The Impact of Urbanisation on Land use and Land Cover Change in Rwanda: A case of Muyumbu sector, Rwamagana District (2002-2024)

Urbanisation in Rwanda, particularly in satellite cities such as Rwamagana District and especially in sectors bordering Kigali city like Muyumbu sector, has experienced rapid and uncontrolled growth, leading to significant changes in habitat and negatively impacting land use and land cover. Remote sensing data were used to thoroughly assess the impact of urbanisation on land use and land cover changes in the Muyumbu sector, Rwamagana District, from 2002 to 2024. Landsat images were obtained, pre-processed, and their accuracy verified before being used to analyse LCLU trends. The results for the first objective showed that Muyumbu has experienced significant urban growth between 2002 and 2024, with an annual growth rate of 5.07% due to population growth and population shift from rural areas to urban areas. The findings for the second objective revealed that the availability of land for development in Muyumbu surged, heightened demand for housing and services, and accelerated urbanisation in the study area. The results for the third and fourth objectives illustrated that from 2002 to 2024, urban areas grew from 32.85 Ha in 2002 to 646.40 Ha in 2024, reflecting a 12.18% overall increase. In contrast, agricultural land saw a sharp decline of 19.27%, primarily due to the significant expansion of urban areas. Forested areas (natural vegetation) experienced an approximate reduction of 9.15%, mainly driven by population growth. This population increase, combined with the migration of people from Kigali city to Muyumbu sector, was the primary factor contributing to urban growth. The findings also highlighted a clear link between urbanisation and changes in land use and land cover in the Muyumbu sector. Based on the findings of this study, there is a strong need for increased government support for the introduction and development of inspection technology like the use of drones and satellites, to prevent illegal construction activities and unauthorised deforestation, and enforce laws and related sanctions to whoever doing contrary to the zoning regulations. Relocate people from agricultural land to public apartments. To stop shifting people from so-called high-risk zones and start design and implement climate-resilient buildings. Adaptation of a robust monitoring system that tracks land use changes, deforestation rates to preserve green spaces. Additionally, the study suggests the need for supplementary policy measures to promote environmentally responsible development.