In Gitega, youth entrepreneurship faces significant structural hurdles, including a lack of funding and limited awareness of available public support systems, while women are forming cooperatives to improve their living conditions. Residents of Gitega commune have expressed dissatisfaction with the slow implementation of the political capital status, citing delays in infrastructure development and regular shortages of potable water. Jacques Nduwimana, administrator of Gitega commune, acknowledged these challenges, stating, "C’est notre talon d’Achille," but affirmed that studies are underway to rehabilitate urban networks. Nduwimana added that the commune is planning for 20 years ahead, asserting, "La commune doit désormais fonctionner comme une entreprise de précision." He also noted that treating water from the Ruvubu river could serve expanding peripheral neighborhoods as the city experiences demographic growth.
Voices of Enterprise and Struggle
Emelyne Itangishaka, a member of the cooperative 'Umutwenzi Iwacu' from Gishuha hill, noted poverty as the primary reason for school dropouts in her community. Itangishaka stated, "Moi aussi, j’allais abandonner, mais j’ai eu une chance divine en recevant mon certificat." She urged parents to manage family size, explaining that having many children impacts their development. "Il faut que les parents sachent que mettre au monde plusieurs enfants affecte la croissance de ces derniers. Il faut mettre au monde le nombre d’enfants dont ils sont capables d’élever," she said, adding that community health officials should increase awareness campaigns. Itangishaka also appealed for government assistance for her cooperative's tourism site and hot springs, noting, "Nous avons besoin d’aide financière pour avancer nos projets et créer des emplois."
Nadia Irankunda, 25, also from Gishuha hill, works as a home hairdresser, locally known as 'gusuka'. Irankunda left school after completing the sixth year of primary education. She described her hairdressing work as irregular, leading to an unstable income. "Ce métier me fait vivre," she stated, but acknowledged, "J’ai des clients de temps en temps." Irankunda reported lacking a permanent workspace, stating, "Je n’ai pas d’endroit bien défini pour travailler," and faces high costs for professional materials.
Jeanne Ndayizeye, another young entrepreneur, invested over 500,000 Burundian francs to learn sewing. Ndayizeye explained her path after school, "Après l’école, je n’ai pas pu décrocher du travail. Pour m’en sortir, j’ai décidé d’apprendre la couture." She affirmed that her personal situation has improved, allowing her to support herself financially. "Ma situation a changé. Je peux subvenir à mes besoins. Aujourd’hui, personne ne peut profiter de ma vulnérabilité car, j’ai mon propre revenu," Ndayizeye said. Despite her progress, Ndayizeye expressed concern over the consistent increase in raw material prices for sewing and persistent fuel shortages. She also noted the difficulty young entrepreneurs face in securing funding. "Nous avons des projets. Mais, sans moyens financiers, ils ne peuvent pas se réaliser," Ndayizeye explained, adding that banks are often reluctant to provide loans, citing perceived unreliability among young business owners. "Les banques ne nous font pas confiance. Elles disent que nous ne sommes pas fiables."
Women's Collective Action and Domestic Challenges
Women in Gitega face various obstacles, including marital abandonment, early pregnancies, family conflicts, and agricultural difficulties. Evelyne Ndayizeye, a mother of three from Gitega, experienced these challenges firsthand after her husband expelled her from their marital home. Ndayizeye currently lives in precarious conditions, relying on aid from relatives for sustenance. Residents of Mubuga zone have expressed concerns regarding persistent difficulties in upholding women's rights, particularly in rural areas. A zone counselor acknowledged the existence of gender-based violence cases, stating that the administration is working to ensure everyone's rights are respected.
Despite these challenges, women are taking collective action. Espérance Niyonkuru, from Rutegama hill, confirmed that women are actively participating in savings and credit associations. Niyonkuru stated, "Aujourd’hui, les femmes participent activement aux associations d’épargne et de crédit. Pour ma part, je suis cultivatrice. Grâce à mon appartenance à une association, je ne manque pas de moyens pour acheter des fertilisants. Je ne peux pas manquer de quoi nourrir mes enfants. Je peux solliciter un crédit et le rembourser progressivement. En somme, nous, les femmes, progressons très bien." She also described her innovative farming methods, noting, "N’ayant pas pu me procurer des fertilisants pour mon champ de maïs, j’ai utilisé le fumier provenant de mes porcs. La production a été satisfaisante. En revanche, pour les haricots, les résultats n’ont pas été aussi bons."
Niyonkuru advises women to take charge of their destiny and contribute to family needs. She urged, "Certaines femmes passent des heures sans rien produire. Je les invite à ne pas rester inactives en attendant que leurs maris pourvoient seuls aux besoins de la famille." Niyonkuru added that a proactive approach can improve their standing within the family. "Un homme qui a une épouse combattante et travailleuse ne la traite pas à la légère. Il l’aime et la respecte plutôt. Je dirais donc aux femmes de travailler pour accroître leur valeur au sein de leurs foyers."
Domestic violence remains a concern in Gitega households, according to Scholastique Ndayisenga, a community relay. Ndayisenga stated, "Les cas de violences conjugales existent dans notre communauté." Community relays in Rutegama are conducting awareness campaigns to address these issues. Ndayisenga explained that their efforts are yielding positive results, saying, "Nos sensibilisations apportent une solution pour atténuer ces défis."
Navigating Systemic Injustices and Infrastructure Gaps
Jeanne Ndayizeye, a young entrepreneur, remains unaware of financing programs for youth such as PAEEJ, despite having invested over 500,000 Burundian francs to learn sewing. Ndayizeye stated, "After school, I couldn't find work. To get by, I decided to learn sewing." She affirmed that her personal situation has improved, allowing her to support herself financially. "My situation has changed. I can provide for my needs. Today, no one can take advantage of my vulnerability because I have my own income," she said. Ndayizeye expressed that young entrepreneurs like her often face difficulties securing funding. "We have projects. But, without financial means, they cannot be realized," Ndayizeye explained, adding that banks frequently decline loans, citing perceived unreliability. "Banks don't trust us. They say we are not reliable."
Residents of Zege, Gitega commune, have reported irregularities and alleged corruption within the local administration concerning land disputes. Spéciose Nzeyimana, 69, from Zege hill, claimed that Abahuza mediators demanded 500,000 Burundian francs to resolve her land dispute favorably. Nzeyimana urged administrators to intervene, stating, "The administrator must react. Our neighborhood chiefs or the Abahuza only want money." Diane Shurweryimana is involved in a land dispute where her family alleges their uncles seized land after their father's death. "We are only girls. There are no boys in the family. Our uncles then took possession of the land," Shurweryimana said. She claimed her family won in the first instance and at the High Court, but lost on appeal, alleging judicial corruption. "We won in the first instance and before the High Court," Shurweryimana stated, adding, "Without money to corrupt, you cannot win. They corrupted the judges to make us lose on appeal." Shurweryimana added, "We are constantly being misled. We no longer know who to turn to."
The Gishuha thermal springs site, developed in 2025, faces logistical challenges that limit its tourism potential. Access to the Gishuha thermal springs costs 2,000 BIF for nationals and 10,000 BIF for foreigners. Gloriose Kwizera noted fuel shortages as a significant problem hindering visitor numbers to the site, stating, "Visitors have to pay a lot for transport and many end up giving up." Jean Ndayizeye, a merchant in Gitega, questioned the absence of a structured public transport system compared to Bujumbura. "It's a truly relaxing water. It feels good after a long week of work," Ndayizeye said about the springs, but noted the transport issues. "We do not understand why Gitega does not have a structured public transport system as is the case in Bujumbura."
Commune Administration's Vision and Plans
Gitega commune faces a critical shortage of over 765 teachers, which the administration aims to address through a proposed education support fund. This fund, currently under study, would be financed by individuals and the commune to help stabilize the teaching workforce. The commune plans to establish professional training schools within the next two to three years, with locations identified in Giheta (Musama hill) and Gitega (Nyabugogo). Commune officials state that no children are forced to learn sitting on the floor, despite potential issues of overcrowding in classrooms. The commune is engaging with companies and financial institutions to secure support for creating 'schools of excellence'.
In healthcare, Gitega's vision emphasizes universal access to quality care, focusing on prevention, family planning, vaccination, nutrition, and disease control. The commune has initiated construction on new health centers by laying the first stone on Jimbi and Mugutu hills, alongside efforts to rehabilitate existing infrastructure. Gitega commune operates two health districts, including the Itaba Communal Hospital, which has been upgraded to a district hospital. The administration is also promoting the health insurance card policy for residents with insufficient means.
Economically, Gitega commune intends to transition from subsistence agriculture to value-added agribusiness, prioritizing export-oriented farming. To address fertilizer scarcity, the commune is actively promoting the use of compost. Additionally, Gitega commune is encouraging clean cooking solutions through the 'Soleil Nyakiriza' project and expanded use of cooking gas to reduce reliance on firewood.
Future Outlook: A Sustainable and Inclusive City
All political parties are authorized to exercise their rights within Gitega commune. The administration also confirms that studies are currently underway to rehabilitate the urban water networks in the city. To accommodate the expanding peripheral neighborhoods and Gitega's growing population, the commune plans to utilize water from the Ruvubu river. Official projections for Gitega's 2040 vision outline a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient city. This long-term plan includes the development of high-rise buildings, designated industrial zones, and modern social housing initiatives to support future growth.
