LandNet Rwanda Chapter Consultative Meeting on Land Lease and Land Taxation - 09.-10.02.2012

The Rwanda Natural Resources Authority (RNRA) anticipates completing the land registration and issuance of title deeds by December 2013. These title deeds come with an obligation of the land owners to pay an annual land lease fee. Whereas this fee is paid by anyone with land ownership depending on the different land uses (residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, agricultural, mining and quarrying) as is provided for by article 68 of the Organic Land Law N° 08/2005 0f 14/07/2005 determining the use and management of land in Rwanda, it has become evident there is a confusion in the population between land lease and land taxation.

As contribution of Rwandan Civil Society, LandNet Rwanda Chapter hosted by Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable Development (RISD) is organizing a two day: 

Consultative meeting on Land Lease and Land Taxation,
on 09^th and  10^th February 2012, 

from 8.30 – 17.00 at Umubano Hotel in Kigali.

This consultative meeting is very important as land is the key area towards the achievement of economic poverty reduction and sustainable peace in Rwanda. Participants will be drawn from a wide representation in the country from decision makers to local leaders, grass roots community and Civil Society. Your input is highly valuable in these important discussions.

For more information please contact Deicole Gatanguliya, the LandNet Rwanda Chapter Programme Officer via email: deicoleg@risdrwanda.org  or phone: (+250) 788858280. 

HIV positive women denied inheritance rights – Reseaux Des Femmes report, The New Times, 30.01.2012

Women living with HIV/Aids in Gasabo and Nyanza districts are being denied their rights to inherit family property by their spouses and other relatives, a research conducted by the Women’s Network for Rural Development, commonly known by its French moniker Reseaux Des Femmes, has shown.

According to the research, carried out in three sectors in each of the districts, husbands say they cannot offer property to someone destined for death, leaving women stranded. Worse, they are threatened and, at times, thrown out of their marital homes once the husband dies, says the report, made public at a workshop in Remera, Kigali last week. 

The survey, sponsored by UN Women, focussed on issues related to women’s property and inheritance in the context of HIV/Aids. Nutritional needs were highlighted as the other challenges facing the women, it said.

The research was carried out as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of women’s vulnerability to HIV/Aids through enhanced advocacy and increasing their access to property, according to Beata Busasa, the National Coordinator for Women’s Network for Rural Development.

“The research provides broader understanding of the challenges to women infected with HIV. People living with HIV need a lot of support to live their full lives just like anybody else,” Busasa said in an interview with The New Times. 

In the case of discordant couples (where one partner is negative), the report says, women are mistreated and accused of being responsible for bringing the virus. With an estimated three percent of the adult population infected with HIV, Rwanda is less affected than other regional countries. 

The National Strategic Plan on HIV and Aids 2009 to 2012 provides that people infected and affected by HIV have the same opportunities as the general population. However, grassroots leaders are not keen to resolve issues of violation of the inheritance rights of women infected with the virus, the report indicated.  

And most women, especially in rural areas, are ignorant of where to seek appropriate help in case their rights are abused, the researchers said.

Landportal - How can women's land rights be secured?

There is a lot of awareness on the discrimination women face in terms of their land rights and growing recognition that women’s land rights is a priority topic in food security, rural development, and women’s empowerment. ILC, FAO and IFAD, will organise a side-event entitled “How can women’s land rights be secured?” at the 56^th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) to identify and learn from policies, projects and processes through which women’s land rights have been secured.

This discussion wants to gather inputs to enrich our debate in New York and raise the profile of women’s land rights issues in the CSW more generally. We would like to request your contribution on:

1. successful examples of women claiming their rights;
2. examples of policies and tools that promote women’s land rights;
3. the role of women’s organisations;
4. the wider policy context.

We are looking forward to a stimulating debate, and hope that you will share your experience and views, as well as many concrete examples of rural women claiming their land rights to inform and motivate all of us!

Visit the Land Portal to find out more

How to participate:

Post your comments

Visit the gender page

Join the portal

 

UNCCD seeking applications for 2012 Land for Life Award

Rewarding leadership for sustainable land management 

Applications for the 2012 Land for Life Award are now open.

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is awarding inspiring initiatives which secure the health and productivity of soil for the well-being of present and future generations. The prize will be awarded to those efforts which reduce land degradation through sustainable land management, or are outstanding examples of political leadership, policy, business, advocacy campaigns or scientific research. More on criteria.

The Jury particularly welcomes nominations of candidates whose work is: innovative, collaborative, achieved in partnership across sectors, supports free knowledge sharing and capacity building, empowers vulnerable and marginalized groups, and fosters gender equality, cultural diversity and social inclusion.

Three awards will be granted in 2012 from a total prize fund of up to USD 100,000.

The deadline for applications is 29 February 2012. 

Nominations are welcome from:

• individuals
• institutions
• non-governmental organizations and civil society
• private sector
• academic and research organizations
• policy makers
• journalists and media.

Winners will be announced on the World Day to Combat Desertification,17 June 2012.

Private sector urged to invest in Agriculture - The New Times, 19.01.2012

The Minister of Agriculture (Minagri), Dr Agnes Kalibata, has called on the business community to invest in agri-businesses. She was addressing journalists yesterday at the ministry’s headquarters in Kacyiru, Gasabo District. 

“The current involvement of the private sector in agro-business activities is still very low and I think it’s imperative for them to aggressively exploit this industry because it is profitable; it will also help promote food security in the country,” Kalibata said. She observed that if more businesses got involved in various agric-business activities, it would make Rwanda a major food-exporting country, thus turning the economy around. 

The minister said that currently, a big percentage of those involved in agricultural activities are subsistence small-scale farmers. The ministry has put in place various mechanisms aimed at mobilising the private sector to come on board to venture into the sector, she explained. Kalibata said the ministry was always at the disposal of people who need guidance on which area to invest in, as well as for support, including facilitating prospective investors to acquire loans.

She said that, this year, the ministry plans to step up irrigation programmes, especially in the Eastern Province, to help increase production volumes, adding that it was yet another opportunity for the private sector. The ministry will also continue to construct terraces on the hilly terrains to control soil erosion, she added. 

Invitation - IHRB Roundtable on Land, Business and Human Rights in Kampala, 27.01.2012

The Institute for Human Rights and Business, invites to a roundtable discussion in Kampala, Uganda, on 27 January 2012, on land, business, and human rights. The event follows earlier convenings on this subject organized by the Institute in Manesar, India in June 2009, Bogota, Colombia in May 2010, Johannesburg, South Africa in November 2010 and Naivasha, Kenya in February 2011. 

Based on dialogue and recommendations from various stakeholders at previous convenings, the Institute has now developed a set of draft guidelines and a framework which addresses human rights abuses with regard to land and human rights, including processes before acquisition, during acquisition, and after operations have commenced and, if necessary, relocation and rehabilitation arranged, and compensation paid.  The roundtable in Kampala will bring together a group of participants from civil society and business to provide feedback on the draft guidance from a regional perspective with a view to finalising the draft and a report to be launched in September 2012. 

In the mean time, comments and feedback will be accepted until 29 February 2012. and should be sent to land@ihrb.org. Interested participants should confirm their attendance via kelly.scott@ihrb.org as soon as possible.

Job vacancies at Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable Development (RISD)

Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable Development (RISD) is committed to contributing to pro-poor land policies in Rwanda and within the region.   In an effort to fulfil her commitment, RISD now wishes to recruit three professionals, with working languages being English, French and Kinyarwanda: RISD is seeking to recruit a Research and Policy Analysis Advisor, and Project Specialists (2).  Interested candidate should fulfil the following requirements:

Position 1: Research and Policy Analysis Advisor

Responsibilities

• Design research projects of the organisation
• Analyse existing laws and conducted research data for policy influencing and advocacy
• Take a lead in documenting RISD’s research and publications for policy and advocacy influencing
• Develop and implement a strategy for RISD to be able to link research to the grassroots priority development needs and policy influencing
• Document lessons from RISD and partners’ research
• Take on other duties that may be required in line with her/his duties

Qualification

• A Masters (MA) Degree in Law or MA in Development Studies

Position 2: Project  Specialist  (2)

Responsibilities

• To assist in designing the appropriate program and projects of the organisation, guided by the 5-Year Strategy of the organization.
• To develop strategic proposals for RISD projects
• To assist in the strategic implementation of all RISD programs and projects
• To monitor and evaluate all RISD programs and projects
• Design a projects participatory monitoring and evaluation (M&E)  tool for RISD and partners
• Take on other duties that may be required in line with her/his duties

Qualification

• MBA with specialisation in project management or  MA in Economics Development or MA in Development Studies

Experience required for the two positions

• Be familiar with land related policies and conflict management related to land
• Excellent Technical and Analytical English Writing skills
• A minimum of three years of working experience in the same field
• Strong networking skills both with NGOs and government ministries
• Regional/international experience is an added advantage
• Experience of working with NGOs will be an added advantage  
• Strong Team Building and management skills
• Good communication skills

Language

• Working language for all positions is English, but strong command of Kinyarwanda is necessary; Knowledge of French is an advantage.

Conditions of Employment

• The successful candidates will be based in Kigali with extensive travelling nationally.
• All positions are for a 2 years period renewable
• All positions are part of the senior management team of RISD
• Remuneration package is attractive but negotiable

Please email current CV in reverse chronological format with an application letter for the position; authentic copy of your qualification papers; and two referees to kairabaa@risdrwanda.org. Only shortlisted candidates will be communicated to.

Closing Date: January 27^th 2012.   RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer, However, women are more encouraged to apply for the jobs.

PM extends deadline for land lease fees - The New Times, 30.12.2011

Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, yesterday, moved to clear the confusion surrounding the new land lease tax levied by the government, issuing new directives to clear all the irregularities cited by land owners.

The Premier convened a meeting with all concerned ministries and government institutions involved in the implementation of the new policy, which will see land owners in their respective categories, pay an annual lease fee on their land.

The new tax levied on land under the new tenure system enacted in 2005 whose implementation began last month has been a subject of controversy with landowners crying foul over the disparities involved in the payment and the limited time given to pay up.

The meeting at the Prime Ministers Office brought together Kigali City authorities, ministries of Environment and Natural Resources and Local Government, Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) as well as the Military and Police.

The PM directed concerned authorities to extend the deadline from December 31 to January 31 to allow people who haven’t completed registration of their land time more time.

All land owners were to face a fine after the expiry of the deadline.

“We need more time to create more awareness among the population about the importance of paying the lease fees. There is a need for clear assessment of the process to remove any irregularities.

“The government doesn’t want this to be seen as a burden on its citizens but rather a tax which is affordable to everyone. As a government, we put the needs of the citizens first,” Habumuremyi said, ordering an immediate assessment of the payment procedure.

Some of the key issues that have been raised include why the government would want to lease land to its “real owners” and the disparities between the lease fees paid in the various categories of urban and rural areas which  leave some at a disadvantage.

During the 9th National Dialogue, the issue of disparities in the fees was raised, with claims that needy families, especially in rural areas, could not afford to pay the lease fees while it was also said the some poor people living near developed neighbourhoods ended up in wrong categories.

The Premier directed district advisory committees to reassess in a period of one month the payment process and study all complaints to ensure that there are no disparities in taxes levied on the land vis-à-vis the incomes of the owners.

It was also resolved that the authorities look into the fees and come up with a minimum which is affordable for all land owners.

Under the 2005 Ministerial decree on land tenure, land owners are meant to pay a tax of Rwf 80 per square metre for residential land, Rwf150 for commercial land in all areas classified as urban areas while a tax ranging between Rwf50 and Rwf30 be levied on rural land.

The Minister of Natural Resources, Stanslas Kamanzi, said the issue of land tax has been misunderstood and blown out of proportion, observing that the situation is not alarming and the fees are not as high as alleged, compared to the value of land itself.

The Mayor of Kigali admitted that little was done to identify people classified as ‘poor’ or ‘needy’ whose land is next to neighbourhoods classified as ‘high end’, especially people who originally lived in the city.

It was also noted that the law was enacted when the country was still divided into prefectures with 11 provincial cities and later the administrative system was changed to district, meaning that land owners in the original ‘11 cities’ pay higher taxes than their counterparts in other towns across the country.

It was resolved that all land owners in rural areas with land that is not more than 2 hectares and used for Agricultural purposes should not pay taxes.

To avoid the concern of landowners paying tax on land that is not economically productive, it was agreed that all people with land in the city considered as “rural” and not more than 2 hectares, should not be taxed, unless the owner wants to change the land for commercial production.

City residents whose land is registered for residential purposes but is used for agricultural production were encouraged to consult with land registration authorities, the schedules will be communicated.

The Premier called on all concerned authorities to sensitise the population on the taxation procedures. The PM also directed authorities to reassess all land ‘categorised’ as wetland to ensure that some areas classified as swamps when they aren’t are declassified.