Excavations for the new Rubirizi-Rukana aqueduct have begun. After intense study, planning and site inspections, the inauguration ceremony for the works took place on April 24.
A moment of great emotion and excitement for the start of this new adventure destined to provide drinking water to six hills in the province of Cibitoke, and to completely change the lives of approximately 3,500 families.
First trenches for laying pipes
In the Rugajo area, located in the municipality of Mugina, the first concrete step has been taken: the excavation 
of the trenches where the pipes of the new water network will be laid. There are six hills that will benefit: Rushima and Rubirizi, Musenyi, Gicaca, Gabiro-Ruvyagira and Rukana.
The groundbreaking ceremony was presided over by the governor of Cibitoke province, Carême Bizoza, along with many other local authorities, demonstrating how much the project desired by AMU is appreciated and supported by the entire territory.
What does the project involve?
The Water Source of Life and Development project in Cibitoke involves the construction of a new water network of over twenty-one kilometers, 
the installation of ten water tanks and the construction of nineteen public drinking fountains, some of which are near four schools.
In addition, part of a network that already connects the Nyaruseke and Murama hills will be rehabilitated.
This phase of the project is also being carried out by AMU together with its local partner CASOBU , and sees the collaboration of the CEI (Italian Episcopal Conference).
The reactions of the inhabitants
Just look at the photographs of the ceremony to understand how broad the participation of the local communities was. Moreover, the entire project was born and has been gradually developed with constant attention to the needs of the population , and with their involvement. It is the women and men of Cibitoke, now, who are working so that – one meter after another – the entire path of the aqueduct is excavated.
But what do they think of the new aqueduct?
Vella is the mother of nine children and lives on the Rubirizi hill. She tells us about the difficulties she has experienced so far due to the lack of access to water and what her expectations are for the future: “When the springs dry up, we have to get water from the ravine, but it is contaminated by waste and fertilizers that come from the rice fields. In addition, when we build new houses, it is mostly women who have to go and get water while the men work, which is difficult because the springs are far away and it takes more than an hour’s walk.”
Louis , father of six children, also lives on Rubirizi hill and explains: “Water is very rare. When it is missing, we have to travel about eight kilometers. Sometimes we buy a can of water for 1,000 or 1,500 Burundian francs from someone who transports it by bicycle or motorbike. I spend more than 10,000 Burundian francs a day on water . All this has a big impact on the economic life of the family.”
He then adds: “The lack of drinkable water prevents us from carrying out certain commercial activities, such as washing dishes in restaurants, which promotes disease and therefore the health inspectors close our businesses”. When the aqueduct becomes operational, the advantages will be numerous , first of all for the hygienic and sanitary conditions and then, because “the money that we previously spent to buy water can be used for other essential needs of the family”.
It will then be up to the inhabitants of these hills themselves to take care of the infrastructures built to ensure their maintenance.