UK-Rwanda asylum seekers’ deal: Good news for Kigali hotels

With the pink paint on its walls fading, the Rouge by Desir hotel is about a 10-minute drive from the centre of Rwanda’s capital, Kigali.

The six-storey hotel has 72 rooms with views of the hilly city. It is set in a residential area with a mix of stand-alone homes and businesses - and will be one of the places in the city where Rwanda plans to accommodate asylum seekers sent by the UK under a controversial deal between the two governments.

Operations manager Jackie Uwamungu cheerfully shows me around.

“We have VIP, silver, double and twin rooms, a swimming pool and a conference hall,” she said as we went up the stairs.

The rooms are basic with a bed, movable wardrobe, desk and chairs and a small television set mounted on the wall.

The hotel is still taking bookings, but we notice there are very few customers.

O

ne person has been

Business is just recovering from the long arrested “Rwanda after he has and totally transformed over the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 panlast few decades, it’s a very, very different

six others allegedly set

demic, said Ms Uwamungu. country from what it was,” he said recently,

ablaze a house destroying

So the migrants deal is a welcome relief. although much of the criticism is aimed at “Oh, it will boost our business, property honestly,” worth President K12,350 Paul in Kagame’s government, has she admits. But not all Rwandans are enthubeen in power since 1994.

Kapijimpanga area in Solwezi

siastic about the deal Though it is unclear how many asylum

district.

Opposition politician and former politiseekers the UK plans to send, Rwanda has cal prisoner Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza North-western said also identified province 102 rooms at the Hallmark that before offering to host asylum seekers, Residence in Kigali’s Nyarugunga suburb.

Deputy Commissioner of Po

Rwanda’s government should focus on solvThere are 30 furnished three- and

lice, Fred Mulenga who con

ing the political and social issues that make four-bedroom bungalows, with their own Rwandans seek refuge abroad. firmed the incident gates and gardens. in Solwezi

Rwanda’s government has a reputation General manager Nina Gatesi admits she

today said the incident hap

in human rights circles of being repressive does not know much about the migrant deal

pened on 18th February 2022

- and has previously been accused of sendand the facility has not yet signed any agreeing hit squads to kill dissents in at exile 13:24 and of hours. ment with the Rwandan government. But demanding loyalty from Rwandans in the she says the residence is eager to provide diaspora. accommodation.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has deOther migrants will be hosted at the more fended his government’s plan to send asybasic Hope Hostel, currently under renovalum seekers to the East African country. tion.