A fire has broken out on the Rwandan side of Mount Muhabura, a dormant volcano shared by Rwanda and Uganda.
Residents said the fire started at about 6am on Friday in Nyagahinga, Chanika Sector, Burera District in Rwanda’s Northern Province.
According to residents, no firefighting teams had arrived by about 9am, prompting them to climb roughly two kilometres up the mountain to help contain the fire using locally available methods.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
Maurice Mugabowa-gahunde, Governor of Rwanda’s Northern Province, confirmed the incident and said authorities at different levels had deployed teams to coordinate firefighting efforts.
He appealed for calm, saying authorities expected to bring the fire under control without significant damage.
Mount Muhabura is shared by Rwanda and Uganda. On the Ugandan side, the mountain forms part of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Kisoro District, which is home to mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and several bird species.
The incident has raised concerns about the possibility of the fire spreading to the Ugandan side of the mountain.
However, Eunice Akankwasa, the Kisoro District Environment Officer, said she was not yet aware of the fire. She said she would establish what was happening and follow up on the situation.
Mount Muhabura rises to 4,127 metres above sea level and is the second-highest of Rwanda’s five volcanoes.
The mountain was last affected by a major fire on the Rwandan side in 2009.
By Our Reporter
14th Aug 2026
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