Rwandans have been urged to embrace a culture of registering their land in a bid to reduce land disputes, support proper environment management, among other benefits.

Dr Vincent Biruta, the Minister for Natural Resources, made the call during the launch of the Land Week, 2016 at the Independent University of Kigali, yesterday.

It was launched under the theme: "Effective use of my registered land, my source of security and wealth.”

Biruta said ease in land acquisition often results in many people ignoring to register their land. He reminded the public that one owns land after it is registered in their names.

"Most people acquire land as inheritance and ignore to register it. Land belongs to neither the parent nor the offspring. So people should learn to always register any land transactions,” he said.

He urged the public to look for land services without waiting for the land week.

"There are always transactions of land transfer, for instance lands purchase or selling or when parents give land to their children. But many people turn up during this week. That land doesn’t belong to you unless it is registered in your names. When you have land, register it. Don’t ignore its size.

The Land Week activities, including awareness campaign for increased land registration as well as land services offered through mobile offices have been taking place, reaching 115 sectors across the country, according to Grace Nishimwe, the head of lands and mapping department at Rwanda Natural Resources Authority.

During the campaign, information about land registration and, land services will be provided and land titles will be issued.

According to Nishimwe, the drive will see 8,000 people receive land titles and other services. 

Apart from reducing land disputes, land registration help owners to use their land as collateral to get loans.

The public is urged to use the internet based platforms, such as Irembo portal, to look for information about what the land they want to acquire was designated for.

This was stressed because of the fact that some people intentionally or unknowingly misuse, land especially in Kigali city, violating the master plan.

The campaign comes at a time when more than 50 per cent of public complaints registered during the community outreach in Kigali city are land related, according to Parfait Busabizwa, vice mayor in charge of economic development and finance in the City of Kigali. 

Samuel Harerimana, a resident of Kicukiro District, hailed the programme after acquiring his land title. "I have been looking forward to this for quite a long time.’’

He, however, requested that land services should be offered at the sector level.

To address the issue, Minister Biruta said, "We are working with the Ministry of Local Government to have a land officer at the sector level to enhance land services delivery. A lot has been done but we have a lot to do to improve these services.” 

The annual Land week was launched in 2014.

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