The development follows recent Migration and Economic Development Partnership signed between Rwanda and UK on Thursday 14th April 2022.

The partnership will see Rwanda accommodating asylum seekers staying in UK illegally.

Under this program, the UK will provide an upfront investment of £120 million to fund invaluable opportunities for Rwandans and migrants including secondary qualifications, vocational and skills training, language lessons and higher education.

These asylum seekers from African countries and others outside the continent will be treated decently like Rwandans upon arrival. It is expected that those willing to return to their mother lands will be helped to do so.

As he addressed members of the press on Tuesday 31st May 2022; Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta has confirmed that the first batch will arrive in June.

“We are expecting the first group of migrants from the UK to arrive in June. We are still working on it and we are ready to receive them,” he said.

IGIHE has learnt that three buildings meeting requirements in Kigali City have been designated to host them.

These include Hope House located in Kinyinya Sector. The latter is managed by AERG (Association des Etudiants et Eleves Rescapés du Genocide), a body that brings together genocide survivors studying in university and secondary schools. The building previously accommodated Genocide orphans without shelters.

It has been prepared enough to accommodate the asylum seekers. The facility is expected to shelter 100 people who will be served food thrice a day.

Refugees and asylum seekers will enjoy their rights to move freely and return to the building anytime they want.

New facilities including a football playground, Volleyball and Basketball courts for asylum seekers are being developed at the premises.

The five-storey building constructed between 2010 and 2014 has all necessary equipment including beds.

Hope House also has a large room that can serve as a refectory and multipurpose hall where asylum seekers will turn up for social interactions.

‘Desire Resort Hotel’ located in Kagugu of Gasabo District is another facility set to accommodate asylum seekers. It has 72 rooms and different recreational facilities including a swimming pool.

More refugees and asylum seekers will be hosted at ’Hallmark residences’, a facility comprised of 30 units with 102 rooms.

Those to be hosted at the facility will also be fed and helped to participate in different recreational activities.

Rwanda is set to receive first batch of migrants and asylum seekers from UK in June.