The Rwizi originates in the Buhweju highlands and flows eastward through Bushenyi and Mbarara before draining into the Kachera wetland zone.
It spans over 150 kilometres and supplies water to over two million people in southwestern Uganda.
At least 25 minor wetlands feed into the river’s course, acting as sediment and nutrient filters. However, degradation is acute.
As of 2023, NEMA reports recorded phosphate levels exceeding 5 mg/L in the downstream sections near Mbarara. Livestock access, car washing bays, and unregulated sand mining are among the documented threats.
For tourism, the Rwizi has limited formal integration. Still, some cultural sites near Ruti and Biharwe reference the river as a spiritual landmark.
Local NGOs such as the Rwizi Freshwater Initiative occasionally organise conservation walks, which, while informal, may appeal to eco-oriented groups.