GICUMBI – Residents of Byumba town have appealed to the district, to preserve King Mutara Rudahigwa 111 transit lounge building, located at Iyange Primary School, as a symbol of cultural heritage.

The residents made the appeal following the ongoing urbanisation policy where old buildings are being demolished in a bid to give the town a facelift.

Dr. Michael Bugingo, 76, says the old buildings constructed by the former Belgian colonialists in 1948, also bear historical significance.

"I was a 15 year old by then and participated in assisting construction workers who put up King Rudahigwa’s transit lounge which reminds me of my youth,” said Bugingo.

"Our children need to know the structures left behind by former Kings and colonialists, which is why such buildings should be preserved and spared for historical reference,” said another Kageyo Sector resident, Mathias Rucamukibatsi. 

However, the district official in-charge of urban planning, Adeline Kanyamugenge maintains that the Urban Plan for the new buildings is ready and should be respected by all landlords.

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