Government has launched a progam to save one of Rwanda’s biggest lakes, Lake Cyohoha, from aquatic weeds.

The progam was launched over the weekend in Kamabuye Sector, Bugesera District during celebrations to mark the Nile day.  

A big part of the lake is currently affected by ninuphar, an aquatic weed that grows rapidly and covers the lake’s seabed, making it difficult for species to survive.

The Minister of Environment, Stanislas Kamanzi, said that the government chose to celebrate the day with people residing around Lake Cyohoha, and help them uproot the weeds in the lake.

"The uprooting of there aquatic weeds is practice that has been on and conducted by associations of people residing around the lake. The government allocated some funds to facilitate the activity,” said Kamanzi.

The Nile day is normally celebrated on February 22, every year, but according Kamanzi, the day collided with the Leadership retreat and the government chose to hold the celebration on March 13.

The Minister also revealed that plans are underway to commission a study to identify why the weed spreads rapidly.

"People, should as well look at this weed in a positive way, it produces good manure, yet residents around depend on land for cultivation, so they should make good use of this manure,” said Kamanzi.

According to Kamanzi, the government will avail residents with the necessary equipment to uproot the weed. 
After the uprooting exercise, Minister Kamanzi talked to the residents about the impotence of conserving the lake and the Nile waters in general.

As part of the wider initiative to conserve the Nile waters, the government recently allocated Rwf 160m for uprooting several aquatic weeds that have eaten up a number of lakes in the country.

Party of that money, Rwf30m, was allocated to Lake Cyohoha for the removal of ninuphar weed.

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