BY GODFREY NTAGUNGIRA EASTERN PROVINCE Nyagatare — Over 200 families settled illegally in Mirama village are to face eviction following directives from the Rwanda demobilization and re-integration commission. “Anyone who settled in Mirama demobilized-reserved land has to move because the government gave us this land for all soldiers who were crippled during the struggle and even those who will be retired in the future,” Brig. gen. John Bagabo said. “The army has a vision for this area and its likened to the national Vision 2020 so for that matter anyone who settled in this area illegally not a demobilize soldier should depart from the area.” Bagabo also said that demobilized soldiers didn’t hold any grudge with non demobilised soldiers, but claim the area was separated and dedicated to cater for the “crippled” demobilized soldiers who were gathered in one place so that the government can easily help them. A part of the land reserved for the demobilized soldiers was given to Umutara Polytechnic University and Mayhill girls’ modern school, which is soon to be constructed in Nyagatare sector by Maryhill –Mbarara old girls. David Munyurangabo, Eastern Province commissioner, the fate of residents to be evicted and the land which was given to Umatara Polytechnic and Maryhill. ‘The land was purely given to the commission to cater for the demobilized soldiers for many years to come. For a case of residents they have to move and studies are under way to get the systematic way to deal with their fate but as far as the demobilized soldiers are concerned the land given to the university will be given back by all means the commission will re-gain its taken land after negotiations with government.” Munyurangabo added. He noted that the commission is not forcing them to go but it will be done systematically to see that people’s property rights are not trampled on. Executive Secretary Geoffrey Mushaija told the commission that the number of non-demobilized soldiers living in Mirama village surpasses that of demobilized soldiers and added that the majority of them were illegal immigrants. “I constructed a house after buying the land from one of the demolished soldier and unfortunately the local authorities are telling us to move, our destiny is in shambles, can you imagine I sold off my land in my home district Ruhengeri after finding that the land is not fertile and again their telling us to move. We even don’t know whether they will compensate us,” Fidel Hakizimana, one affected resident said. Ends
