in Nyakabuye and Muganza (KOIMUNYA), shared that, in addition to the 19 hectares of rice ravaged by the rain in their sectors, their rice storage facility was also damaged.
“This storage facility, worth Rwf 20 million, was built for us by the district. We are requesting assistance from the CDAT project, which is being implemented in Rusizi District, to help us secure another rice storage facility,” he said.
Alfred Habimana, the Vice Mayor of Rusizi District in charge of economic development, told IGIHE that they are currently gathering data on the damage in partnership with insurance companies and agricultural organizations to ensure prompt assistance for those affected by the disaster.
Among the other damages caused by the heavy rain, five houses in Bugarama sector were destroyed by the strong winds.
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