Bahoneza – Kinyarwanda, Rwanda Welfare, Social Welfare, Rwanda People, Nutrition and Diet, Rwanda Habitat, Living in Kigali

Families that had been settled in Mucucu village in Kayonza district will be shifted in June, Claude Murekezi; executive secretary of Murundi sector has revealed.

Mucucu village is partly a forest that share boundaries with Akagera Park. Residents in this place live in 10 kilometers away from others and a school and a hospital are 15 kilometers away.

According to the authorities, the plan to shift residents to Ryamanyoni cell in Murundi sector, was decided on in February 2012 but it was delayed by the residents who refused the place they were about to be taken to.

“Ryamanyoni is on the rock; we can’t cultivate or dig latrines there. How were we supposed to live in that place,” Mucucu residents narrated to Eastern province governor Odette Uwamariya.

However, Claude Murekezi asserts that residents have been given lands in Buhabwa cell which they like, and its planned that shifting will be done before the end of June.

Out of 60 families that live in Mucucu village, only 18 families were settled there officially. Other 42 homes came by themselves without the permission from the concerned authorities, explains Murekezi.

Murundi sector administration confirms that families that have been in Mucucu on permission are the only ones to be shifted to a better place. The rest will go back to where they came from.

Residents from Cyamburara cell, Murundi sector in Kayonza district complain to have no toilets due to water from underground that fills their houses and toilets causing destruction.

Kalisa, Cyamburara resident revealed to us: “When you want to visit the toilet, you sit near the toilet and after use a stick to push them into the water.”

Kalisa explains that doing their business near the toilet is due to the fear that it might collapse and claim the life of the one using it. However, some residents dig shallow holes to use as toilets and cover them after.

They have been given water purifier Sur’Eau, and are asked to use it and clean water so as to prevent poor hygiene diseases.

Although residents confirm that they use water from the dams for home use and drinking, it is worrying is that; underground water which fills toilets and houses flow to the dams which they say is very dangerous to their health.

Residents request the local leadership to try and shift them to a safe place and leave the Cyamburara for agricultural activities.

Claude Murekezi, executive secretary for Murundi sector, says that advocacy was made but the final decision is waited upon from the higher authorities.