Bujumbura

Bujumbura (French pronunciation: ​[buʒumbuʁa]; Rwanda-Rundi pronunciation: [buʒuᵐbuɾa]), formerly Usumbura, is the economic capital, largest city and main port of Burundi. It ships most of the country's chief export, coffee, as well as cotton and tin ore. Bujumbura was formerly the country's normal capital. In late December 2018, Burundian president Pierre Nkurunziza announced that he would follow through on a 2007 promise to return Gitega its former political capital status, with Bujumbura remaining as economical capital and center of commerce. A vote in the Parliament of Burundi made the change official on 16 January 2019, with all branches of government expected to move to Gitega within three years.[3]

Bujumbura
Bujumbura skyline
Nickname(s): 
/ˌbʊdʒəmˈbʊrə/, /ˌbʊˈdʒʊmbʊrə/
Bujumbura
Coordinates: 3°23′S 29°22′E
Country Burundi
ProvinceBujumbura Mairie Province
Founded1871
Government
 • MayorCP Jimmy Hatungimana
Area
 • Urban
127 km2 (49 sq mi)
Elevation
774 m (2,539 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • City1,000,000
 • Urban
[2]
1,075,000
 • Urban density8,500/km2 (22,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (CAT)
ClimateAw
Websitewww.mairiebujumbura.gov.bi

History

Bujumbura grew from a small village after it became a military post in German East Africa in 1889. After World War I it was made the administrative center of the Belgian League of Nations mandate of Ruanda-Urundi. The name was changed from Usumbura to Bujumbura when Burundi became independent in 1962.[4] Since independence, Bujumbura has been the scene of frequent fighting between the country's two main ethnic groups, with Hutu militias opposing the Tutsi-dominated Burundi army.

Geography
Lake Tanganyika

Bujumbura is on the north-eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, the second deepest lake in the world after Lake Baikal. The city also lies at the mouth of the Ruzizi River and two smaller rivers (Muha and Ntahangwa).

Climate

Bujumbura features a tropical savanna climate (Köppen: Aw)[5] bordering on a hot semi-arid climate (BSh). There are distinct wet and dry seasons. Its wet season is from October to April, while the dry season covers the remaining five months. Despite being located close to the equator, Bujumbura is not as hot as one might expect, due to its altitude. Average temperatures are constant throughout the course of the year with the high temperature at around 29 °C (84 °F) and the low temperature at around 19 °C (66 °F).

Climate data for Bujumbura (1961–1990, extremes 1950–1990)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 34.6
(94.3)		 35.0
(95.0)		 34.0
(93.2)		 35.0
(95.0)		 32.0
(89.6)		 32.0
(89.6)		 33.0
(91.4)		 33.0
(91.4)		 33.8
(92.8)		 34.3
(93.7)		 33.8
(92.8)		 34.8
(94.6)		 35.0
(95.0)
Average high °C (°F) 29.1
(84.4)		 29.7
(85.5)		 29.3
(84.7)		 29.2
(84.6)		 29.9
(85.8)		 29.9
(85.8)		 29.2
(84.6)		 30.0
(86.0)		 30.9
(87.6)		 30.1
(86.2)		 29.1
(84.4)		 28.9
(84.0)		 29.6
(85.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) 23.8
(74.8)		 23.8
(74.8)		 23.7
(74.7)		 23.9
(75.0)		 23.9
(75.0)		 23.3
(73.9)		 22.9
(73.2)		 24.0
(75.2)		 24.7
(76.5)		 24.6
(76.3)		 23.4
(74.1)		 23.6
(74.5)		 23.8
(74.8)
Average low °C (°F) 19.2
(66.6)		 19.3
(66.7)		 19.3
(66.7)		 19.6
(67.3)		 19.1
(66.4)		 17.6
(63.7)		 17.2
(63.0)		 17.4
(63.3)		 18.6
(65.5)		 19.1
(66.4)		 19.1
(66.4)		 19.1
(66.4)		 18.7
(65.7)
Record low °C (°F) 14.0
(57.2)		 15.4
(59.7)		 14.7
(58.5)		 15.1
(59.2)		 16.2
(61.2)		 13.9
(57.0)		 11.8
(53.2)		 13.0
(55.4)		 14.3
(57.7)		 14.0
(57.2)		 15.9
(60.6)		 15.0
(59.0)		 11.8
(53.2)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 100.3
(3.95)		 85.7
(3.37)		 117.5
(4.63)		 111.9
(4.41)		 56.6
(2.23)		 8.9
(0.35)		 2.7
(0.11)		 13.4
(0.53)		 33.0
(1.30)		 59.0
(2.32)		 97.1
(3.82)		 99.6
(3.92)		 785.7
(30.93)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm) 16 19 18 18 10 2 1 2 8 15 19 19 147
Average relative humidity (%) 77 75 78 79 76 67 63 60 62 68 76 77 72
Mean monthly sunshine hours 167.4 158.2 176.7 165.0 210.8 255.0 272.8 251.1 213.0 189.1 150.0 164.3 2,373.4
Mean daily sunshine hours 5.4 5.6 5.7 5.5 6.8 8.5 8.8 8.1 7.1 6.1 5.0 5.3 6.5
Source 1: World Meteorological Organization[6]
Source 2: Deutscher Wetterdienst (mean temperatures 1950–1990, humidity 1953–1990, and sun 1951–1990)[7]
Bujumbura panorama

Administration
Downtown Bujumbura
A beach in Bujumbura on the north side of Lake Tanganyika

Bujumbura is governed by a community council and community administrator. It is further divided into three communes, or neighborhoods, each with its own council and council leader.[8]

Each of the three current communes were created from the 13 former communes (currently sub-communes), due to a 2014 reorganization, which in turn are further sub-divided into villages or zones:[9]

  • Commune of Muha
    • Kanyosha
      • Quarters: Gisyo-Nyabaranda, Gisyo, Musama I, Musama II, Musama III, Musama IV, Musama V, Nyabugete, Kizingwe-Bihara, Nkenga-Busoro, Ruziba, Kajiji
    • Kinindo
      • Quarters: Kibenga, Kinanira I, Kinanira II, Kinanira III, Kinanira IV, Kinindo, Zeimet-OUA
    • Musaga
      • Quarters: Gasekebuye-Gikoto, Gitaramuka, Kamesa, Kinanira I, Kinanira II
  • Commune of Mukaza
    • Buyenzi
      • Quarters: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII
    • Bwiza
      • Quarters: Bwiza I, Bwiza II, Bwiza III, Bwiza IV, Kwijabe I, Kwijabe II, Kwijabe III
    • Nyakabiga
      • Quarters: Kigwati, Nyakabiga I, Nyakabiga II, Nyakabiga III
    • Rohero
      • Quarters: Centre Ville, Rohero I - Gatoke, Kabondo, Mutanga-Sud - Sororezo, Asiatique, I.N.S.S, Rohero II, Kiriri-Vugizo
  • Commune of Ntahangwa
    • Buterere
      • Quarters: Buterere I, Buterere II A, Buterere II B, Kabusa, Kiyange, Maramvya, Mubone, Mugaruro, Kiyange
    • Cibitoke
      • Quarters: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII
    • Gihosha
      • Quarters: Gasenyi, Gihosha, Gikungu, Kigobe, Mutanga-Nord, Muyaga, Nyabagere, Taba, Winterekwa
    • Kamenge
      • Quarters: Gikizi, Gituro, Heha, Kavumu, Mirango I, Mirango II, Songa, Teza, Twinyoni
    • Kigobe
      • Quarters: Kigobe Nord, Kigobe Sud
    • Kinama
      • Quarters: Bubanza, Buhinyuza, Bukirasazi I, Bukirasazi II, Bururi, Carama, Gitega, Kanga, Muramvya, Muyinga, Ngozi, Ruyigi, SOCARTI.
    • Ngagara
      • Quarters: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, Industriel

Economy
View of Bujumbura Market

Bujumbura's central market is in the City Centre, along Rwagasore Avenue. During the Burundian Genocide, citizens had become less likely to travel far from the City Centre, and markets in neighbouring communities lost their business to the central market in Bujumbura. Consequently, vendors moved their business to the central market, many settling outside the market due to lack of space. However, the central market houses the largest variety of merchandise in the city, with stores that sell a wide range of goods.

At dawn of 27 January 2013 a serious fire ravaged Bujumbura's central market.[10] Due to poor emergency response, the fire lasted for hours, resulting in a serious blow to local exchanges. Hundreds of vendors, local and foreign, lost their goods to the fire and the reported looting.[11] While Burundi's emergency services were unable to extinguish the blaze on their own, neighbouring Rwanda sent helicopters to assist in the emergency response.[12]

Politics

List of mayors of Bujumbura

  • Gérard Kibinakanwa, 1962–1967[13]
  • Thérence Ndikumasabo, 1967–1969
  • Pie Kanyoni, 1969–1975 and 1976–1977
  • Charles Kabunyoma, 1976
  • Juvénal Madirisha, 1977–1979
  • Germain Nkwirikiye, 1979–1981
  • Lucien Sakubu, 1981–1987
  • Léonidas Ndoricimpa, 1987–1991
  • Arthémon Mvuyekure, 1991–1992
  • Anatole Kanyenkiko, 1992–1993
  • Léonce Sinzinkayo, 1993–1994
  • Pie Ntiyankundiye, 1994–2002
  • Pontien Niyongabo, 2002–2005
  • Célestin Sebutama, 2005–2007
  • Elias Buregure, 2007
  • Evrard Giswaswa, circa 2008–2012[14]
  • Saidi Juma, circa 2012[15]
  • Freddy Mbonimpa, 2017–2020
  • Jimmy Hatungimana, 2020–
View of Bujumbura

Sports

Bujumbura is the location for the city's multisport Intwari stadium. Mainly used for football games, it is the country's largest stadium with 22,000 seats.

The city is also home to multiple basketball and tennis courts, as well as a multitude of indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

Education
View of the University's buildings in Bujumbura

The University of Burundi is in Bujumbura, as are Hope Africa University and Université du Lac Tanganyika.

International schools:

  • École Belge de Bujumbura (Belgian school)
  • École Française de Bujumbura (French school)
  • King's School (British school)
  • Bujumbura International Montessori School
  • Burundi English School (English Language School)
  • Cubahiro International School

Transport
Bujumbura International Airport

The Bujumbura International Airport is situated on the outskirts of the city.

Public transport in Bujumbura mainly consists of taxis and mini-buses, locally known as the Hiace. Public transport vehicles are generally white and blue.

The Bujumbura bus station

Bujumbura's taxis are abundant all over the city, and are considered the safest form of transportation. There are taxi-motos (motorcycle taxis) and taxis-vélos (bicycle taxis), although they are only available in certain parts of the city.

For long distance travel, locals prefer to take the many Hiace full-size vans, which travel regularly across Burundi. Bujumbura's main bus terminal is located by the Central Market.

Health

Bujumbura is also home to many clinics and the province's main hospitals: the Prince Regent Charles Hospital, the Roi Khaled Hospital, and the Military Hospital.

Places of worship
Regina Mundi Cathedral

Among the places of worship are predominantly Christian churches and temples: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bujumbura (Catholic Church), Province of the Anglican Church of Burundi (Anglican Communion), Union of Baptist Churches in Burundi (Baptist World Alliance), and Assemblies of God.[16] There are also Muslim mosques.

Culture

Bujumbura's main attractions are its many museums, parks and monuments. Museums in the city include the Burundi Museum of Life and the Burundi Geological Museum. Other nearby attractions are the Rusizi National Park, the Livingstone-Stanley Monument at Mugere (where David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley visited 14 days after their first historic meeting at Ujiji in Tanzania), the presidential palace and the source of the southernmost tributary of the Nile, described locally as the source of the Nile.

Bujumbura was also home of the independent weekly radio programme Imagine Burundi, the country's first locally produced English-language programme that focused on stories about life in the region. The show was broadcast from September 2010 to August 2013, and recordings are archived on the show's website at imagineburundi.com.[17]

Demographics

Bujumbura is projected to be the fourth fastest growing African continent city between 2020 and 2025, with a 5.75% growth.[18]

International relations

Bujumbura is twinned with:

  • Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand
  • Corigliano Calabro, Italy

References
  1. Chislennost.com Population of Bujumbura city
  2. PopulationStat Population of Bujumbura, city and urban area
  3. "Burundi to change its capital city". BusinessGhana. 18 January 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  4. Roman Adrian Cybriwsky, Capital Cities around the World: An Encyclopedia of Geography, History, and Culture, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2013, p. 72
  5. "Bujumbura - Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table". Climate-Data.org. Retrieved 2014-07-28.
  6. "World Weather Information Service - Bujumbura". World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  7. "Klimatafel von Bujumbura (Usambara) / Burundi" (PDF). Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  8. L’administration de la Municipalité de Bujumbura, official city website Archived February 6, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  9. https://www.refworld.org/docid/57f792e34.html Refworld | Burundi: List of all the neighbourhoods of Bujumbura, including the ethnicity and socio-economic status of the inhabitants of those neighbourhoods (2014-September 2016)
  10. Burundi: vaste incendie au marché central de Bujumbura Radio France internationale, 27 janvier 2013
  11. Incendie au marché central de Bujumbura: des Sénégalais dans la désolation Agoravox, 25 Février 2013
  12. Rwandan Helicopters Extinguish Fire in Bujumbura Market "IGIHE", 27 janvier, 2013
  13. "Succession à la tête de la Mairie de Bujumbura". Villedebujumbura.org (in French). Mairie de Bujumbura. Archived from the original on 6 February 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  14. "Burundi: le maire de Bujumbura absent à son procès", Rfi.fr (in French), 5 October 2011
  15. "Le sénat approuve 7 gouverneurs", Isanganiro.org (in French), Burundi, 25 October 2012, archived from the original on 1 September 2017, retrieved 1 September 2017
  16. J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, ‘‘Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices’’, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p.456
  17. Imagine Burundi Archived 2017-09-30 at the Wayback Machine "Imagine Burundi", 1 juillet 2012
  18. "Ranked: The World's Fastest Growing Cities". virtual capitalist. 13 August 2021. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-17.

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