The Minister in charge of Emergency Management, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Albert Murasira, has visited Gisuma hill in Nyabihu District to assess escalating soil erosion that has already destroyed more than eight hectares of land and damaged infrastructure.
The hill, located in Shyira Sector’s Kanyamitana Cell, has been experiencing progressive land degradation, with sections collapsing and raising fears of a potential disaster among nearby residents.
Accompanied by Nyabihu District Mayor Mukandayisenga Antoinette, the minister conducted an on-site inspection before directing all concerned institutions, including technical teams under the Ministry in charge of emergency management, to urgently design and implement robust mitigation measures.
He stressed that timely intervention is critical to prevent further environmental damage and safeguard lives, as communities living on and around the hill face increasing risk.
Authorities indicate that the erosion, which began in early 2023, has intensified over time, with the hill gradually cracking and giving way to mudflows mixed with rocks, worsening the destruction of land and infrastructure.
During the visit, Murasira also inspected the Jaba resettlement site in Mukamira Sector, where 76 houses are under construction for families displaced by the 2023 floods. He called for the acceleration of construction works to ensure the affected families are relocated without delay.
Residents in the area continue to express concern over the instability of Gisuma hill, warning that without swift and sustained intervention, the situation could escalate into a major disaster.
