She made the disclosure on June 17, 2025, during a meeting with members of the Senate’s Committee on Social Affairs and Human Rights, which followed a report detailing a visit to several of Rwanda’s islands.

Muganza emphasized that research, conducted in collaboration with various stakeholders, has highlighted the islands’ unique biodiversity.

This makes them ideal candidates for development into a National Island Park. She noted, "It is evident that the islands, which host unique ecosystems, could be consolidated into a significant area, or a National Island Park, in the near future, potentially by 2028."

However, Kangeli also pointed out several challenges to developing the islands in a way that benefits both local communities and the country. These challenges include insufficient infrastructure, issues with land registration on some islands, and underdeveloped transport systems.

Senator Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu expressed his belief that the islands should be developed as tourism destinations, which could contribute significantly to Rwanda’s revenue.

"I think these islands should be developed as special tourism sites. Some islands have historical significance for Rwanda. We should focus on creating high-quality tourism across all islands, except for Nkombo, which should remain mostly residential," he said.

He also suggested that the islands could serve as hubs for research into medicinal plants, as well as opportunities for beekeeping and cattle farming. "I believe there is tremendous potential for these islands to contribute significantly to the economy, even more so than the gorillas, as I have personally seen," he added.

Rwanda currently boasts several national parks, including Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, and Nyungwe National Park, all of which attract a steady stream of tourists.

Tourism is a crucial sector for Rwanda, and the country is positioning itself as a leading eco-tourism and cultural destination in Africa.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Umuhire Adrie, emphasized the need to prepare the islands properly while ensuring that local communities benefit from the development.

Senator Niyomugabo Cyprien further noted that if the islands are developed appropriately, they could generate significant revenue for the country. He also called for the promotion of cultural tourism in the region.

In 2024, Rwanda’s tourism sector generated $647 million (approximately Frw 932 billion), marking a 4.3% increase from the previous year. This growth was largely driven by a 27% increase in gorilla-related tourism and an 11% rise in air travel.

Rwanda mulls establishing National Island Park by 2028.