The City of Kigali is looking for a new contractor to revive the stalled Rugarama housing estate project in Nyamirambo, after terminating its agreement with the initial developer. ALSO READ: Who qualifies to own a home in proposed 2,000-unit affordable housing estate in Nyamirambo? The 2,700-unit affordable housing project, launched in 2018 and backed by government subsidies, was abandoned shortly after construction began and has remained dormant for years. The Mayor of the City of Kigali, Samuel Dusengiyumva, provided updates on the project while responding to questions from members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament as they analysed the Auditor General’s report ending June 30, 2024. The report highlights stalled works for the development of affordable houses in Rugarama. The report reads: “As highlighted in the previous two audit reports, on November 2, 2018, the City of Kigali subsidised a project to develop 2,700 affordable houses in Nyarugenge District, Nyamirambo Sector and Rugarama Cell. The project duration was seven years. However, the project was abandoned soon after the works started, and is yet to be resumed.” Dusengiyumva told lawmakers that the city is working with Rwanda Housing Authority to revive the project. “Government institutions signed an agreement with the contractor to build the houses. However, the contractor did not execute it accordingly. So, the contract will be terminated. Through the Rwanda Housing Authority, a decision was taken not to provide the subsidies which had been planned. “So, the city council assessed the project and realised that the land availed by the city will work as the equity share. The land will be reclaimed by the city and we use it as we work on other projects. In July, we will write to the contractor informing them that the land has been reclaimed by the city and we seek other investors to use the land.” Rugarama Park Estate, sitting on 42 hectares, was expected to have 1,200 stacked townhouses priced between Rwf12 million for a one-bedroom studio to Rwf35 million for convertible four-bedroom units. The likely buyer into this mixed-income, mixed-use community would have an income ranging anywhere from Rwf200,000 to Rwf700,000 and must be a first-time homeowner. The project was estimated to cost $131 million, to accommodate 14,000 residents and provide jobs to hundreds of people during construction, as well as various opportunities after construction due to the traffic in the area.
