A total of 155 landowners in Bugesera and Muhanga are set to receive compensation as the government moves ahead with the development of industrial parks in the two districts. The development works are already ongoing, and authorities are continuing to work on compensation for the residents whose land is being affected by the developments. ALSO READ: Govt to expropriate residents from four industrial parks According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, some residents have already been compensated to pave the way for the development of essential infrastructure, but more landowners are expected to be compensated before the end of the year. Christian Twahirwa, Director General of Industry and Entrepreneurship at the ministry, told The New Times that compensation amounts vary based on the developments that are present on each plot. “The government estimated that the required budget is around Rwf9 billion. Under this year’s budget, we secured about Rwf5.1 billion,” he added. The government is considering a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) approach, where expropriation and infrastructure development would happen at the same time. Twahirwa noted that due to the costs involved in the process, the government prioritised compensation for residents living around the two parks this year. “During this fiscal year, we will complete the Bugesera Special Economic Zone and then partly deal with Muhanga,” he explained. ALSO READ: Rwamagana to host Rwanda's first eco-park for clay-based building materials Under the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), the completion of priority industrial parks is key to drive economic growth through industrialisation. Rwanda currently has two Special Economic Zones (in Kigali and Bugesera) and eight industrial parks across the country, including Musanze, Rubavu, Muhanga, Rusizi, Huye, Nyabihu, Rwamagana, and Nyagatare Industrial Parks. According to the trade ministry, so far, more than 320 factories have been established in these zones, with over 70 percent fully operational and the rest at various stages of development.
