The handover ceremony took place on Saturday, May 30, 2026, and coincided with Rwanda’s monthly Community Work Day (Umuganda). The initiative was implemented through Asharami Energy Rwanda, Sahara Group’s subsidiary in Rwanda, as part of its long-term environmental sustainability program.
The forest is located in Rusheshe Cell, Kagese and Gatare Villages, Masaka Sector, Kicukiro District. In 2024, Asharami Energy Rwanda received six hectares of land from local authorities, where it planted more than 10,000 treesand committed to their care and maintenance. The company also planted an additional 2,000 trees along the Masaka–Kabuga road corridor.
Speaking during the handover event, Martha Mutunda, an employee of Asharami Energy Rwanda, explained that the project was launched as part of the company’s commitment to environmental protection.
“Two years ago, Asharami set out to contribute to environmental conservation. Since Rwanda also prioritizes environmental sustainability, we sought guidance from the relevant authorities on how best we could support this national agenda,” she said.
According to Mutunda, the company first engaged the Ministry of Environment, which later connected them with the City of Kigali and eventually local leaders in Masaka Sector.
“Masaka authorities supported us by allocating this six-hectare piece of land and an area along the road linking Masaka and Kabuga. We planted 10,000 trees in the forest area and another 2,000 trees along the roadside. We have taken care of the forest for the past two years, and today you can see that it has grown well and is thriving,” she added.
This employee at Asharami Energy Rwanda,expressed gratitude to local leaders and residents who worked closely with the company throughout the project.
“We sincerely thank the leadership of Masaka and the local communities for their support. Their commitment has played a significant role in ensuring the success of this project. We now encourage them to continue protecting and preserving this forest so that it can grow even further and restore the natural ecosystem that once existed here.”
Beyond environmental conservation, Mutunda highlighted several other community development initiatives undertaken by Asharami Energy Rwanda across the country.
“Asharami implements a number of social responsibility programs every year. In Kayonza, we donated cows to 21 families through the Girinka program and provided health insurance to more than 3,000 residents. In Muhanga, we supplied solar lighting systems to about 150 households that lacked access to electricity,” she explained.
She also reiterated the company’s appreciation to the Kicukiro District and Masaka Sector leadership for their cooperation from the beginning of the project to its completion.
“We are grateful to Kicukiro District and especially Masaka Sector for standing with us throughout this journey. We trust that the community will continue safeguarding this forest for future generations.”
Local leaders welcomed the initiative, emphasizing its long-term environmental benefits.
Janvière Nyiranziguye, the village leader of Cyeru, an area neighboring the forest, said the project would help address environmental challenges that residents have faced for years.
“This forest will greatly benefit our community. In recent years, this area experienced drought conditions and irregular rainfall. We believe the presence of this forest will contribute positively to the local environment,” she said.
She further noted that the forest would help reduce soil erosion, particularly in lower-lying areas that were previously vulnerable to runoff and flooding.
“Before this project, there was no forest here, and rainwater would flow unchecked, causing erosion. This forest will act as a natural barrier, helping to protect our community from soil degradation and water damage,” she added.
The handover of the forest marks another milestone in Sahara Group’s environmental sustainability efforts in Rwanda and reflects the company’s broader commitment to supporting communities through climate action, environmental restoration, and social development initiatives.
Martha Matunda urged local leaders and residents to continue protecting and preserving the forest
Asharami Energy Rwanda staff and Masaka Sector leaders pose for a commemorative group photo
Martha Matunda officially hands over the forest to Masaka Sector Executive Secretary, Fabien Nkusi
Community members participated in Umuganda activities within the forest before the handover ceremony
Sahara Group, which operates in more than 40 countries, officially donated the forest to Masaka Sector