Rwanda Initiative for
Sustainable Development

Tuesday January 19th 2010 saw yet another memorable event in RISD’s protracted effort towards emancipation of pro– policies in Rwanda. For a long time there has existed a very good working relationship between RISD and the Office of the Ombudsman in the area of Land. The two went to a higher level to concretise this relationship by signing an indefinite Memorandum of Understanding establishing a stronger partnership to fight land related injustices. The new partnership will further strengthen the institutions’ capacities to monitor whether the implementation of land reform programs aimed at providing security for land rights are appropriate, just and fair. The historic event took place at the office of the Ombudsman in Kigali and to append on the MoU was Bishop Nathan Gasatura, Chairman RISD Board of Directors and Mr. Tito Rutaremara the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman in a press release noted that, “In order to intervene effectively, there is need to partner with civil society organisations like RISD, given its long-term experience in the area land related research, and land related technical dispute management.†On his part Bishop Gasatura said, “If the local institutions have the right skills and knowledge to manage land related disputes and the population is aware of their land rights and obligations, then the Rwanda National Land Reform process will be implemented successfully, fairly, peacefully and justly, which is a critical path to sustainable development.†Currently RISD is implementing a project of training Local leaders in land dispute management, conflict resolution mechanisms and the Organic Land Law and related laws including Expropriation Law, Inheritance and land rights especially for women and other marginalised groups.