# Kagera River > river in Rwanda **Wikidata**: [Q2750140](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2750140) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kagera_River) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kagera-river ## Summary The Kagera River (also known as Akagera River or Alexandra Nile) is a major river located in Rwanda, flowing along the country's border with Tanzania. It is one of the most significant waterways in the Great Lakes region of East Africa, originating in Rwanda and ultimately contributing to Lake Victoria, making it part of the Nile River system. The river is notable for its role in regional geography, its connection to Rusumo Falls, and its passage through the Kagera Region of Tanzania. ## Key Facts - **Official Names**: Kagera River, Akagera River, Alexandra Nile - **Location**: Rwanda (primary), with portions along the border with Tanzania - **Coordinates**: Multiple reference points including latitude -0.94472222222222, longitude 31.7767; latitude -2.39, longitude 30.780555555556 - **Wikipedia Title**: Kagera River - **Wikidata Description**: river in Rwanda - **Sitelink Count**: 60 - **Related Countries**: Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda (all in the Great Lakes region) - **Connected Administrative Region**: Kagera Region (Tanzania) - **Notable Waterfall**: Rusumo Falls (located on the Kagera River) - **Related Entity Types**: river (broader classification), Ribbon bar of the Kagera River Medal (Ugandan Order) - **Inception Dates of Surrounding Countries**: Burundi (1962-07-01), Rwanda (1962), Tanzania (1964-04-26), Uganda (1962) ## FAQs **What countries does the Kagera River flow through?** The Kagera River is primarily located in Rwanda and flows along the border with Tanzania. It is situated in the Great Lakes region of East Africa, which also includes Burundi, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. **What is the Kagera River also known as?** The Kagera River is also known as the Akagera River and the Alexandra Nile. These alternative names reflect its historical naming and its geographical relationship to the Nile River system. **What notable features are associated with the Kagera River?** The Kagera River is associated with Rusumo Falls, a waterfall located on the river. Additionally, the river gives its name to the Kagera Region in Tanzania and is commemorated through the Ribbon bar of the Kagera River Medal, which is a Ugandan Order. **What is the Kagera Region?** The Kagera Region is an administrative region of Tanzania that is named after the Kagera River. This region is part of the broader geographical area covered by the river's watershed. **How is the Kagera River connected to the Nile River system?** The Kagera River flows into Lake Victoria, which is the primary source of the White Nile. This makes the Kagera River part of the larger Nile River system, one of the longest river systems in the world. ## Why It Matters The Kagera River holds significant geographical and hydrological importance in East Africa. As one of the major tributaries feeding into Lake Victoria, it plays a crucial role in the Nile River system, which spans multiple countries and supports millions of people throughout northeastern Africa. The river's location in the Great Lakes region places it at the crossroads of several East African nations—Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, and Uganda—making it a shared resource with regional significance. The river's path through Rwanda and along the Tanzanian border has historical and economic implications for both countries. Rusumo Falls, located on the Kagera River, represents an important geographical landmark that has potential for hydroelectric power generation and tourism development in the region. The Kagera Region of Tanzania, named after the river, encompasses territories that benefit from the river's water resources for agriculture, fishing, and domestic use. Furthermore, the Kagera River's inclusion in the Ugandan honors system (through the Ribbon bar of the Kagera River Medal) demonstrates its cultural and commemorative significance beyond its purely geographical value. This recognition suggests the river's role in regional history, possibly related to military campaigns or significant events involving Uganda and neighboring countries. From an ecological perspective, the Kagera River supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and provides habitat for various species of fish and other wildlife. The river's watershed contributes to the broader ecological health of the Great Lakes region, which is renowned for its biodiversity. ## Notable For - **Part of the Nile River System**: The Kagera River is a major tributary feeding into Lake Victoria, the source of the White Nile - **International Border**: The river forms part of the natural border between Rwanda and Tanzania - **Rusumo Falls**: Features this notable waterfall, which has significance for both tourism and potential hydroelectric development - **Regional Naming**: Gives its name to the Kagera Region in Tanzania, demonstrating its geographical importance - **Military Recognition**: Commemorated through the Ribbon bar of the Kagera River Medal, a Ugandan Order indicating historical significance - **Great Lakes Region Location**: Situated in one of Africa's most geographically significant regions, surrounded by four countries (Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda) ## Body ### Geography and Course The Kagera River is situated in the Great Lakes region of East Africa, primarily within Rwanda but extending along the border with Tanzania. The river's coordinates have been recorded at multiple points: latitude -0.94472222222222, longitude 31.7767; latitude -2.39, longitude 30.780555555556; and latitude -0.94472222222222, longitude 31.776666666667. These coordinates place the river in the northeastern part of Rwanda, flowing generally northward toward Lake Victoria. The river's course takes it through varied terrain in Rwanda before forming part of the border with Tanzania. This positioning makes the Kagera River a significant geographical feature that both divides and connects two East African nations. The river ultimately contributes to the waters of Lake Victoria, which is the largest lake in Africa and the primary source of the White Nile. ### Regional Context The Kagera River exists within a complex regional framework involving four East African nations: Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, and Uganda. Each of these countries gained independence during the early 1960s—Burundi and Rwanda in 1962, Tanzania in 1964, and Uganda in 1962—creating the modern political boundaries that the river traverses today. Rwanda, the primary country through which the Kagera River flows, is a landlocked nation known as "The Land of a Thousand Hills" with a population of approximately 14.5 million people as of 2025. Tanzania, which shares the border with Rwanda along the river's lower course, is a much larger country covering approximately 947,303 square kilometers and having a population of over 61 million people as of 2022. The river thus connects two very different scales of national development and population. Burundi, though not directly traversed by the Kagera River, is part of the same Great Lakes region and shares cultural and geographical similarities with Rwanda. Uganda, further to the north, is also part of the Nile River system and maintains regional connections through organizations such as the East African Community. ### Rusumo Falls One of the most notable geographical features along the Kagera River is Rusumo Falls. This waterfall is located on the river and represents a significant natural landmark in the region. Rusumo Falls has been identified as having potential for hydroelectric power development, which could contribute to the energy needs of both Rwanda and Tanzania. The falls also serve as a tourist attraction, drawing visitors to witness the natural beauty of the cascading waters. The falls are situated in an area that has historical significance, as the border region between Rwanda and Tanzania has experienced movement of people and goods over generations. Rusumo Falls thus represents both a natural wonder and a point of regional interaction. ### Kagera Region The Kagera River lends its name to the Kagera Region of Tanzania, one of the country's administrative divisions. This region is located in the northwestern part of Tanzania and encompasses territories that benefit from the river's water resources. The region's economy is largely agricultural, with farming and fishing serving as primary occupations for local populations. The Kagera Region is part of Tanzania's broader administrative structure, which includes numerous other regions such as Mwanza, Shinyanga, Dar es Salaam, and others. The region's naming after the river demonstrates the waterway's importance to local identity and regional geography. ### Historical and Cultural Significance The Kagera River has achieved recognition beyond its geographical importance through its inclusion in the Ugandan honors system. The Ribbon bar of the Kagera River Medal is a Ugandan Order that commemorates events or service related to the river or the region surrounding it. This suggests that the Kagera River has played a role in Ugandan history, possibly related to military operations, border conflicts, or other significant events involving Uganda's western border regions. The river's alternative name, Alexandra Nile, reflects its historical naming during the colonial period when various European explorers and administrators assigned names to geographical features. The connection to the Nile River system links the Kagera to one of the world's most historically significant rivers, which has supported civilizations and inspired exploration for millennia. ### Hydrological Importance As a tributary feeding into Lake Victoria, the Kagera River contributes to one of the largest lake-river systems in the world. Lake Victoria, with a surface area of approximately 68,800 square kilometers, is shared by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. The lake's outflow at Jinja, Uganda, marks the beginning of the White Nile, which flows northward through Uganda and Sudan before joining the Blue Nile in Khartoum, Sudan. The Kagera River's contribution to Lake Victoria's water budget is significant, particularly during rainy seasons when water flow increases. This hydrological connection means that the Kagera River is part of a transboundary water system that supports millions of people throughout East and North Africa. ### Ecological Significance The Kagera River and its surrounding watershed support diverse ecological communities. The river provides habitat for various species of fish, including species that are important for local fisheries and food security. The riparian zones along the river support vegetation that provides habitat for birds and other wildlife. The broader Great Lakes region is renowned for its biodiversity, with numerous endemic species found in the lakes and rivers. The Kagera River contributes to this biodiversity and supports the ecological connectivity between Lake Victoria and the interior of Rwanda and Tanzania. ### Economic Importance The Kagera River supports local economies through several pathways. Fishing in the river and in Lake Victoria provides protein and income for communities along the river's course. Agriculture in the Kagera Region of Tanzania benefits from irrigation opportunities provided by the river's waters. Additionally, the potential for hydroelectric development at Rusumo Falls could contribute to regional energy supplies. The river also facilitates trade and transportation in regions where road infrastructure may be limited. Historical trade routes followed river systems in East Africa, and the Kagera River continues to serve as a geographical reference point for regional commerce. ### Administrative and Political Context The Kagera River flows through or along the borders of countries with complex administrative structures. Rwanda is divided into provinces and districts, while Tanzania's Kagera Region represents one of its administrative divisions. The river's path along the Rwanda-Tanzania border places it in a region where cross-border cooperation is necessary for management of water resources, wildlife conservation, and economic development. The countries of the Great Lakes region participate in various regional organizations, including the East African Community, which promotes economic integration and cooperation among member states. The Kagera River represents one of the natural features that connect these nations and provide opportunities for collaborative resource management. ### Classification and Related Entities The Kagera River is classified as a river, defined as a larger natural watercourse. This classification places it within a category of geographical features that are essential for human settlement, agriculture, and ecosystem function. The river is related to other entities in the knowledge graph, including the Ribbon bar of the Kagera River Medal (an honorific recognition), the Kagera Region (an administrative division), and Rusumo Falls (a specific geographical feature on the river). The river's sitelink count of 60 indicates moderate coverage in online encyclopedic sources, with the Wikipedia article titled "Kagera River" serving as a primary source of information. The Wikidata description identifies it simply as "river in Rwanda," though its geographical extent extends beyond Rwanda's borders to include the border with Tanzania. ## References 1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 2. GeoNames