Nyanza District
Nyanza District | |
---|---|
Country | Rwanda |
Province | Southern |
Capital | Nyanza |
Area | |
• District | 672.3 km2 (259.6 sq mi) |
Population (2022 census)[1] | |
• District | 365,718 |
• Density | 540/km2 (1,400/sq mi) |
• Urban | 33,765 |
• Rural | 331,953 |
Nyanza is a district (akarere) in Southern Province, Republic of Rwanda. Its capital is Nyanza town, which is also the provincial capital. Nyanza is a Bantu word meaning lake, which probably refers to the small body of water created by a dam to the west of Nyanza town and sometimes referred to by the local residents as “Ikiyaga” or lake. which probably refers to a large lake to the west of Nyanza city.
Geography
The district lies between Ruhango and Huye straddling the main Kigali to Bujumbura road. The town of Nyanza requires a turn off the main road and also
is near to bugesera.
Nyanza's economy
Nyanza covers a total surface area of 672 Sq Kilometres and has a population of more than 320,000 people (according to the 2012 national Census). The bulk of Nyanza's economy is agriculture based. According to the District Development Plan 2013-2018 and Rwanda's medium term economic development strategy document –the EDPRS II, the district looks up to its young private sector to fuel its ambitious transformation agenda.
Transport
It is a 2+1⁄2-hour bus ride to Kigali, a 1+1⁄2-hour bus ride to Muhanga, a one-hour bus ride to Huye, a 30-minute bus ride to Ruhango and a 16-minute bus ride to Gatagara. The bus station is in the center of Nyanza town, next to the outdoor but covered market. The main bus companies serving Nyanza are Volcano or Horizon, which leave every half hour and seat about 28 passengers. There are also smaller vans known as Twegerane buses that fit in as many people as possible and depart when full.[2]
Nyanza Umwami Palace
The palace of the last umwami (traditional king) of Rwanda (King Mutara III Rudahigwa, who reigned from 1931 to 1959) is located within walking distance of the town center and is the town's main tourist attraction. There, one can see the king's traditional palace living arrangements and the modern palace built by the
On the road to the King's Palace, one passes Nyanza town's two dairies: Nyanza Milk Industry and Zirakamwa Meza Dairy. They produce milk and yogurt.
Art Museum
Hotels in Nyanza town
Nyanza town has a number of hotels and motels. The two largest are The Heritage Hotel and Dayenu Hotel. They each have upscale restaurants and are located in the center of town. The Dayenu Hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and beautiful grounds, including an outdoor bar and a playground. The nearest motel to the bus station is The New Life Motel, which also serves food and has a bar. Also close to the bus station is the Inyambo Motel. On the way into town near the Bank of Kigali are the Free Motel and the Ideal Motel. About halfway to the King's Palace from town is the Boomerang Motel, which has a small restaurant and bar.
Banks in Nyanza town
Nyanza has two banks: The
Education
In the town has at least two institutions of
Nyanza Stadium
Nyanza town has a large stadium, located just past ILPD. There, football (soccer) matches are held. ILPD uses the stadium for its graduations and its staff vs. students football matches. Also, festivities for Umuganura (Rwandan public holiday celebrating the harvest and giving thanks, which Rwanda claims has been celebrated for 1,800 years), National Liberation Day and National Heroes Day take place at the stadium. Beyond the stadium is Nyanza's cemetery, where both Christians and Muslims are buried.
On the last Saturday morning of every month, the citizens of Nyanza participate in Rwanda's community service work projects called Umuganda, which may be road widening, picking up litter, terracing, weeding or building a house for a needy person. During Umuganda, all shops and the market are closed.
On the road to the King's Palace is Nyanza's main Memorial in remembrance of the Genocide Against the Tutsi in 1994. In April of each year, people gather at the memorial to hear speeches, songs and poems to never forget what happened and for the future to say “never again.”
Sectors
Nyanza district is divided into 10 sectors (imirenge): Busasamana, Busoro, Cyabakamyi, Kibirizi, Kigoma, Mukingo, Muyira, Ntyazo, Nyagisozi and Rwabicuma.
References
- ^ Citypopulation.de Population of Nyanza District
- ^ "Wildlife Of Rwanda". www.memphistours.com. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
- "Districts of Rwanda". Statoids.
- Inzego.doc — Province, District and Sector information from MINALOC, the Rwanda ministry of local government.