Having Rwandans live in decent houses is one of Rwanda’s development priority. By 2008, the country had achieved only 22%, a figure which compelled Government to establish a Rural Settlement Task Force (RSTF) in December 2008 to reach the target.
First beneficiaries were communities relocated from scattered and high risk zone areas. This bore the idea of Integrated Development Programme (IDP model village) in 2010.
As of 2019, the Ministry of Infrastructure reported 130 IDP model villages constructed countrywide. Out of these, 70 IDP villages were made of clustered buildings of 4-in-1, 2-in-1 and 8-in-1 units.
Beneficiaries were members of 4,200 households and every year, one of the model villages is launched on Liberation Day – July 4.
The gesture is a reminder that battlefront liberation has handed over to health, economic liberation which work in progress.
Here are some of the model villages which completely changed lifestyle of beneficiaries.
Located in Rweru Sector, Bugesera district, Rweru model village is one of the rarest stories of shifting hundreds of citizens who were isolated on two islands. The residents were sifted from Mazane and Sharita and only had a handful of boats which crossed over to the mainland to see and enjoy developmental aspects in their own district. Even when Mazane Island had no electricity, one primary school and a health center, it was not easy to convince citizens to abandon their fishing, papyrus handcrafts and subsistence farming lifestyle. The new home has electricity connection, clean water, a modern market, a school and a 12-kilometre road network. The Rweru IDP was inaugurated by President Paul Kagame. It is home to 140 houses which accommodate 288 families.
Even though they lived in the city of Kigali, 400 families in Karama and Gikomero sector in Gasabo and Nyarugenge District respectively were no different from Mazane and Sharita Islanders. Both Karama and Gikomero villages have school infrastructure including Science and ICT laboratories, Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDs).
In July, 2020, Gishuro Model Village, Groupe Scolaire Tabagwe and Tabagwe Health Centre, Integrated new handcraft centre, Agriculture farms and cowsheds and an ECD in Tabagwe, Nyagatare district were unveiled as part of the annual Liberation Day celebrations. The village, located at 19 km from Nyagatare City is home to 64 vulnerable families. The model village came as a solution for Tabagwe Sector residents who used to cross over to Uganda in search of basic needs.
This liberation dignity has been seen in places like Rongi Sector in Muhanga District, which is home to Rwf18 billion Horezo village seated on 156 hectares with 25 house structure built in a modern 4 in 1 style. The village inaugurated in 2018 accommodates 100 families but with a story to tell from the past. The village has a health post, recreational facilities including a football pitch, Basketball and volleyball pitches and two airstrips, model pre-school complex, Primary and secondary school with capacity to accommodate 720 students.
On behalf of HE Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda and Commander-in-Chief of Rwanda Defence Force, the Minister of Defence, Hon. Maj Gen Albert Murasira and Local Government Minister, Hon. Gatabazi J Marie Vianney inaugurated Kinigi IDP Model Village that accommodates 144 families in Musanze District on 4 July 2021. The Model village constructed by Rwanda Defence Force in partnership with other Government Institutions was inaugurated and availed to locals as Rwanda marks the 27th Liberation Day Celebration. The IDP Model Village consists of 6 Apartments that accommodate 144 families, Groupe Scolaire Kampanga, an ECD, Kinigi Health Centre and other welfare support facilities such as cowsheds for 102 cows, poultry cages for 8000 chicken, livestock hall and Agakiriro among others. The village also has a water supply system, access roads, electricity, and many trees planted in the entire compound, among others.
On behalf of HE Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda and Commander-in-Chief of Rwanda Defence Force, Rt Hon Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente inaugurated MUNINI IDP Model Village on 04th July 2022. The Model village constructed by Rwanda Defence Force in partnership with other Government Institutions was handed over to 48 families as Rwanda marks the 28th Liberation Day Celebration. The Model Village consists of residential houses, Groupe Scolaire Munini that includes Primary and Secondary school as well as ECD and other welfare support facilities.