Not only fighters, the Rwandan Defence Forces in the 211 brigade have allied with students at Universté Libre de Kigali’s Gisenyi branch to plant over 40,000 trees throughout Rubavu district.

In a bid to end soil erosion, the agreement comes after being signed by RDF officials and representatives from the school.

According to Major General Caesar Kayizari said at the first 20 plantings that unity was the force that would keep Rwanda alive.

The current environmental threats in the province was an opportunity for nationalism and inclusiveness.

District vice-mayor in charge of finance and economic development Evariste Bizimana thanked both the RDF and university students for the "good idea they pioneered” which he said would lead to economic revolution
Protection of the environment, he said, was the source of economic development and he asked residents to protect and to properly care for the planted trees. 

"Other Rwandans should imitate this idea of coming together with the aim of addressing issues that are affecting our community” he said.

Jean Pierre Nkurunzinza, ULK academic vice-rector said that the agreement signed by the RDF and ULK Gisenyi included teamwork in addressing environmental issues and sharing courses in ICT and language. He said that the university would soon start up an environmental protection club called Inshuti z’ibitukikige, which he said would follow up and protect the planted trees.  

Rubavu hill, on which the tree planting activity started, neighbours Gisenyi town and is one of the most eroded hills due to continuous human activity.

Heavy rains have brought loads of mud to Gisenyi town and huge volumes of water from the hill have destroyed properties and various shops in the resort town. 

District authorities have designed a plan to evacuate all people from the hill and resettle them elsewhere.

According to Fred Rubahiza, a student from ULK Gisenyi, they were ready as intellectuals to participate towards the country’s economic development.

"Our province recently faced disasters in which 17 people died and hundreds of houses were destroyed by the running waters from eroded hills.

It is our duty as intellectuals to not only participate in the environmental protection activities but also to educate the population about the importance of our natural surroundings.”

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