EASTERN PROVINCE

The Nyagatare district authorities have threatened to use force in the eviction of about 400 residents from the Nshuri trading centre in the Rwempasha Sector.

Anthelm Rurangwa, the vice Mayor in charge of economic affairs, said early this week that the decision was reached after the residents remained put in their houses even after the deadline given to them expired last month.

"If they don’t want to vacate peacefully I am ready to use bulldozers to evict them,” he threatened at a meeting with residents at Rwempasha trading centre. 

Some of the affected residents have however, protested the eviction, saying it is an "unlawful eviction.”

"We will not leave here even if they try to forcefully evict us,” insisted one of the residents, adding that they are as free as other citizens with land rights. The district administration had secured them alternative land in the Rutare township to build new settlements.

"It is now a competition between our individual rights, and the development interests of the district,” some of the affected residents complained.

The decision to evict the residents was reached two months ago by the province, reportedly to consolidate the land for rice farming scheme.

A resident who gave his name only as Twagira said they are not against development but they want their rights to be considered.

Talking to The New Times, residents said their rights are enshrined in the constitution, and forcefully evicting them from their land would be a violation of that right.

Some residents claimed that some district authorities have personal grudges against them which prompted them to reach the eviction decision. An accusation claim officials refute.

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