Rwandan beauty queens under the forum, Happy Generation, have urged the youth to play a lead role in environment conservation. This was during Umuganda— monthly communal work, at Nyabugogo swamp on Saturday.

The group comprising 50 people included Solange Mukasonga, the mayor of Nyarugenge District, Doriane Kundwa, Miss Rwanda 2015, and other beauty queens as well as artistes.

The activity involved clearing a place famously known as a hideout for drug abusers in Nyabugogo area.

Mukasonga said it was a good initiative to mobilise the youth to come together and work in a place associated with wrong doing.

 "Doing Umuganda in a place where the youth used to hide and engage in destructive behaviour like taking drugs is a significant step.”    

The mayor added that some sections of the swamp were encroached on but activities have been banned and settlements dismantled to reclaim the swamp.

Speaking on behalf of the beauty queens, Doriane Kundwa, said that the youth go through different challenges but with help they can shape up.

"It’s fitting for all Rwandans to participate in such activity because there’s something the youth are happy about,” she said.

Aimable Ngendahe, the head of Happy Generation, said Umuganda was one of many activities the forum is undertaking.