EASTERN PROVINCE Residents of Nshuri Trading Centre in Nyagatare District, who are facing eviction, have expressed fears that their children could dropout of school due to fees constraints. The residents claim that their source of income has been greatly interfered with after area authorities closed their businesses late last year. The claims follow an order from area local leaders issued last October, banning all business activities in the centre, as part of the activities to evict them. About 400 residents face eviction, but some of them are still challenging the decision. Late last December, Nyagatare District authorities demolished houses belonging to some six families. The affected residents have since claimed to be facing difficult conditions following the demolition of their houses. They argue that they have full authority over the land as they have lived there for over fifteen years. Talking to the New Times on Tuesday, the parents said they were not sure whether their children would go back to school this academic year, a day after schools opened countrywide. They appealed to the concerned authorities to intervene and address their financial woes which they claim started after facing a ban being imposed on their commercial activities. ‘For many children who are supposed to go back to school this term, financial constraints is a terrible experience’, said Felix Kagabo, one of the parents. The Tabagwe Sector Executive Secretary, Habibu Ngoga, and Anthlem Rurangwa, the district Vice-Mayor in charge of Economic Affairs however, recently dismissed the claims that some residents were left homeless as a result of the demolition, saying the buildings which were demolished were not residential. Ends
