EASTERN PROVINCE

NGOMA — Days after the district announced plans to raze down kiosks and other frail houses, in Ngoma town, one of the victims has appealed to the district to get him an alternative place.

Richard Kwibuka says he has been operating a small business, in a roadside kiosk for the past two years, to get school fees and other needs.

He’s the third born in the family of six but his parents can’t meet all the children’s school fees. His love for education urged him to look for a way to enroll him in school. The small business he started was the alternative.

However, his dream looked a myth recently after Ngoma district earmarked close to 20 houses and all kiosks for demolition.

The move is reportedly intended to give the town a new face lift. Under the new policy, all demolished houses are supposed to be replaced with three or more storeyed houses. 

Other close to 15 houses were lined up to be refurbished or razed if their owners had not renovated them.

Ever since the announcement was made, Kwibuka’s kiosk has been closed and he now sits the whole day pondering the next move with his little money. 

"Some times we think that we will achieve what we aim at but things turn the other way,” Kwibuka says.

"I thought my small business would help me for the mean time to achieve something big in the future. I don’t know if they had first thought of people like us before planning to show us exit from the town.

I wish I could afford renting a big house but I can not,” He adds. 

"My little money can not start any other business apart from this I have been dealing in,” he says.

"I don’t object the district’s move to make a good and clean town but at least they should have plan for people like us,” he adds.

A 17-year old Kwibuka says his business did not benefit him alone but also his brothers who would come looking for scholastic materials like books and pens.

"My parents are poor and I cherish the little they give to us and that’s why I help them sometimes but I think to this time no more help.” Kwibuka says.

Kwibuka’s wooden kiosk that stocked commodities like cigarettes, sweets, soap, power foam and batteries could be moved to and from home every evening as he returns from school.

Sometimes his young brothers could help him attend to it whenever he came late from school. Kwibuka is in senior one at Kibungo Secondary School.

"As of now, am confused of what to do next. But the district should think about us otherwise we have nothing to do. I love school and that’s why I had started this business.

"Otherwise I will have to abandon school if no one comes to my rescue.”

Ends