Football Unites Communities to Protect Rugezi Marsh and Grey Crowned Crane

The month-long Umusambi Football Tournament, aimed at raising awareness about conserving Rugezi Marsh and protecting the endangered Grey Crowned Crane, concluded Friday in Ruhunde Sector, Burera District.

Organized by the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA), the tournament brought together eight sectors surrounding the marsh, six from Burera District and two from Gicumbi District.

In the women’s category, Gatebe Sector clinched the trophy and a RWF 500,000 cash prize, while Miyove Sector came second, earning RWF 300,000. For men, Kivuye Sector emerged victorious, also receiving RWF 500,000, with Nyankenke Sector in second place and RWF 300,000 richer.

Dr. Deo Ruhagazi, Deputy CEO of RWCA, said the initiative is about blending sport with environmental education.

“Rugezi Marsh is one of Rwanda’s most important wetlands and a Ramsar site, home to a quarter of all Grey Crowned Cranes in the country,” he said. “We want the community to take ownership of its protection. Through football, we have found a fun, productive way to deliver conservation messages.”

This was the third edition of the tournament, which RWCA says has already contributed to reducing harmful activities in the wetland, such as illegal grass cutting, poaching, and fires, threats made worse by the peat-rich soil of Rugezi that makes fires difficult to extinguish.

A biodiversity survey conducted in 2024 revealed the marsh hosts 638 species, including 433 never before recorded there, 197 plant species, 127 bird species, and 53 mammal species, among them 22 bat species.

According to Dr. Ruhagazi, conserving the crane also safeguards these other species, making the bird an “umbrella species” for broader biodiversity protection.

Burera District’s Vice Mayor for Social Affairs, Theophile Mwanangu, highlighted the marsh’s wider importance.

“Rugezi Marsh not only provides clean air but also sustains Lake Burera, which powers the Ntaruka hydropower plant. Water from Lake Burera flows into Lake Ruhondo, generating electricity at Mukungwa. Protecting the marsh directly supports our economy and national development,” he said.

He added, “So this is a good opportunity for us to raise awareness and sensitize the community around Rugezi Marsh and, in general, remind them to conserve the biodiversity that exists there.”

The RWCA says the Umusambi Tournament will remain an annual fixture, using sport to unite communities while keeping conservation at the heart of the game.