Some residents of Huye District say access roads constructed through their land have left them landless without compensation.
The affected residents live in Tumba Sector, specifically in Cyimana and Cyarwa cells. They claim they have spent nearly two years seeking answers without success.
The roads were built as part of urban planning projects aimed at developing residential sites. However, residents say the projects have caused serious losses.
Land reduced and no longer usable
Gaspal Bizimana, 32, a resident of Cyimana Cell, says part of his land was taken to make way for a road.
“I had a plot where I planned to build a house,” he said. “After the road passed through it, the remaining portion is too small to build on.”
Youth say development pushed them backwards
Eric Niyonsenga, a young resident of Cyarwa Cell, says the situation has deeply affected young people.
“Young people are encouraged to become self-reliant,” he said. “But when our land is taken without compensation, we fall into extreme poverty.”
Families lose their main source of income
Beata Mukamana, a mother of three, says the land was the backbone of her household economy.
“We used to farm and earn food and income,” she explained. “Now the land is smaller, and we were not compensated, yet we struggled for years to acquire it.”
Call for clear and fair compensation laws
Another resident, Jean de Dieu Habimana, urges government institutions to find a lasting solution.
“Even though land belongs to the state, people buy it with plans,” he said. “When public projects take that land without compensation, our economic stability collapses.”
District authorities respond
The Mayor of Huye District, Ange Sebutege, says the access roads were intended to increase land value.
“The roads in Cyimana and Cyarwa were part of residential site development,” he said. “They aim to increase land value and benefit residents in the long term. These projects were discussed with the community.”
Ongoing concerns among residents
Despite assurances from authorities, residents insist that clear and enforceable compensation laws are needed.
They argue that unresolved compensation disputes continue to cause conflict and distress in different parts of the country.
