Rwanda Allocates Over 4.8 Billion Rwf for Genocide Survivor Housing, Memorial Construction

The Inspirer.

Of the more than 1,522 billion RWF allocated for improving the welfare of citizens in the 2024/2025 budget, over 4.8 billion RWF is earmarked for building homes for vulnerable survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and for constructing or renovating genocide memorials.

Out of the 4.8 billion RWF, over 3.8 billion RWF will be used specifically for the project to build homes for vulnerable survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi. This project will be carried out in various districts, including those in the City of Kigali, Rulindo, Nyamasheke, Rusizi, Nyaruguru, Nyanza, Kamonyi, Muhanga, Gisagara, Nyamagabe, Huye, Rwamagana, and Kirehe.

A report from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) indicates that, in addition to this, the 2024/2025 budget will also fund the renovation of the Gihombo Genocide Memorial in Nyamasheke District, which will cost 300 million RWF.

Moreover, the budget includes the construction of the Bigogwe Genocide Memorial in Rubavu District, estimated to cost 305.4 million RWF, and the construction of the Mutete Genocide Memorial in Gicumbi District, which will cost 362 million RWF.

The urgency of accelerating the construction of homes for vulnerable survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was also recently emphasized by IBUKA, the organization advocating for the rights of genocide survivors. In February 2024, IBUKA called on the relevant authorities to expedite the construction process, as the number of those in need of assistance does not match the current pace of construction.

This was highlighted during IBUKA’s annual General Assembly. At the time, the President of IBUKA, Dr. Philbert Gakwenzire, noted that there are still many vulnerable individuals in need of support, but the current pace of construction is insufficient to meet the demand promptly.

Dr. Gakwenzire warned that without new measures, it could take a long time to address the housing needs of all vulnerable survivors. He stated, “We are aware of the budget used at the district level, where the number of houses built each year is low, and we know that housing and food are among the most basic necessities.”

He called for a new planning strategy to address this issue, as it could take up to 15 years for all those in need to receive the necessary support.

In the 2023/2024 budget, the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE) was allocated 11 billion RWF to assist vulnerable survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi. This allocation was intended to fund the construction of 691 houses and their associated amenities.

In March 2024, MINUBUMWE announced that over the past 30 years, more than 417 billion RWF has been spent on programs to support survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi. These funds have been used across various sectors, with education taking the lead, having spent over 199 billion RWF since the establishment of the Genocide Survivors’ Support and Assistance Fund (FARG) in 1998.

The housing program alone has consumed over 112.9 billion RWF, while the healthcare program has spent more than 46.8 billion RWF, both domestically and abroad. Additionally, 44 billion RWF has been allocated for direct financial assistance, and over 14.6 billion RWF has been spent on income-generating support.

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