The new land law published on June, 10 is expected to curb the number of court cases related to land issues among other many other advantages, according to Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Ugirashebuja made an observation on September 28, during his meeting with legal advisors from different public institutions in the country which had been called to discuss the new law on land use. During the event, Ugirashebuja pointed out that the new legislation is more progressive in nature, in that some land disputes don’t have to go to court and can be resolved using available alternative justice mechanisms. In addition, he said that the country has a bad history and some land issues are linked to that history, but with the new law, they will be addressed. “That’s why certain portion of lands such as forests, swamps, and wetlands should be protected not only in our own interest because we have interest in leaving in a healthy and clean environment but for the interest of future generations,” he added Commenting on the role of legal advisors in the implementation of the law, he said that they will be involved in resolving some disputes and also will play a big role in interpreting the law. Francine Uwase the Land Mitigation Specialist and state attorney in Rwanda Land Management and Use Authority pointed out that among other issues tackled in the new law include arguments related to land boundaries and land registration among other changes. For instance, Uwase said that the changes include how foreigners can obtain land and how people can get government land to develop for public interest. Uwase disclosed that the new law has limited the foreigners in owning the land to avoid issues of big numbers of landowners who are foreigners. Commenting on the extent this law will respond to land issues, she said that a lot has been answered and they believe that if the law is implemented appropriately it will answer issues raised before the new law.
