Nyaruguru 26^th September 2020: Minister of Infrastructure Honourable Claver Gatete together with Governor of Southern Province Alice Kayitesi, Heads of Agencies and local leaders held a 2-day field working visit to assess the status of ongoing infrastructure projects. The field working visit was conducted in Nyaruguru, Huye and Nyanza Districts.

Among projects visited a 300- bedroom hospital under construction in Munini Sector, Nyaruguru District. The physical progress of the project is 75% and expected to be operational early 2021. This is a presidential pledge project and the plan is to deliver 160 beds for the first phase and 140 beds for phase II.

The 7 billion facility is placed on 18,479 square meters and is meant to reduce the spread of diseases in the region through natural ventilation systems, isolated services, and improved access to hand-washing stations. The hospital will also use exterior corridors, further limiting the risk of airborne transmission. The building’s largest program – private rooms and open wards – are each set back from the building’s face to provide dedicated balconies, shading, and outdoor space throughout the facility.

Minister Gatete also visited the 66.3km Huye-Kibeho-Munini connecting Huye and Nyaruguru Districts. The US$97 million investment will boost socio-economic activities and attract tourism investments in the region, specifically in Huye and Nyaruguru districts. Funded with concessional loan from Exim Bank of China and constructed by Sinohydro Corporation Limited, the project is expected to be complete by April 2022.

The delegation also visited Yanza IDP Model Village that houses 40 households relocated from high risk zones and Kivugiza IDP Model Village Phase I to accommodate families to be relocated from Mukato border village in Nyaruguru District, Southern Province.

Other infrastructure projects visited in Nyaruguru include Nyungwe belt and border access roads, Yanza Water Treatment Plant and 13 cross border villages. The electricity supply in Nyaruguru stands at 92.5% (38.4% on grid and 54.1% off-grid) as well as Unilever roads for tea farm and processing factories.