More cells to start issuing land titles

Following the completion of the pilot phase of issuing Land titles in Cyeru cell in Musanze District Northern Province, the national land centre has revealed plans of extending the exercise to other cells across the country. This was revealed Thursday by the Acting Director of National Land Centre, Didier Sagashya on phone interview. He said that the process will now continue in Mwogo cell in Kirehe District Eastern province, Bihugu cell in Karongi District Southern province and Kabushinge in Kigali City. Sagashya added that the exercise will be launched countrywide in April this year. He said that once all land owners acquire the titles, disputes among the population regarding land will be put to rest. “It will also facilitate people to acquire loans from bank giving land as security.’ Sagashya added that a new technology of Geographical Information System (GIS) used by the Land Centre will help Rwandans to mark their own land boundaries using aerial photography or satellite images. According to Sagashya, the land titles will be beneficial not only to citizens but also for the Rwandan economy. Quizzed on the challenges they face during the process, Sagashya said that some land owners might not be identified as one piece of land may belong to many people because there had never been a policy before. He also pointed out that they also lack funds for training experts in Aerial Photographs or Satellites Images. The National Land centre is sponsored by the government of Rwanda with the help of DIFD (Department for International Development). Ends