Canal Olympia will cease theatre operations at the Kigali Culture Village on December 28, with film screenings at the facility’s 300-seat cinema hall set to halt until a new operator is hired.
In a statement released on December 13, the management announced the temporary closure of the Rebero-based venue as it undergoes a management transition, bringing to an end five years of operations under Canal Olympia’s stewardship.
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"Film screening will resume very soon at your cinema under the leadership of a new director,” the statement read in part.
Speaking to The New Times, Jacinthe Isingizwe, the facility manager, confirmed that Canal Olympia will no longer manage the venue and that a new operator is expected to take over.
"The project has ended. Canal Olympia is stepping down, and the facility will continue to operate under new operators,” she said.
The announcement has come as a surprise to many patrons who have frequented the modern entertainment complex since its opening in 2021.
Canal Olympia Rebero was established to meet Rwanda’s growing demand for quality entertainment facilities by bringing together multiple recreational activities in one location. The complex features a 300-seat cinema that screens the latest films for both children and adults in French and English.
Until a new operator is announced, the closure leaves film lovers with no operational cinema venue to enjoy movie screenings in Kigali with Century Cinema also closed.
Beyond film screenings, the complex also includes an outdoor amphitheatre with a capacity of up to 15,000 people, suitable for concerts and large-scale events. It further offers conference facilities and hosts Rwanda’s unique Escape Game experience.
The development of Canal Olympia Rebero formed part of a broader agreement between Vivendi Group and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to invest in the Kigali Cultural Village (KCV) project, aimed at transforming the area into a major cultural and entertainment hub.
While management has indicated that film screenings will resume under new leadership, details regarding the incoming operator and the timeline for reopening remain unclear.
The transition marks the end of Canal Olympia’s five-year stewardship of a venue that has grown into a popular destination for families, movie enthusiasts, and event-goers in Kigali.