Young people in Bugesera District have revealed that they have built homes for eight families over the past four years, including survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and other vulnerable residents, under a programme known as “Urubyiruko Turashima” (Youth in Gratitude). The initiatives have cost more than Rwf 200 million.
The announcement was made on October 9, 2026, when young people in the district handed over two houses to families of survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The event marked the fourth edition of the “Urubyiruko Turashima” programme.
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Youth Support Vulnerable Families
The newly completed houses are located in Musenyi Sector and were built using more than Rwf 30 million raised by young people in the district. In addition to the houses, the beneficiaries received water tanks, cows and household items, including beds, chairs and mattresses.
Wihogora Christine, a resident of Cyeza Village in Musenyi Cell, Musenyi Sector, said she had spent a long time without a home and had relied on the hospitality of others for shelter. She said receiving a house and a cow from the youth marked a significant step forward in her life, giving her an opportunity to improve her living conditions and overcome poverty.
she said: “When someone has a place to live, they can think more clearly, which helps them succeed in other activities. I thank the youth and encourage them to continue promoting love and unity. I also thank the authorities who contributed to this initiative.”
Mukamana Jeannette, another beneficiary, said she had been renting a house for herself and her four children. She described her previous living conditions as extremely difficult and expressed gratitude to the young people for building her a good house and providing her with a cow and a water tank.
she said: “What I promise the government is that, in the future, I will show them that I truly needed the house they have given me. I will also take good care of the cow so that one day I can help someone else. The young people we have today are compassionate and committed to helping vulnerable people. We will continue supporting them and ensuring that we take good care of everything they have given us.”
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Programme Has Supported Eight Families
Mbonimpaye Pascal, Coordinator of the National Youth Council in Bugesera District, said the “Urubyiruko Turashima” programme had now been organised four times.
He explained that the initiative had provided homes for eight families, including six families of Genocide survivors and two other vulnerable households. According to Mbonimpaye, the support provided to the eight families was worth more than Rwf 200 million. The assistance included house construction, fired bricks, cows, household equipment and the plots of land on which the houses were built.
he said: “We do this to express our gratitude to our Head of State. Having observed how young people are benefiting from economic development, improved social welfare, good governance and leadership that instils values in us, we asked ourselves how we could support our Head of State in return. We began by building houses for vulnerable people, using our collective strength to help one or two people at a time improve their living conditions. Today, we are grateful that we have provided homes for eight families and given them cows and many other items.”
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Mayor Commends Youth Contribution
Bugesera District Mayor Mutabazi Richard commended the youth for their contribution to addressing some of the challenges facing the community. He noted that the people receiving the houses were often among the most vulnerable members of society.
he said: “Looking back at our history, we know that some young people were misled and ended up destroying things, but today’s youth are building homes for people. That alone is commendable. Even if you do not build anything, simply avoiding destruction is already worthwhile. However, our young people do more than refrain from destruction: they also repair bridges and build homes for people. This in itself shows that they have made significant progress.”
