In a bold move to address long-standing land issues, the leadership of Kayonza District has launched a four-month campaign in collaboration with the National Land Authority (NLA) and international NGO Landesa to resolve land boundary conflicts and register previously undocumented land plots. This transformative initiative was officially launched in the presence of the District Mayor, the Director General of NLA, representatives from Landesa, local leaders, security organs, and land officers across the district.

The campaign targets over 28,527 hectares of land in Kayonza that either lack formal registration or have unresolved boundary issues. These challenges have often led to disputes, uncertainty in land ownership, and difficulties in accessing essential land services.

“This is a special operation,” said Mayor John Bosco Nyemazi. 

“We have been offering land services, but this initiative is exceptional due to the scale and collaboration involved. Many disputes in Kayonza arise because of unregistered plots or unclear boundaries. Together with Landesa and the NLA, we are committed to resolving these challenges once and for all.”

According to the Mayor, the team will visit every sector of the district during the next four months to identify and address land issues. Beyond registering new plots, the campaign will look into other problems that hinder landowners from securing their rights.

The Director General of the National Land Authority (NLA) Marie Grace Nishimwe emphasized that reforms introduced at the end of 2023 have made land services more accessible to Rwandans:

“Service fees on land transactions such as purchases, gifts, and inheritance have been removed for properties valued under RWF 5 Million. This change is meant to encourage more citizens to formalize land ownership. Many had delayed requesting services due to financial constraints. Those obstacles no longer exist,”She said.

A Global Partner for Local Impact

Representing LANDESA, Ms.Everlyne Nairesiae, the organization’s Africa Regional Director, expressed gratitude for the collaboration and reiterated the organization’s mission to secure land rights for the vulnerable.

“Our main responsibility is to secure tenure rights for the poor, marginalized, women, men, and young people. In Kayonza, we are supporting fast registration and boundary correction. This follows our successful work in Kirehe District and precedes the next phase in Nyagatare,” she said.

LANDESA, a global nonprofit dedicated to land rights, sees this program as part of a broader effort to promote social and economic development through land tenure security.

“We are touching lives. We are going to help communities, especially women and the elderly secure their tenure rights. That’s the foundation for prosperity,” Ms. Nairesiae added.

A Model for the Nation.

This collaborative model combining local leadership, national policy reform, and international expertise provides a framework that could be replicated nationwide.

As Rwanda advances in its efforts toward land reform, initiatives like this one underscore the importance of secure land tenure in ensuring stability, development, and equality.

The campaign will continue through all sectors of Kayonza District until its completion, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that every citizen has clear, secure, and documented ownership of their land.

In a bold move to address long-standing land issues, the leadership of Kayonza District has launched a four-month campaign in collaboration with the National Land Authority (NLA) and international NGO Landesa to resolve land boundary conflicts and register previously undocumented land plots. This transformative initiative was officially launched in the presence of the District Mayor, the Director General of NLA, representatives from Landesa, local leaders, security organs, and land officers across the district.

The campaign targets over 28,527 hectares of land in Kayonza that either lack formal registration or have unresolved boundary issues. These challenges have often led to disputes, uncertainty in land ownership, and difficulties in accessing essential land services.

“This is a special operation,” said Mayor John Bosco Nyemazi. 

“We have been offering land services, but this initiative is exceptional due to the scale and collaboration involved. Many disputes in Kayonza arise because of unregistered plots or unclear boundaries. Together with Landesa and the NLA, we are committed to resolving these challenges once and for all.”

According to the Mayor, the team will visit every sector of the district during the next four months to identify and address land issues. Beyond registering new plots, the campaign will look into other problems that hinder landowners from securing their rights.

The Director General of the National Land Authority (NLA) Marie Grace Nishimwe emphasized that reforms introduced at the end of 2023 have made land services more accessible to Rwandans:

“Service fees on land transactions such as purchases, gifts, and inheritance have been removed for properties valued under RWF 5 Million. This change is meant to encourage more citizens to formalize land ownership. Many had delayed requesting services due to financial constraints. Those obstacles no longer exist,”She said.

A Global Partner for Local Impact

Representing LANDESA, Ms.Everlyne Nairesiae, the organization’s Africa Regional Director, expressed gratitude for the collaboration and reiterated the organization’s mission to secure land rights for the vulnerable.

“Our main responsibility is to secure tenure rights for the poor, marginalized, women, men, and young people. In Kayonza, we are supporting fast registration and boundary correction. This follows our successful work in Kirehe District and precedes the next phase in Nyagatare,” she said.

LANDESA, a global nonprofit dedicated to land rights, sees this program as part of a broader effort to promote social and economic development through land tenure security.

“We are touching lives. We are going to help communities, especially women and the elderly secure their tenure rights. That’s the foundation for prosperity,” Ms. Nairesiae added.

A Model for the Nation.

This collaborative model combining local leadership, national policy reform, and international expertise provides a framework that could be replicated nationwide.

As Rwanda advances in its efforts toward land reform, initiatives like this one underscore the importance of secure land tenure in ensuring stability, development, and equality.

The campaign will continue through all sectors of Kayonza District until its completion, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that every citizen has clear, secure, and documented ownership of their land.