KIGALI - The Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) has called upon Kigali residents and those in other cities across the country to live in apartments instead of bungalows, saying that this would enable government to easily consolidate the available land.

The call was made, yesterday, by Edward Kyazze, the Head of Housing, Urban Planning and Development Division at RHA, during an interview with The New Times.

Kyazze said that currently, the majority of Rwandans, especially those in urban areas, prefer to live in residential houses compared to flats, saying that RHA would in December this year launch sensitisation campaigns around the country to change people’s attitudes.

"RHA’s target is to have at least 90 percent of the Rwandan community in cities staying in apartments because this will enable us to efficiently and effectively utilise the available land,” Kyazze said.

He added that staying in apartments would also facilitate the population to easily access various basic facilities like electricity, water, infrastructure and other public amenities compared to stand-alone residential units.

Kyazze further noted that the program will be rolled out through master plans that entail construction of apartment buildings in several metropolis across the country that are still undeveloped.

"One of the best ways of developing our nation is through constructing vertical buildings other than horizontal ones because this will enable Kigali and other cities to flourish in as far as the housing industry is concerned,” he said.

The official further disclosed that participants at the Second National Urban Forum, which kicks off today, will discuss various issues concerning land consolidation and management in the country.

According to Kyazze, the forum will also discuss issues on affordable housing for low and medium income earners in the country.

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