Illegal:Demands for compensation expected

Kayonza- 50 families, who bought land from illegal sellers in Mucucu village in Buhabwa sector of Kayonza District, have found themselves landless.Mucucu village is located 150 kilometres from Akagera National Park.Most of the land was sold by people who were given land by the government under the land sharing and distribution policy.The affected families said that they bought land with assurance from the sellers that the deals were done in accordance with the law.Bernard Ndeze, one of the affected, said that they suffered in many ways when they were buying the land."We paid for the land...it is now beyond our understanding that we are going to lose it. We need to be compensated because we already spent a lot on the land. Otherwise, it is very disappointing,” he said.Dorothea Mukandituyimana, caught up in the same circumstances, said that apart from buying the land illegally, some money was also squeezed from them by village leaders to allow them settle in the area.According to Potel Jossam, the District Land officer, buying and selling land that was acquired under the sharing and distribution policy is illegal.He said that ministerial regulations, have it that land sold and bought in such circumstances would see both parties lose."A person who sells such land shall lose it to the government, without notice or compensation. The same thing will apply to the buyer,” he said.Eastern Province Governor, Odette Uwamariya, who visited the area to solve the land issues, said that the buyers would be relocated to another area in 5 months time, and that those who tricked the peasants to buy the land would refund the money."These people are isolated...we need to take them where they can access basic infrastructure. They will be refunded the money they paid...the seller(s) will be tracked down,” she said."Grassroots leaders who squeezed money from peasants will also be brought to book...I have alerted the police”.