[01] Virginie Mugororeyimana, Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Lay Adventists of Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda. [02] Vincent Rubimbura Mwine, Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Lay Adventists of Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda. [03] Willy Uwimana, Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Lay Adventists of Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda. [04] Theophile Dusengimana, Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Lay Adventists of Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda. [05] Lamek Nahayo, Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Lay Adventists of Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda.

The management of marshlands is of crucial importance to the community wellbeing. In Rwanda, several policies like buffer zone policy and relocation of activities in marshland are initiated for marshland management despite its high population density affecting the ecosystem while searching for daily subsistence. This expresses that full community engagement in marshland management can help to ensure that present and future generations benefit from marshland services. This study aimed to assess the impact of community involvement in marshland management with the case of Rubilizi marshland located in Kigali city of Rwanda. The authors selected 100 respondents from the community surrounding the marshland, and a structured questionnaire and interview helped to collect relevant informant among respondents. The results were analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel. The results indicated that the majority of respondents (57 percent) had archived primary level of education which is a good indicator of how intervening protection policies can be well executed since people are able to read and interpret the information. In addition, it was noted that 41 percent of respondents are married and 33% of them possess land around Rubilizi marshland through freehold. This again can be referred while approaching the community for conserving the marshland since a large number from family members will be approached. This is a high number from which policies can build on to minimize misuse of the marshland. This study can help policy makers and partners to understand the benefits of community participation in marshland management and conservation.

Community Involvement, Marshland Management, Rubilizi Marshland, Rwanda

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