Exiled tycoon moves to court to stop Rwanda govt’s seizure of his properties

The mansion belonging to Rwandan tycoon Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa, who is exiled in South Africa, which has been taken over by the government. The businessman has moved to court to stop the seizure of his other properties, including a tea estate. The state recently took over his
United Trade Centre (UTC) mall. Photo/Daniel Sabiiti 

By Special Correspondent Rwanda Today

In Summary

• And now the 73-year-old tycoon, who is exiled in South Africa, fears that several of his other properties in Rwanda could be seized after the District of Kicukiro and Rwanda National Police occupied his mega mansion located in Gikondo, Kicukiro, on October 25.
• Mr Rujugiro fears his multimillion-dollar tea estate in Nyaruguru District, Southern Province, could be next in the crosshairs of the Commission for Abandoned Properties.
• Mr Rujugiro, who was President Paul Kagame’s economic adviser, left Rwanda in 2009 after battling tax evasion and money laundering charges in the United Kingdom.

The government has moved to attach a multimillion-dollar residence of embattled tycoon Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa weeks after it took over his mall.

And now the 73-year-old tycoon, who is exiled in South Africa, fears that several of his other properties in Rwanda could be seized after the District of Kicukiro and Rwanda National Police occupied his mega mansion located in Gikondo, Kicukiro, on October 25.

Mr Rujugiro’s publicist, Dr David Himbara, said relatives of the businessman were ordered out of the house without notice.

Dr Himbara added that Mr Rujugiro fears his multimillion-dollar tea estate in Nyaruguru District, Southern Province, could be next in the crosshairs of the Commission for Abandoned Properties.

The Nshili Kivu Tea Company, which Mr Rujugiro took over in 2006, pays taxes in excess of $1 million annually.

“Officials of Kicukiro District and a large contingent of police officers marched into the mansion and took it over,” said Dr Himbara. “No warning, no court order, nothing.

“Relatives of Mr Rujugiro and several employees lived in it and were taking care of it. They were told to vacate it immediately.

“We think that the next target is the tea estate. The rate at which this is happening is really absurd.”

Mr Rujugiro, who was President Paul Kagame’s economic adviser, left Rwanda in 2009 after battling tax evasion and money laundering charges in the United Kingdom.

Then, the businessman went straight to South Africa, where he has since lived, and it emerged later that he had fallen out with the government.

Financing dissidents

Once among the ruling party Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) stalwarts, he now faces allegations of financing groups that are opposed to the government. These include Rwanda National Congress, which was founded by exiled renegade army officers Lt-Gen Kayumba Nyamwasa and Col Patrick Karegeya.

The posh mansion, which has more than 60 rooms and other amenities, is valued Rwf1.3 billion ($2 million) and boasts a panoramic view of Kigali city. It is located near a multimillion-dollar housing estate commonly called “Kwa Rujugiro,” which the tycoon had allegedly sold off.

Over a fortnight ago, the government finalised the process to repossess the Union Trade Centre (UTC), one of Rwanda’s largest shopping malls located in the heart of the city. Days later, a law that gave the government the right to take over “abandoned properties” was tabled in parliament, a move Mr Rujugiro said was aimed at justifying illegal seizure of his property.

The draft legislation, which is still in parliament, is aimed at giving the government legal cover to take over properties of people who “may (1) have died and there is no legal heir; (2) be living in exile due to various reasons; (3) be staying abroad due to various reasons.”