The Liberal Party (PL) has pledged to continue advocating for affordable housing for low-income earners in the City of Kigali, citing a rehousing model in Gitega that should be replicated to address unplanned settlements.

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The advocacy for affordable housing is part of PL’s five-year manifesto unveiled by Donatille Mukabalisa, President of the Liberal Party (PL), during the launch of parliamentary election campaign at Kigali Pelé Stadium.

The party has endorsed incumbent President Kagame of RPF-Inkotanyi in the presidential race.

"Kagame played a big role in rebuilding the country after 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi. He restored unity among Rwandans.That is why we endorsed him in the presidential race,” she said.

Kigali City has banked on ‘rehousing model’ to reduce unplanned settlements.

There is a need for different housing models and schemes to have over 61 percent of Kigali’s residents in planned settlements.

This rehousing scheme involves owners and tenants in the upgrading process, including their expectations and addressing their needs in the design of the housing units and the entire neighbourhood.

The City of Kigali needs to build 18,000 affordable houses per year in order to meet accommodation demand from its residents.

"Our advocacy has to ensure more infrastructure is established. These include roads, electricity and others. We have to push for good models on eradicating unplanned settlements. We also have to ensure the environment is protected. Household waste must be collected and recycled,” she said.

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Mukabalisa also emphasized the need for increased efforts in job creation, particularly by encouraging more youth to embrace Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes.

"We have to continue striving for good governance. Our manifesto is looking at satisfying Rwandans’ needs,” she said.

The party has pledged to advocate for boosting private sector, SMEs and women development.

"We want to see more jobs created for youth and women. There is a need for setting up SMEs and helping them grow up,” she said.

She said ICT is needed in all sectors to boost Rwanda’s economic development.

Balinda Rutebuka, a member of Liberal Party (PL), said that the efforts are needed to widen the tax base to mobilise domestic revenue and reduce dependence on foreign aid to fund.

"We have to establish laws that ensure that taxpayers increase so that domestic revenue makes up a big part of the country,” he said.

He added that as infrastructure is established, appropriate expropriation has to be enforced.

"Agro-inputs delivery should be improved,” he added.

David Nshimiyimina, a resident of Kigali city, said that there is a need for developing sectors that employ a large number of youth.

"Construction, agriculture and ICT sectors should be focused on. The cost of living should also be addressed,” he said.