 Belgian forces took control of Rwanda and Burundi in 1916, during World War I, beginning a period of more direct colonial rule.Belgium ruled both Rwanda and Burundi as a League of Nations mandate called Ruanda-Urundi.The Belgians also simplified and centralised the power structure, and introduced large-scale projects in education, health, public works, and agricultural supervision, including new crops and improved agricultural techniques to try to reduce the incidence of famine.