By Avit Ndayiziga Moses Nahimana stands amid broken phones and computer parts at Bata, Bujumbura’s bustling electronics hub, facing a daily dilemma of what to do with toxic waste. “When spare parts are damaged, I throw them into trash piles. Street children often come to scavenge them,” Nahimana admits. At home, he sometimes burns the…
By: Arthur Bizimana Deforestation in Kibira and drought are accelerating the drying up of water resources. The population in the park’s two watersheds is paying the price. Scientists fear the worst. This fourth story is part of a series of four investigations produced with the support of the Pulitzer Center. In the capital of the former…
By: Arthur Bizimana Tea plantations stretching as far as the eye can see on the edge of Kibira Park, agricultural fields, construction of a hydroelectric power station and vast bare land abandoned inside Kibira… Production companies and state institutions – OTB, Regideso, Isabu and DPAE – as well as local communities have encroached on the habitat…
By: Arthur Bizimana State production companies and institutions—Regideso, Isabu, and DPAE—carry out several development activities in Kibira, while local communities illegally exploit forest and mineral resources there. These activities exacerbate deforestation in Kibira. This second story is part of a series of four investigations produced with the support of the Pulitzer Center. “Kibira has become agricultural…
By: Arthur Bizimana When Kibira was elevated to protected area status by a ministerial order establishing its boundaries on 12 December 1933, its area was 90,000 hectares. This remained the case until 1950, according to Professor Richard Habonayo, a lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of Agronomy and Bioengineering at the University of Burundi. Today, this…
Over the last five years, climate change-induced effects have displaced more than 190,000 people in Burundi. Yet, it is women who bear the deepest, most enduring scars. In makeshift camps, they battle not only the loss of homes and loved ones but the invisible wounds of trauma, depression, and social stigma. Limited mental health services…
By Samuel Mbonimpa Although Burundi is struggling with economic hurdles, including fuel shortages and other difficulties, artists, especially singers, disagree on the profitability of the entertainment industry. While some cite a lack of unity, limited government support, and restrictive laws as key obstacles to their financial stability, Vichou Love, a well-known figure in live music…
Climate change and the El Niño phenomenon-induced effects have displaced over 196,000 people in Burundi. Among them, displaced youth face severe mental health crises, including PTSD, disrupting their education. Despite initiatives like the “Ni Abacu” program, urgent actions are needed to address trauma, improve disaster response, and prioritize mental health care for children and adolescents….
By Samuel Mbonimpa Since 2018, the rise of the Tanganyika water level has affected and destroyed humans, infrastructures, and crops. Elias Niyongabo, environmental science expert and professor at the University of Burundi, says that the El Niño phenomenon, large-scale erosion throughout the watershed, and reduced evaporation are the main causes. This environmentalist calls for urgent…
By Avit Ndayiziga According to Burundi’s Judicial police, in 2024, online scammers stole over BIF 157 million. Digital law experts call for enhanced prevention and repressive cybercrime laws. However, Paradigm Initiative offers vital digital and physical protection tools to navigate this challenging digital environment. Ella’s Harrowing Experience with an Online Scam Ella is a domestic…
