This study aims to analyze the diatoms of the Muha River by establishing a relationship with the heterogeneity of the habitats and the physicochemical parameters of the waters. From a physicochemical point of view, the pH, the temperature and the electrical conductivity of the waters of the Muha River were analyzed on 5 stations from the level of the Institute of Applied Pedagogy to the mouth of Lake Tanganyika. The study of diatomic flora was carried out on the basis of 30 samples of algae finally classified according to the different families. The semi-quantitative analysis carried out on 16 microscopic slides that can each contain 100 frustules made it possible to show the presence of species with representative populations.

The species counted were classified into constants, incidental, and accidental. Successions of diatoms have been identified. Three ecological groups were identified based on the ordination and classification of the transformed count data according to the Descy scale. The dominant species in Muha have also been reported mainly in the low-mineralized waters of the Rusizi plain. Finally, a relationship between the physicochemical conditions of the waters and the species identified was established. Some diatoms from the Muha River have been found in polluted rivers in Kenya, Europe, and Asia.