Rural Settlement in Rwanda: An assessment of land management and livelihoods. | Land Portal
Rural Settlement in Rwanda: An assessment of land  management and livelihoods. cover image

Resource information

Date of publication: 
December 2015
Resource Language: 
ISBN / Resource ID: 
Rwanda LAND (Research) - 2
Copyright details: 
USAID

Residential land in Rwanda is scarce due to hilly terrain, a high population and a focus on agricultural growth to address food security concerns. The situation worsened following the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, which led to extensive destruction of houses and infrastructure, leading to thousands of Rwandans becoming homeless. To address these concerns, the government embarked upon a resettlement programme to regroup people into planned residential areas, ‘imidugudu’, the aim of which is to provide improved quality of life for the population through the provision of basic needs. This study seeks to understand some of the issues faced by imidugudu residents. The study finds that local authorities and residents generally view the programme positively, but that residents have a strong sense of reliance on the government and other stakeholders to supply what is needed to improve livelihoods, rather than to take ownership for improving their own situations. In this regard, there is a need to encourage developing resilience and a more independent outlook among imidugudu residents.

Authors and Publishers

Author(s), editor(s), contributor(s): 

Thierry Hoza Ngoga

Publisher(s): 

We are one of the world’s leading peacebuilding organisations, with 30 years of experience laying the foundations for peace.


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Data provider

The LAND Project is a five year program supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Its primary goal is strengthening the resilience of Rwandan citizens, communities and institutions and their ability to adapt to land-related economic, environmental and social changes.

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