Uvira has been significantly impacted by long-term conflict and frequent population displacements, which have affected the city and surrounding regions for nearly four decades.[14][15]
Geography
Uvira is located at the northernmost tip of Lake Tanganyika. To the north are Kavimvira's hot springs and the Nyangara marshlands; to the south lies the Ruzizi River, forming a natural border with the Kalungwe groupement of the Bavira Chiefdom.[16] Lake Tanganyika and Burundi border it to the east, while the Mitumba mountains rise to the west.[16] Kalundu, a lake port located at the southern end of the city, serves as a connection point for boats heading to Kalemie in Tanganyika Province, Kigoma in Tanzania, Pulungu in Zambia, and Bujumbura. Located approximately 120 km from Bukavu (South Kivu's capital), Uvira is accessible by road from Bukavu and Bujumbura and is 60 km from Fizi Territory.[17] Lake Tanganyika supports thriving fishing and transportation industries.[13][18][19]
Uvira is characterized by the presence of several rivers and is rich in streams. The city is dominated by Lake Tanganyika, which borders it from the northeast and southeast. From the west, Uvira is crossed by various rivers, namely the Kamberulu River, Ruzizi River, Kakungwe River, Kibinda River, Kamanyola River, Kalimabenge River, Mulongwe River, and Kanvinvira River. The presence of Lake Tanganyika significantly influences the climate and weather patterns in the region, as large bodies of water have an impact on local temperatures and precipitation.[20]
Drought-adapted xerophilous groves host species resilient to the arid microclimates of the region, while fragmented relics of forested areas persist as ecological vestiges in transitional zones.[21] Extensive deforestation, exacerbated by conflict-induced socio-economic strain, has significantly depleted these once-prominent forests.[21]
The city experiences a tropical climate with a clear division between wet and dry seasons. The wet season in Uvira typically occurs from January to mid-May and from mid-September to December, and a dry season spanning from June to September.[20] Temperature variations align with the seasons and elevation, with lower temperatures in the high plateau (15° to 25°C) and moderate temperatures (20° to 30°C) in the Ruzizi Plain during the dry season.[20]
Administrative divisions
Uvira's administrative framework is rooted in its historical development since 1911, molded by its strategic role.[8] On 17 October 1900, the Congo Free State—under the rule of King Leopold II of Belgium—established a war council in Uvira to facilitate the conquest and administration of the Kivu region.[8] Uvira's pivotal location at the northern entry to Kivu allowed for monitoring German East Africa positions in neighboring Ruanda-Urundi and Tanganyika.[8] In 1908, King Leopold II ceded the Congo Free State to Belgium, transitioning the territory into what would become the Belgian Congo.[8]
Uvira in February 2023
A central administrative shift occurred on 11 September 1911, when a ministerial decree formally annexed Kivu to the Stanleyville District (later part of the Orientale Province of the Belgian Congo) and designating Uvira as the district headquarters.[8] This administrative body included three sectors—Tanganyika, Edward, and Rutshuru—with Uvira, Beni, and Rutshuru serving as the sector capitals.[8] In 1914, however, Kivu's capital was transferred from Uvira to Rutshuru.[8] Uvira's administrative structure was further refined in 1928 with the establishment of Uvira Territory, organized into three chiefdoms: Bafuliru, Bavira, and Barundi.[8] Ordinance-Law No. 21/91, issued on 25 February 1938, defined Uvira Territory's boundaries and administrative structure, which included three chiefdoms (Bafuliiru, Bavira, and the Ruzizi Plain), three urban centers (Uvira, Kiliba, and Sange), and three administrative posts (Makobola, Luvungi, and Mulenge).[8] This administrative configuration remained unaltered by Order No. 67-221, issued on 3 May 1967.[8]
In recognition of its growing population and economic significance, a 2013 Prime Ministerial decree granted city status to Uvira.[8][24] Leading up to the 2018 general elections, the government reaffirmed this designation.[25][26][27] On 27 December 2018, President Joseph Kabila formalized Uvira's city status through a presidential decree,[28] which was further strengthened by Decree No. 13/029 on 13 June 2019.[29] This decree conferred city and municipal status to various agglomerations in South Kivu, making Uvira the province's second city after Bukavu.[29] Kiza Muhato, a noted civil society figure, was appointed as mayor, with Kiki Kifara Kapenda serving as the deputy mayor.[28]
The migratory dispersions undertaken by the Bavira prior to their eventual settlement in the Uvira Territory.
Uvira has a long and intricate history influenced by the convergence of different ethnic groups over time. According to early accounts by Alfred Moeller de Laddersous, the region's initial inhabitants were Bazoba, a community of fishermen along Lake Tanganyika's shores.[31][17] The region was subsequently occupied by the Banyalenge (or Benelenge), immigrants who derived their name from their chief, Lenge, who likely migrated from Maniema around the 17th century.[17] Over time, the Banyalenge became known as the Bavira and emerged as the ruling clan of the ethnic group.[17][32] The name "Bavira" is derived from "Kivira", meaning "oil palm" in the local language, a reference to the palm-rich landscape that led neighboring communities to associate the people with the "land of oil palms".[17]
Following the Vira settlement, the Bahamba clan of the Fuliiru people arrived in the region, establishing themselves north of the Bavira, partly within Bavira territory. Notably, the Bahamba clan had their own paramount leader who operated independently from the Bavira paramount. Gradually, the Bahamba clan expanded their paramountcy, occupying considerable localities along the north-western coastline of the Ruzizi Plain, stretching from Uvira to Luvungi. The expansion led to the establishment of the Bahamba dynasty, which governed the various parts of the region. Inter-marriage between the Bavira and Bafuliiru clans occurred, which further intertwined their cultures and forged social connections.[33][34]
The region experienced an influx of Barundi and Banyarwanda immigrants In the latter half of the 19th century. The Barundi immigrants were predominantly Tutsis, accompanied by a smaller number of Hutus who were harbored in Ruzizi Plain by Bafuliiru. They were later dispersed to various localities in Uvira.[38] Conversely, the majority of Banyarwanda immigrants were mostly Tutsi herders who were accommodated by Fuliiru chief in Mulenge and Upper Sange, incrementally establishing their presence.[39][40] During the Rwandan Revolution and the Rwandan genocide, a significant number of refugees settled in various regions of Uvira.[41][42][43]
Three men of Dugumbé ben Habib raiding the market of Nyangwe, July 15th, 1871
Father Van der Burgt noted in his Dictionary that in 1897–8, there were a few discreet slave dealers in Uzige (in the region of Usumbura), Bangwana (Islamized people from Unyamwezi or the Congo basin), Basumbwa, Bavira (from the country of Uvira), and Bayangayanga (peddlers from the southern part of Burundi, specialized in the trade of salt and iron).[17] He added that a boy was worth two to four fundo or strings of beads, while a girl was worth twice as much (a fundo was valued at 0.30F at that time).[47][17] In Uvira, Arab-Swahili traders established commercial networks and often collaborated with local intermediaries to capture, enslave, and transport people. The native population also engaged in trade, exchanging slaves, ivory, ironobjects, bark clothing, palm oil, bananas, grain, and cassava, which led to the development of a significant commercial center that traded products from all the interlacustrine kingdoms and chiefdoms.[17][45]
"The Uvira trade is important, the place is very busy because of the abundance and the low price of food: it is a large warehouse of slaves, ivory, clothing of bark and iron objects of the northern region of the lake, and in the travel season, it is rare that a day passes without several canoes coming there to fetch goods and food. Rice is not grown there, but sorghum and maize are bought there".[17]
Following the Congo-Arab War, the slave trade began to decline. While the war did not entirely eradicate the slave trade, it significantly contributed to its decline. The conflict disrupted the existing networks and operations of Arab-Swahili slave traders, making it considerably more challenging for them to continue their slave-trading activities as before. Furthermore, with the arrival of the Force Publique, the Belgian colonial forces in the region, there was an increase in scrutiny and intervention against the slave trade. Motivated by their own economic interests and responding to international pressure, the Belgian colonial authorities actively sought to suppress the slave trade and implemented various anti-slavery measures advocated by abolitionists.[48][49][50][51]
The capture of Uvira on 25 October 1996 saw renewed atrocities committed by AFDL/RPA/FAB units, including indiscriminate killings that resulted in the deaths of several hundred people, including Hutu refugees and Zairean civilians.[55] During the Second Congo War, ANC/RPA/FAB operatives killed dozens of civilians in Uvira on 6 August 1998. Hundreds of victims were killed during confrontations with the RCD-Goma when they attempted to seek shelter or escape from the combat zone. Others were executed after the fighting ended during search operations. Women were also subjected to rape by the soldiers during these operations.[55]
Sange Bridge following the 2020 torrential rainfall
The official end of the war came in July 2003 with the signing of the Global and All-Inclusive Agreement on Transition in Kinshasa.[56][57] However, despite the formal end of the war, the region continues to face sporadic outbreaks of violence, often involving armed groups, militias, and inter-communal tensions. These ongoing conflicts have resulted in further violence, population displacement, and human rights abuses in Uvira and its surrounding areas.[52][58][59][60] In 2017, the CNPSC rebel group launched an attack on the city, which was repelled by the national army and MONUSCO forces.
2020 torrential rainfall
On 17 April 2020, torrential downpours in Uvira resulted in deadly floods, with 24 people losing their lives as the Mulongwe River overflowed.[61][62][63]Radio Okapi reported that water descending from the mountains inundated key streets and National Road No. 5.[64] Official records show 3,500 homes damaged,[65] and UM News, the United Methodist Church's official news outlet, noted that nearly 70,000 people were displaced.[66] The floods also damaged two major bridges in the neighboring areas, including Runingu and Sange.[67]
Due to Uvira's close location to Lake Tanganyika—the world's second-deepest lake and a source of rich aquatic life—fishing has developed as a primary economic activity, supporting around 1% of residents directly or indirectly.[11][12] This sector involves local communities, including the Vira, Fuliru, and Bembe, who cultivate various fish types such as tilapia, catfish, kapenta (referred to locally as ndakala or sambaza), protopterus (locally called njombo), Astatotilapia burtoni (or Kijoli), clarias (known as kambale), Tanganyika killifish, sleek lates (regionally called mukeke), Lake Tanganyika sprat, and Nile perch.[72][73][17] Fishing contributes to food security, alleviating malnutrition, and improving the nutritional status of communities, particularly those living in rural areas or in nearby cities and towns such as Sange, Luvungi, and Kiliba. It also provides significant income-generating opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs, who sell their fish products in notable markets such as Marché Maendeleo, Marché Kalimabenge, and Marché Mulongwe.[12][72]
The city benefits from its close geographical location, which enables it to engage in internal and external trade with Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Rwanda, the city of Bukavu, Kalemie, and the Fizi Territory. Itinerant trade, commuting, and freight forwarding are primarily conducted by the local population. The main public markets include Kalundu, Maendeleo, Kalimabenge, Soko Congolese "Zairians", Kasenga, Kanvimvira, and Kilomoni.[72]
The primary communication channels that facilitate traffic with the outside world are:
The lake route ensures the transportation of people and goods on Lake Tanganyika, connecting neighboring and foreign countries such as Burundi, Tanzania, and Zambia. This route is serviced by boats and ships.[72]
The land route connects Uvira-Bukavu, and another section links Uvira to Bujumbura. There is also a route connecting Uvira to Kalemie via the Fizi Territory.[72]
Demographics
Uvira is home to a diverse population consisting of native ethnic groups of Bantu origin, including Vira, Fuliiru, Bembe, Zoba, Lega, Shi, Nyindu, Luba and Bangubangu.[5] The city also hosts a significant expatriate community from countries including Burundi, Rwanda, Zambia, Tanzania, Belgium, France, Sweden, China, and India.[5] Among the native groups, the Vira, who speak Kivira, predominantly occupy the Bavira Chiefdom from Makobola to Kawizi. The Fuliiru predominantly inhabit the mountainous terrains along the Uvira-Bukavu road corridor and represent the majority in the northern regions, whereas the Bembe predominantly reside in the southern sectors of Uvira, encompassing the Kakungwe, Kimanga, and Kalundu.[5]
Before receiving city status, Uvira consisted of 14 neighborhoods (quartiers), with Kakombe having the highest population density. It had a workforce of 24,407 residents, accounting for 12.5% of the city's total population. Mulongwe and Kibondwe neighborhoods had the second and third-highest populations, with 20,531 and 3,687 inhabitants, respectively.[5]
The 2014 civil status statistics for Uvira's neighborhoods (quartiers) prior to its designation as a city:[77][5][32]
Neighborhoods (quartiers)
Population
1.
Kabindula
14,306
2.
Kakombe
24,174
3.
Kalundu
23,549
4.
Kasenga
19,449
5.
Kavimvira
19,549
6.
Kibondwe
4,947
7.
Kilibula
9,320
8.
Kimanga
13,656
9.
Mulongwe
22,998
10.
Nyamianda
11,230
11.
Rombe I
20,832
12.
Rombe II
16,046
13.
Rugenge
6,185
14.
Songo
19,118
The preponderance of Uvira's residents are nationals, with a workforce tallying 194,669 people, equating to 99.8% of the populace.[5] Foreign nationals constitute just 0.2%, with most of them residing in Kilibula, which accommodates 26.7% of the expatriate demographic. Burundians form the largest foreign contingent, comprising 55.2%, followed by Rwandans at approximately 37.5%.[5] In Mulongwe, the workforce shows near gender parity, with approximately 98,390 women and 96,696 men. As of 2009, the city's population was estimated at 171,409, including 484 foreign residents.[5]
Religion
Uvira is predominantly Christian, encompassing a heterogeneous spectrum of denominations.[78] The Roman Catholic Church holds a prominent position in the city, housing the episcopal seat of the Diocese of Uvira alongside its cathedral and three parochial jurisdictions.[78]Protestant Christianity is also well-established, represented by diverse sects such as Pentecostals, Free Methodist Church, the Communauté Baptiste au Centre de l'Afrique (CBCA), the Communauté des Églises Libres de Pentecôte en Afrique (CELPA), Missões Evangelísticas Vinde Amados Meus (MEVAM), Church of the Dominators, and Seventh-day Adventist Church.[78] Additionally, there is a notable presence of revivalist congregations and restorationist movements, including Jehovah's Witnesses.[78]
The Kimbanguist Church, a distinctly Congolese Christian sect, constitutes a significant facet of the city's religious identity.[78] Non-Christian faiths, although constituting a minority, contribute to the city's spiritual diversity. This includes a small Muslim community as well as other religious entities such as the Church of "Dieu Poisson", colloquially referred to as Mayebo.[78]
Uvira has emerged as a critical epicenter of the ongoing 2023–2024 mpox epidemic within South Kivu Province.[83] The General Hospital of Uvira has been actively engaged in the treatment of mpox patients, providing free treatment to those affected.[83] To mitigate the outbreak, the health zone has established a specialized mpox treatment facility adhering to protocols instituted by the Ministry of Public Health.[83] Despite these interventions, significant obstacles persist, including limited access to emergency healthcare services and difficulties in the timely identification of cases due to insufficient resources.[83]
Waterborne diseases
Cholera and diarrheal diseases are entrenched within Uvira's public health profile, rendering the city a recognized cholera "hotspot".[82] Data from the General Hospital of Uvira reveals an average of 1,200 hospital admissions annually for acute diarrheal illnesses between 2009 and 2021, with approximately 40% of these cases attributed to cholera based on rapid diagnostic tests introduced in 2016.[82]
Water supply challenges
The city's water infrastructure, originally built in 1958, suffered extensive damage during the First Congo War, leaving the majority of Uvira's residents reliant on unsafe water sources.[82] Before recent upgrades, only 30% of residents had intermittent access to piped water, with most households resorting to rivers (62%), public taps (53%), or Lake Tanganyika (34%) for water according to household surveys conducted in 2016–2017.[82]Water treatment practices remained minimal, with only 6% of households reporting any form of water purification.[82] Free residual chlorine, a critical indicator of water safety, was detected in merely 8% of household water samples, predominantly from piped supplies.[82]
Sanitation infrastructure was similarly inadequate, with no centralized wastewater management system in place. Households rely predominantly on shared latrines (41%), private outdoor latrines (27%), or engage in open defecation (20%).[82]
Infrastructure improvement efforts
In response to these challenges, the French Development Agency (AFD), the Veolia Foundation (VF), and REGIDESO launched a comprehensive water infrastructure improvement project in 2014.[82] It encompassed significant upgrades to the city's water supply system, including the refurbishment of the primary water intake on the Mulongwe River, modernization of water treatment and pumping stations, construction of a 1,600-m³ storage tank in the southern sector, and development of a piped distribution network with household connections.[82] Key improvements included the expansion of the water treatment plant's capacity through advanced coagulation, flocculation, sand filtration, and chlorination processes.[82] Additionally, a new 2,000-m³ storage tank was constructed in the city's northern area, and 24 kilometers of new water pipes were installed alongside the rehabilitation of 10 kilometers of existing pipes.[82] The project initially targeted the installation of 115 new community taps and the establishment or rehabilitation of 2,997 private water connections. Between September 2019 and December 2021, significant progress was achieved, with 56 community taps installed, 1,191 new private connections established, and 717 existing connections rehabilitated.[82] By the conclusion of the extended initiative, 2,368 private connections and 93 community taps had been rendered operational.[82]
Culture
Sport
Stade de l'Unité d'Uvira
Uvira is a prominent sporting hub in the region, boasting two basketball courts and several football fields. It is home to the city's biggest and most popular stadium, Stade de l'Unité d'Uvira, as well as Stade Epanza. These stadiums serve as gathering places for sports enthusiasts, political election campaigns, public speaking, football matches, athletics competitions, and various sporting events. Despite having these facilities, Uvira is home to only three women's football teams.[5]
In addition to its sporting infrastructure, Uvira offers various recreational venues, such as performance halls like Baraza la Parokya and the chapel school, as well as the grand hall of the Mulongwe parish. Moreover, the city is dotted with bars, clubs, dancing clubs, cabarets, and bistros. Uvira's coastal areas, especially Saga I and Saga II beaches, are also a hit among visitors.[5][84]
Media
The city served as a vital crossroads for diverse media outlets, providing the local population with essential news, information, and entertainment in Swahili, Lingala, and French.[5]
Some of the city's prominent media outlets includes:
Vodacom: Vodacom is a major telecommunications company in the region, providing mobile and internet services. While not a media outlet in the traditional sense, it plays a crucial role in enabling communication and access to digital content for residents in Uvira.
Zain: Zain offers mobile and internet services in the area. Similar to Vodacom, it plays a vital role in facilitating communication and connectivity for individuals and businesses.
Orange RDC (formerly Congo Chine Télécoms; CCT): CCT provides mobile services and connectivity to the local population.
U-Com: U-Com offers various communication services, including mobile and internet, in Uvira and surrounding areas.
Télécel: Télécel is a mobile network operator that provides cellular services to residents of Uvira. It enables communication and access to mobile data services.
The city is also enriched by the presence of several local media outlets:
Pylon (antenna) of Tigo: The Pylon is probably a broadcasting infrastructure that facilitates the transmission of Tigo's telecommunications services, including voice and data, in the region.
RTNC station of Uvira: RTNC (Radiotélévision nationale congolaise) is the national public broadcaster in the DRC. The RTNC station in Uvira likely broadcasts news, cultural programs, and other content of national interest to the local community.
Radio Mitumba: Radio Mitumba is a local radio and television station in Uvira that provides news, entertainment, and cultural programming.
Radio Tuungane: Radio Tuungane is also local radio station in Uvira that serves as a platform for news, community discussions, and entertainment.
Radio Télévision Lukula: Radio Télévision Lukula is a local radio and television station that broadcasts a variety of content, including news, music, and cultural programming.
Radio Le Messager du Peuple: Radio Le Messager du Peuple is a local radio station in Uvira that focuses on news, community information, and religious programming.
Education
The education system in Uvira, like many parts of the Uvira Territory, faces numerous challenges, including a shortage of qualified teachers, limited resources, overcrowded classrooms, and inadequate funding. Despite these obstacles, the community places great value on education, and students and families strive to maximize the available educational opportunities. Non-governmental organizations and international partners also collaborate to support and enhance the education sector in Uvira and other regions in the country.[85][86][87][88]
Chubaka, Bishikwabo (1987). "Aux origines de la ville d'Uvira selon les exporateurs et les pionniers de la colonisation belge au Zaire (1840-1914)". Civilisations. 37 (1): 83–126. JSTOR41968746.
^"Décret n° 18/020 du 30 mai 2018"(PDF). Journal officiel de la République Démocratique du Congo (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 1 July 2019. Col 13–14. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
^Culture et société, Volume 4 (in French). Ministère de la Jeunesse, des Sports et de la Culture, Centre de Civilisation Burundaise. 1981. pp. 108–120.
^Depelchin, jacques (1974). From Pre-capitalism to Imperialism: A History of Social and Economic Formations in Eastern Zaire (Uvira Zone, C. 1800-1965). Stanford, California: Stanford University. pp. 80–90.
^Namujimbo, Déo (August 2014). Je reviens de l'enfer: Reportage de guerre à l'est de la RD Congo - (août-septembre 1998) (in French). Paris, France: Éditions L'Harmattan. p. 14. ISBN9782336353289.
^Depelchin, Jacques (1974). From Pre-capitalism to Imperialism: A History of Social and Economic Formations in Eastern Zaire. Stanford, California, United States: Stanford University. pp. 166–170.
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