We sought to evaluate the level of community participation in health agencies in the Bukavu urban health district, an alternative approach to assessing primary health care that can be especially useful in combating poverty. Accordingly we conducted a transversal survey of a population including 113 members of 12 functional health committees and the chief of the Bukavu Urban Health District, a physician. Subjects were most often 35 to 65 years of age, male, salaried employees, married, and Roman Catholic, and had not completed secondary school. Means were compared with Anova (analysis of variance). The level of participation by these health committee members is poor (29.0%), and very similar regardless of the health sector: Bagira (26.5%), Ibanda (25.9%), and Kadutu (32.6%). Relevant factors include the weak commitment of district health authorities, the poor participation by committee members in performing their roles, and their low level of motivation to participate. The results showed no significant difference between the three health sectors in the motivating power of roles and attributions. The authors recommend that health district authorities commit themselves to the selection, training and supervision of health committees.