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63-414: The territory is located 120 km from Bukavu , 88 km from Baraka , and 26.5 km from Bujumbura . National Road 5 serves as its main transportation route, linking Bukavu in the north and Lubumbashi in the south. The local economy relies heavily on agriculture , livestock farming , fishing , and commerce , including the sale of agricultural products and essential goods. Uvira Territory is located between

126-477: A semi-arid climate , influenced by its varied topography and classified under the Köppen–Geiger climate classification . The lower-altitude zones of the territory—comprising Lubarika , Kiliba , and Luberizi —are positioned within the tropical zone (Aw1-3) and lie below 1,000 meters above sea level, receiving an annual precipitation of approximately 1,600 millimeters. Conversely, the high-altitude areas, such as

189-660: A center of Hutu insurgency from the camps against the new Watutsi government of Rwanda . In November 1996, at the start of the First Congo War , Rwandan government forces attacked the Hutu camps and forces of the Zaire government, which had allowed the insurgency. The Rwandan government supported rebels in Zaire led by Laurent Kabila , who overthrew the Kinshasa government with their help. Later,

252-511: A diverse range of flora and fauna . The Ruzizi River links Lake Kivu to Lake Tanganyika , serving as a significant water body in the region. It provides water for irrigation and supports agricultural activities. The river collects water from several rivers originating from the hills of Burundi and the western part of the Ruzizi Plain . The most important rivers in the Congolese part are

315-608: A faction of the RCD, killed tens of civilians in Uvira in Uvira Territory. Hundreds of victims were killed during confrontations, while others were executed in search operations after the fighting ended. The soldiers also perpetrated acts of rape against women during these operations. Additionally, on August 6, 1998, elements of RCD-Goma killed 13 people, including the chief of the Kiringye area, in

378-627: A faster recovery than other Congolese towns. Bukavu's proximity to the Lake Tanganyika ports of Bujumbura and Kalundu - Uvira give it an additional advantage, with access on the lake to the railheads of Kigoma (linked to Dar es Salaam ) and Kalemie (rail link to Katanga , in need of rehabilitation). Isolation, largely due to bad road infrastructure, has been found to be an important determinant of wealth and/or development in South Kivu. Bukavu has numerous lakeside wharves and boat transport

441-732: A house in Kakumbukumbu village, five kilometers from Lubarika camp in Uvira Territory. Furthermore, on October 21, 1996, AFDL/APR/FAB units killed around 370 refugees in Luberizi and Mutarule . The soldiers disposed of the victims' bodies in pit latrines , while other bodies were found in houses in the two towns. The AFDL/APR/FAB units continued to launch attacks against Hutu refugees in various parts of Uvira Territory, including Kagunga, Uvira , Kiliba , Ndunda, Ngendo, Mwaba, Bwegera , Sange , Rwenena, Kahororo, 8th CEPZA (Pentecostal Community of Zaire) Church, COTONCO, Rukogero, and Ruzia. By May 1997,

504-434: A pretext for persecution. This led to harassment , arbitrary arrests , violence , and forced expulsions . Such mistreatment, combined with other forms of discrimination and human rights abuses, intensified opposition to Mobutu's regime. Tutsis from Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi rallied behind this opposition, seeking an end to discriminatory practices and the establishment of a more inclusive and just political system. However,

567-566: A project based in Bukavu for women's trauma healing and care. Another NGO launched a program to help women affected by Violence in Panzi next to Fondation Panzi called V-Day. After the repeated wars in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the number of people wounded by the war and living with disabilities has increased considerably. A national non-profit association called Congo Handicap

630-541: A sense of exclusion and resentment among the Tutsi population. This exclusionary policy caused discontent and sparked tensions, particularly with Rwanda and Uganda , as they had supported Kabila's rise to power. In response, a faction of Tutsi soldiers, with the support of Rwandan and Ugandan armies, formed a rebel group known as the Rally for Congolese Democracy (RCD) aimed at overthrowing President Laurent-Désiré Kabila. During

693-448: A series of armed conflicts and persistent political instability . Competition over land, resources, and political control have contributed to heightened tensions and rampant violence in the territory. Furthermore, the reverberating effects of conflicts in neighboring countries, including Burundi and Rwanda, have periodically exacerbated insecurity in the region. During the Rwandan genocide ,

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756-415: Is 1,500 metres above sea level) and scenic location (Bukavu is built on five peninsulas and has been described as "a green hand, dipped in the lake"). Many colonial villas have gardens sloping down to the lakeshore. By contrast, the main residential district for ordinary people, Kadutu, climbs up the hillside inland. The surrounding hills reach a height of 2,000 metres. Formerly an administrative centre for

819-588: Is dominated by artisanal methods , yielding considerable yet undocumented outputs through informal practices. Five primary vegetation types can be identified: marshes and marshy meadows , which are predominantly populated by macrophytes and reeds ; grassy savannas dominated by species such as Imperata cylindrica , Hyparrhenia spp. , Eragrostis spp. , Urochloa eminii ( Brachiaria ruziziensis or Congo grass), and Pennisetum spp . These savannas serve as vital agricultural and pastoral reserves for local communities. Wooded savannas, characterized by

882-529: Is home to a variety of soil types and mineral resources . Predominantly sandy soils dominate, with zones of sandy loam and intermittent sandy clay . The northwestern basin of Lake Tanganyika, encompassing Uvira , features geological formations from both the Precambrian and Quaternary periods. In the Ruzizi Plain, which forms a significant part of the territory, soils can be classified into black earth of

945-600: Is one of two doctors in the eastern Congo qualified to perform a reconstructive surgery. Panzi Hospital is a teaching hospital of the Evangelical University in Africa. Bukavu is also home to the Catholic University of Bukavu's School of Medicine and General Reference teaching hospital. The pharmaceutical factory Pharmakina owned by a German immigrant and a French immigrant produces the antimalarial drug quinine and

1008-462: Is predominantly practiced on an artisanal scale in Lake Tanganyika . Local fish species include tilapia , catfish , Tanganyika sardine (locally called ndakala or sambaza), protopterus (njombo), Astatotilapia burtoni (Kijoli), clarias (kambale), Tanganyika killifish , sleek lates (mikeke), Lake Tanganyika sprat , and Nile perch . The territory is characterized by its dynamic import , export , and cross-border commerce, coupled with

1071-455: Is predominantly spoken from Kiliba to the Ruvimvi River, while Kijoba is spoken from Kalyamabenga to Sanza, historically serving as the boundary between Vira and Bembe communities. Kivira, a hybrid language resulting from the convergence of Kifuliiru and Kijoba, is spoken from Kalyamabenga to Kiliba. Additionally, other languages such as Mashi , Kibembe , and Kinyarwanda are present in

1134-408: Is robust, featuring 22 maritime agencies and 15 land-based operators, while 44 hotels and guesthouses cater to the needs of both local and international visitors. As of 2014, the territory registered 1,145 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) alongside 27 large-scale corporations operating in the territory. The predominant languages are Swahili , Kifuliiru , Kivira , and Kijoba . Kifuliiru

1197-517: Is used extensively in the Congolese waters of the lake in the absence of well maintained roads. Kavumu Airport (ICAO code: FZMA, IATA code: BKY) located about 30 kilometres north is the domestic airport for Bukavu. This airport has not been renovated for many years. There are many schools and universities present in Bukavu. The city also is known to be one that gives good education in D. R. Congo. Université Catholique de Bukavu , Université Évangélique en Afrique . The Official University of Bukavu

1260-407: The 2015 South Kivu earthquake , at least one policeman was killed. The city was damaged by the 2022 Bukavu floods . Although not threatened by volcanoes as Goma is, Bukavu is equally in danger from a potential limnic eruption from Lake Kivu, in which vast quantities of dissolved carbon dioxide and methane could explode from the lake and threaten the lives of the 2 million people who live near

1323-525: The Arabized populace in the territory of Bafuliiru. The creation of these chiefdoms was met with fierce resistance by Mwami Mahima Mukogabwe, a Fuliiru chieftain of Bafuliiru Chiefdom ( Chefferie de Bafuliiru ), who considered it an encroachment on the authority of his chiefdom. In the 1950s and 1960s, the region hosted a third wave of immigrants during the Rwandan Revolution , a period which experienced

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1386-673: The Chernozem group, Solonchak -type soils, and alkaline variants. The subsoil is rich in mineral resources, including cassiterite in Lemera and Luvungi , gold in Luberizi and Bijombo, aquamarine in Ndolera, iron in the Munanira Mountains, and amethyst in Kalungwe. Despite the significant mineral endowment, large-scale industrial exploitation remains absent. Instead, the mining sector

1449-924: The Ruzizi Plain to the east and the Mitumba Mountains to the west, forming part of the western branch of the East African Rift system. This area lies within the Albertine Rift , a sub-region of the Great Rift Valley . Its topography features a stepped relief, with altitudes ranging from 770 meters in the coastal plains near Lake Tanganyika to 3,250 meters in the mountainous regions. This diverse landscape includes coastal plains, rolling foothills, and steep mountain slopes, all intersected by numerous waterways that drain into Lake Tanganyika and Ruzizi River . The highlands are characterized by rich green vegetation, including forests and savannahs, which support

1512-566: The Ruzizi River . Moving forward to October 21, 1996, AFDL/APR/FAB units killed an unknown number of Rwandan and Burundian refugees, as well as Zairian civilians who were trying to escape the village after the departure of the FAZ in Lubarika village of Uvira Territory. The soldiers forced local people to bury the bodies in four large mass graves. On the same day, soldiers also burned thirty refugees alive in

1575-453: The groupements of Kijaga, Kalungwe, Kitundu, Kabindula, Katala, Kagando, and Muhungu, where extensive fields support local livelihoods. Territory's economy is also bolstered by its livestock farming , including cattle , pigs , goats , and poultry . Government agencies , non-governmental organizations , and development partners collaborate to provide technical assistance , training programs, and financial support to farmers. Fishing

1638-530: The humanitarian crisis in the region. On October 6, 1996, the AFDL and members of the Banyamulenge-led armed group committed a massacre at Lemera Hospital in Uvira Territory, South Kivu Province. Numerous patients, including Hutu refugees, Zairian soldiers, and Zairian civilians perished as a result. The UN Mapping Report estimates that about 37 persons were killed in their beds with bayonets or gunshots. During

1701-695: The AFDL and Banyamulenge armed forces had taken over large swaths of the nation and captured the capital, Kinshasa . Laurent-Désiré Kabila took over as president after Mobutu left the country, dubbing it the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the Second Congo War , the region experienced intense armed conflicts , turning it into a major battleground. After assuming power in 1997, Laurent-Désiré Kabila 's government faced accusations of marginalizing and discriminating against Tutsis . Kabila's government excluded Tutsis from positions of influence and power , leading to

1764-655: The Bavira paramount. The Bafulirru gradually occupied several localities in Uvira, intermarried with Bavira, and some were assimilated into Fuliiru clans. In the second half of the 19th century, Banyarwanda and Barundi pastoralists from the mountainous regions of Rwanda and Burundi settled in the area. They were accommodated by Fuliiru chiefs and established themselves in Vira and the Fuliiru territories of Mulenge and Upper Sange . During

1827-663: The Congo River ( Baptist World Alliance ), Assemblies of God , Province of the Anglican Church of the Congo ( Anglican Communion ), Presbyterian Community in Congo ( World Communion of Reformed Churches ). The city also counts a few mosques. The city is home to the Panzi Hospital . Founded by the Swedish Pentecostal Mission in 1921, its director Denis Mukwege operates on women who survive sexual violence, and

1890-754: The Kawizi and Kambekulu Rivers, with the Vira people as its main population. The Ruzizi Plain Chiefdom, located in the eastern section along the Ruzizi River and the road connecting Bukavu to Uvira, is primarily home to the Fuliiru people. These chiefdoms coexist with administrative management posts located in Makobola, Luvungi , Mulenge , and Kagando, which ensure efficient local governance. 7 groupings 5 groupings 4 groupings The territory has three rural municipalities with less than 80,000 voters: The Bazoba fishermen were

1953-1095: The Luvimvi River in Katogota , the Luvubu River in Lubarika , the Luvungi River in Luvungi , the Luberizi River in Luberizi , the Sange River in Sange , and the Runingu River in Runingu in the Uvira Territory. The rivers found in the city of Uvira include the Kiliba Rivers (which flow into the Ruzizi), Kavimvira, Mulongwe, and Kalimabenge. These three large rivers cross the city of Uvira and flow directly into Lake Tanganyika . Uvira Territory

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2016-700: The RPA and the Forces Armées Burundaises (FAB). Their involvement in pursuing Hutu refugees and overthrowing Mobutu Sese Seko 's government was marked by human rights abuses . These abuses were driven by Mobutu's authoritarian regime , which marginalized , discriminated against, and persecuted Banyamulenge . Policies implemented by Mobutu's government specifically targeted Banyamulenge, denying them political, social, and economic opportunities. Banyamulenge were accused of aligning with external forces of Rwanda , Burundi , Uganda , and Tanzania and used this as

2079-449: The RPA, AFDL, and FAB faced accusations of committing human rights violations. Reports indicate that these forces engaged in indiscriminate attacks on civilians, extrajudicial killings , sexual violence , and forced displacement . They targeted Hutu refugee camps in eastern Zaire , where large populations of Hutu civilians were living in dire conditions. Consequently, the actions of the RPA contributed to civilian casualties and exacerbated

2142-512: The Rwandan government fell out with the rebels, which lead to the Second Congo War . Rwanda supported the rebel Rally for Congolese Democracy (RCD) against Kabila. Bukavu and the rest of Sud-Kivu was the site of sporadic fighting between rebels and government forces and their proxies, including the Mayi-Mayi , especially in 1998 and 2004. On June 3, 2004, protestors in several Congolese cities took to

2205-617: The Uvira Territory housed a substantial number of Hutu refugees , along with ex- FAR / Interahamwe elements and Burundian CNDD-FDD rebels, who were escaping the advance of the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) and sought safety and sanctuary in the territory. At the beginning of the First Congo War , the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo (AFDL), a rebel coalition led by Laurent-Désiré Kabila , received support from

2268-409: The abolition of the Rwandan monarchy and the establishment of a Hutu -dominated government. Consequently, numerous Tutsis who were affiliated with the oppressive monarchy, including their Umwami (King), sought refuge in neighboring countries such as Uganda , Congo-Léopoldville , and Tanzania , resulting in their mass exodus. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) facilitated

2331-666: The bodies in mass graves . On the same day, October 20, 1996, AFDL/APR/FAB units killed an unspecified number of refugees, including around twenty in the camp's hospital in Kanganiro camp at Luvungi in Uvira Territory. They also killed an unknown number of refugees who had sought shelter in the homes of Zairian civilians at Luvingi. Additionally, on October 20, 1996, AFDL/APR/FAB units killed an unknown number of refugees and Zairian civilians who were fleeing towards Burundi in Rubenga village of Uvira Territory. The victims' bodies were then discarded in

2394-504: The city can be a tourist attraction for architecture enthusiasts. Bukavu is an important transport hub and gateway to eastern DR Congo, but as a result of the wars the road network has deteriorated and highways to Goma, Kisangani and other towns have not been fully restored. As with Goma, close proximity to the paved road network of East Africa and the functioning eastern section of the Trans-African Highway to Mombasa may allow

2457-647: The colonial era (1908–1960), the region hosted a second wave of immigrants who arrived as part of the Mission d'immigration des Banyarwanda (MIB), a movement to transplant Banyarwanda to the Belgian Congo driven by the Belgian colonial authorities who needed a workforce in European plantations and the mines of Union Minière du Haut Katanga . In 1928, the Belgian colonial power created new chiefdoms for Barundi, Banyarwanda, and

2520-455: The eastern hills and high plateaus, perpetuating violence and instability. In June 2014, around 35 people were killed in an attack in the South Kivu village of Mutarule . The attack was apparently part of dispute over cattle. Uvira Territory is primarily driven by agriculture , which serves as the foundation of employment, income generation, food security , and trade . Subsistence farming dominates agricultural activities, particularly in

2583-613: The end of the 19th century, Europeans entered Bushi, and the Congo Free State attempted to colonize the large territory. 'Muluzi' or 'Baluzi' in the plural means 'the nobleman' or 'nobility' to Shi. Before the Europeans came in Bushi Kingdom, Bukavu was called "Rusozi". The name Bukavu comes from the transformation of word 'bu 'nkafu ' (farm of cows) in Mashi, the language of Bashi. Bukavu

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2646-679: The establishment of the Bavira , the Bahamba clan of the Fuliiru people migrated to the area alongside eight other clans. According to Alfred Moeller de Laddersous , the Bahamba ( Wahamba ) clan changed their eponym to Bafuliiru. Consequently, the Bafuliiru clashed with the Bavira at the Kiliba River , after which the Bafuliiru established themselves north of the Bavira and partially within Bavira territory. They had their own paramount leader who did not depend on

2709-527: The first to settle in the region. They settled along the shores of Lake Tanganyika and relied heavily on the lake's resources for their sustenance and livelihoods . In the 17th century, the Banyalenge immigrants, led by their chief Lenge, settled in the region around Lake Tanganyika, coming from Lwindi near the Ulindi River in the mountainous hinterland. Over time, they became known as the Bavira . Following

2772-478: The generic AIDS medicament Afri-vir . Pharmakina also runs an AIDS diagnostic and treatment center. With 740 employees and about 1000 free-lance workers. After Great Lake Plantations SARL, which is Congo's only modern tea manufacturing company, Pharmakina is the largest employer in town. Women continue to face major problems of violence in the wake of war in the eastern DRC. Fondation Chirezi in August 2007 launched

2835-402: The lake. Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies Bukavu's climate as tropical savanna ( Aw ), although it is milder than most climates of its type due to high altitude. Bukavu sees very warm days and pleasant nights year round. The city has over 100 art deco buildings which were constructed during Belgian colonial rule and proposals have been made to preserve these so that

2898-723: The middle of the dry season in July. Relative insolation levels also exhibit variability, with monthly averages oscillating between 35% and 60% during the wet season (October to April) and rising to 50% to 80% in the dry season (May to September). July typically records the highest levels of solar radiation . Initially recognized by the royal decree of 28 March 1912 as part of the Kivu District , Uvira Territory's boundaries and organization were later refined by Ordinance-Law No. 21/91 of 25 February 1938 and subsequent amendments, including Decree-Law No. 67/221 of 3 May 1967. These legal frameworks defined

2961-569: The night of October 13 to 14, 1996, the AFDL and Banyamulenge armed units killed four refugees and injured seven others in the Runingu camp in Uvira Territory. Moving on to October 20, 1996, AFDL/APR/FAB units killed approximately 100 Burundian and Rwandan Hutu refugees in Itara I and II refugee camps near Luvungi village in Uvira Territory. In the neighboring village of Katala, they captured and killed refugees at point-blank range who were attempting to flee. The soldiers then compelled local people to bury

3024-537: The outlet of the Ruzizi River . It is the capital of the South Kivu Province and as of 2012 it had an estimated population of 806,940. In 2021 it has an estimated urban population of 1,133,000. Bukavu is part of the ancient territory of Bushi Kingdom , an ethnic group of South-Kivu. It was governed by a "Muluzi" Nyalukemba, when the first Arabs arrived. They were traders and often trafficked in enslaved Africans; they were influential in much of Africa. Near

3087-555: The plateaus of Sange , and Katobo, are located within the high and medium-altitude tropical zone, which ranges between 1,000 and 2,800 meters above sea level. These elevated regions also experience an annual rainfall of around 1,600 mm, despite their differing climatic characteristics. The territory experiences a pronounced biphasic seasonal cycle, characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons . The dry season extends from May to October, characterized by minimal precipitation, except for occasional storms that provide some rain. In contrast,

3150-691: The prevalence of Acacia kirkii , provide a transitional zone between grassland and forested areas. Xerophilous groves also contribute to the landscape, adapting to drier conditions. Forests, though now reduced to relic patches, are found primarily in transitional zones between savanna and forest ecosystems. The region is also home to several medicinal plants valued by the local population, including Syzygium guineense , Tetradenia riparia , Plantago palmata , and Rhus vulgaris . Some of these plants have been analyzed in vitro by Congolese scientists, revealing their phytochemical properties, though many remain understudied. Uvira Territory experiences

3213-839: The sale of agricultural and fishing products that significantly contribute to the territory's revenue. Imports include wheat flour , sugar , rice , iodized salt , vegetable oil , tomatoes , and vehicle parts . The territory is further supported by artisanal soap manufacturing units, bakeries , guesthouses , hotels , and transportation services . The key commercial hubs are in Kiliba and Sange , with additional ones located in Uvira city . Leading firms include Kotecha Company, famous for its Supermatch brand; Maison SHEN/MED, specializing in sports equipment ; Ets Maki, dealing in household goods ; and Datco House. Other businesses include Maison KASH/ND/Kazuba for tools , KAJ/NGA MUSAF/R/ Depot, and Maison Mbuguje, an oil supplier . The transportation sector

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3276-407: The settlement of refugees in historically significant sites such as Lemera , Mulenge , and Katobo , mirroring the locations where their predecessors sought refuge in the 19th century. Many of these refugees ended up dispersing throughout various parts of the Kivu Region and settling in some of its most remote and inaccessible areas. Over the course of three decades, the region has been plagued by

3339-530: The streets to demonstrate against the United Nations for failing to prevent Bukavu from falling to Rwandan-backed RCD forces led by General Nkunda . About 16,000 women were raped on a single weekend after General Nkunda told his troops "This city is yours for three days." Nkunda was later persuaded to fall in line with the peace accords which ended the war and re-integrate his troops with the Congolese government forces. In September 2007 he rebelled again and started attacking government troops north of Goma. During

3402-427: The territorial configuration, which remains largely intact today. Uvira Territory consists of two urban centers , three chiefdoms , four administrative posts, and three communes . Established on 25 February 1938, the territory originally included three urban centers: Uvira , Kiliba , and Sange , all of which were elevated to city status by Presidential Order No. 87/723 on 29 June 1987. Later, on 13 June 2019, Uvira

3465-402: The territory, albeit in a secondary capacity . Notably, Swahili acts as the unifying language , transcending these diverse groups and serving as the most widely spoken language in the region. Bukavu Bukavu is a city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), lying at the extreme south-western edge of Lake Kivu , west of Cyangugu in Rwanda , and separated from it by

3528-407: The village of Lwiburule, located 53 kilometers northwest of Uvira. Moreover, on August 6, 1998, elements of the RCD-Goma and RPA killed 15 people in the area around Kivovo, Kigongo, and Kalungwe villages, located 11 kilometers south of Uvira in Uvira Territory. In the Uvira Territory town of Katogota on May 14, 2000, RCD-Goma carried out a massacre that left more than 300 people dead. Efforts to end

3591-518: The war gained traction in 2002, resulting in the signing of the Sun City Agreement in South Africa . The agreement aimed to establish a transitional government and a roadmap for peace and stability in the DRC. The war officially concluded in July 2003 with the signing of the Global and All-Inclusive Agreement on Transition in Kinshasa . However, despite the formal end of the conflict, the region continued to face significant challenges in achieving lasting peace and stability. Armed groups persisted in

3654-460: The war, various factions, including government forces, rebel groups, and foreign militias, committed atrocities and human rights abuses. Civilians, regardless of their ethnicity, suffered during the conflict, with widespread displacement , sexual violence , and other war-related atrocities affecting communities across the country. On August 6, 1998, the Rally for Congolese Democracy–Goma ( Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie-Goma ; RCD-Goma),

3717-457: The wet season spans November to May, bringing sustained rainfall to the region. Temperature patterns in Uvira Territory are influenced by the seasonal cycle. Monthly average temperatures fluctuate between 22.5°C and 25°C throughout the year. Peak maximum temperatures, ranging from 30.5°C to 32.5°C, manifest toward the conclusion of the dry season in September. Conversely, the lowest minimum temperatures, between 14.5°C and 17°C, are recorded during

3780-403: The whole of the Kivu region, the town lost some of its status as a result of the growth of Goma and the late 20th century wars that erupted in the Congo following the 1994 Rwandan Genocide . Following those massacres, Hutu refugees and many members of the former Hutu-led government fled Rwanda, contributing to the Great Lakes refugee crisis . The refugee camps around Goma and Bukavu became

3843-414: Was established in 1901 by the Congo Free State which became the Belgian Congo in 1908. Originally named Bukavu, it was named " Costermansville " (in French) or " Costermansstad " (in Dutch) in 1927, after Vice Governor-General Paul Costermans . In 1953, the name was changed back to Bukavu. It had a prominent European population under colonial rule. They were attracted by the subtropical climate (Lake Kivu

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3906-519: Was founded in 1993. Kahuzi-Biéga National Park , a World Heritage Site and one of two homes of the eastern lowland gorilla , is close to the city and can be reached from the road to Kavumu. The park headquarters at Tshivanga is located 31 km from Bukavu. Among the places of worship , they are predominantly Christian churches and temples: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bukavu ( Catholic Church ), Kimbanguist Church , Baptist Community of Congo ( Baptist World Alliance ), Baptist Community of

3969-411: Was reclassified as a city through Presidential Decree No. 13/029, leaving Kiliba and Sange as the principal towns within the territory. Three chiefdoms— Bafuliiru , Bavira, and the Ruzizi Plain—define the territory. The Bafuliiru Chiefdom occupies the northern area between the Luvinvi and Kawizi Rivers and is predominantly inhabited by the Fuliiru people . The Bavira Chiefdom lies to the south, between

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