The diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates of Tshula River in Bukavu basin of Lake Kivu and physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters influencing their populations were studied during 8 monthsat four sampling stations. Two phyla were identified: Arthropods dominated (88.5%,23 taxa out of 26) and Annelids (11.5%, 3 taxa). According to the number of individuals per species, Chironomustentans dominates (52.7% of the total), followed by Simulium venustum (24.1%) and Baetis sp (11.9%).
The Shannon diversity indices seasonally averaged H'=1,174 for the rainy season and H'= 0.64 for the dry season. The abundance of the pollution sensitive Chironomids confirmed the high pollution levels of this river alike previous studies. Physico-chemical parameters vary between the sites and influence 78% the variation of benthic macroinvertebrates numbers. Conductivity, dissolved oxygen, total phosphorus and suspended matters influence most significantly the diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates.