Nyamasheke: 160 families demand justice after investor takes over their land

By The Inspirer

Residents of Kanjongo and Cyato sectors in Nyamasheke District are demanding justice after an investor behind Cyato Tea Factory allegedly took ownership of their land without consent.

Nearly a decade after the disputed land transaction, affected families continue to face hardships, including loss of property rights, limited access to financial services, and exclusion from government agricultural subsidies.

The dispute began when Cyato Tea Factory purchased land from local residents. However, during the registration process, additional land that was not part of the transaction was also registered under the factory’s name. The factory attributes this to residents presenting land titles shared among multiple owners.

Hardships and Unfulfilled Promises

Residents say the wrongful land registration has left them unable to use their land as collateral for bank loans, access electricity, or benefit from subsidized agricultural programs.

Ndagijimana Phillippe, one of the affected residents, described how some landowners sold only a portion of their land, but the investor took possession of their entire title.

“The investor bought part of the land but took the entire title, promising to process the transfer later. They used GPS to create a new land document, and when we checked, our original titles had been nullified,” he said.

As a result, landowners attempting to sell their property find that their land is no longer registered under their names, making legal transactions impossible.

Authorities Acknowledge the Issue, but Residents Still Waiting

In June 2024, residents raised the issue with Rwanda’s Ombudsman, prompting a response from Cyato Tea Factory’s representative, Ingabire Assoumpta, who promised a resolution within a week. However, eight months later, residents say nothing has changed.

Ingabire admitted that some land was mistakenly registered under the factory’s name but suggested it was due to miscommunication between residents and the factory’s land acquisition officer.

Nyamasheke District Mayor, Mupenzi Narcisse, has assured residents that the issue will be resolved within a month.

“A task force comprising district land surveyors, the National Land Center, and the provincial land registrar is handling the case. We expect a resolution within a month,” he said.

The disputed land, registered under Cyato Tea Factory since 2015, spans 38.8 hectares and includes over 180 residential and commercial properties.

With families still awaiting justice, the case raises concerns about land governance, corporate accountability, and the protection of vulnerable communities in Rwanda.