Tanzania evictees hope for better future

Some of the people evicted from Tanzania – where they had lived in for decades – and were resettled in Musanze District, say they are happy to have a place to call home after they were evicted in the country. 14,253 people returned to Rwanda following their controversial deportation in August last year. On arrival in Musanze Thursday night, they were received by officials before being dispatched to various sectors of the district where they will stay in houses hired for them for three months while local leaders work with residents to build them permanent homes. Claver Muhozi, 69, left Rwanda in 1976 and settled in Tanzania. He said he was happy to be back in his home country and was optimistic his life and that of his family will change. “I have lived in Tanzania for years and unfortunately I was evicted, I left all my property and some children there. Since I returned to Rwanda, I have been well received and now I have been given where to live. I hope my life will change so long as I am given a house and land to farm. I am still strong enough to work and develop myself,” said Muhozi who returned with a wife and two children. Another new resident in Musanze, Daniel Ntawuvuma said despite his sickness and his malnourished children, he was optimistic he will live a better life. “It was unfortunate that I and my family have HIV/AIDS, but it means a lot that I am in the country where treatment is easy for all,” he said Besides, I appeal for support for my children’s who are malnourished. I hope local leaders will help me before I get ways to work for myself. Memories Almost six months back, Rwandans evicted from Tanzania still remember the sad times in Tanzania, a place they had considered home and people they considered as relatives. Jacqueline Mukankusi, 30 remembers how she was forced to leave at night and security officials pushed her out of the houses naked. “We were sleeping and we heard people shouting outside the house. The door was broken and people entered ordering everyone to get out, we had no ways to take clothes. I separated with my husband but later learnt he was alive,” she said “I was born in Tanzania and lived there, I considered myself as a Tanzanian because I have never known Rwanda, it took me more time to accept the situation, now I feel at home as I was well received and I am getting where to live and hope my future is brighter,” she added Gaspard Murekezi, the refugee Project Manager in Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and Refugee Affairs (Midmar), said by mid next week they will have finished reintegrating the evictees. He said they were currently transporting people to Rulindo, Nyamagabe, Gatsibo and Nyabihu districts. At least 5,830 evictees are expected to be reintegrated in the community by district authorities while 8,361 have already reunited with their families in various parts of the country.