Travel Guide Muyinga

The town of Muyinga is the capital of a province with special contours, since it encompasses the north-east of the Bugesera near Tanzania (Giteranyi) and becomes to the south to embrace the entire area between Muyange, Gashoho and Ruvubu, i. e. the Bweru.Its position at the crossroads of the northern border corridors (Kirundo/Gasenyi/Rwanda) and east (Kobero/Tanzania) has enabled it to develop for years as an important commercial attraction. Moreover, this region producing food (sorghum, bean, rice) also contains gold deposits, which is worth considerable activity.With approximately 15 000 to 20 000 inhabitants, Muyinga is an urban centre where people therefore live in trade, distribution and transport (cross-border or national), which relate to dry or fresh food, textiles and gold.Already in colonial times, Muyinga was a major exchange centre, where Swahilis and «Asians» were numerous; these days are found in the Swahili district, opposite the cathedral. Opened in 2004, the greater Muyinga market is a must of the visit (banks in the city: Bancobu, BCB, Interbank Burundi). As in all urban centres with a diocese (Catholic and Anglican recently), the cathedral district is also important, with its dependencies.Many refugees and displaced persons settled in Muyinga on return from Tanzania. Religious facilities, including a small seminar, were sheltering with the premises of large international aid agencies and humanitarian ngos. The city has an active provincial city atmosphere despite regional difficulties.