Investment in feeder roads has received a major boost in the proposed 2026/2027 national budget after senators called for stronger action to connect some rural communities. The proposed allocation for establishing and rehabilitating feeder roads increased by Rwf483 billion, bringing the total allocation to more than Rwf1,270 billion. ALSO READ: Senators call for increased funding for roads, Genocide survivors' homes Total resources for the 2026/27 fiscal year are projected at Rwf7,796.3 billion, a 12 per cent increase compared to the revised 2025/26 budget, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. The increase was highlighted on Thursday, June 18, during Senate discussions on the draft law determining the State budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Presenting the report of the Senate Committee on Economy and Finance, Senator Fulgence Nsengiyumva said the adjustment followed recommendations issued during consideration of the Budget Framework Paper. ALSO READ: Priority projects driving proposed 2026/27 budget increase On May 14, senators approved recommendations to be forwarded to the Chamber of Deputies, urging the Government to increase funding for the transport sector to address mobility challenges in communities still affected by poor roads and damaged bridges. “One of the recommendations was to increase the transport budget to address isolation in some rural areas where vehicles could not reach because of lack of roads and poor bridges,” Nsengiyumva said. He noted that the additional investment is expected to support both construction of new feeder roads and rehabilitation of existing ones. ALSO READ: Budget: Local govt entities prioritise agriculture, roads, social protection Lawmakers argued that improved connectivity is necessary not only to ease transport but also to strengthen access to markets, public services and economic opportunities. During the session, Senator Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu welcomed the increase and pointed to areas that continue to experience road access challenges. “The increase in district roads funding is positive because we continue to see poor roads in places such as Gishwati,” he said. Senator Amandin Rugira said the draft budget reflected efforts to finance development largely through domestic resources while recognising that loans remain part of the financing structure. Domestic revenue is expected to contribute Rwf5,273 billion, equivalent to 68%. Foreign grants are projected at 7%, while external loans will amount to Rwf1,974 billion. Rugira noted that about 90 per cent of the budget is expected to come from taxes and borrowing, stressing the importance of ensuring that borrowed resources generate value. The Senate committee also highlighted other recommendations that were considered in the revised budget beyond road infrastructure. One of the proposals was to boost funding for industrial parks development in order to strengthen their contribution to exports and value addition. In response, the budget for establishing and maintaining industrial parks infrastructure was increased by more than Rwf95 million. Lawmakers had also recommended increased support for the maintenance and expansion of genocide memorials at district level. The revised budget provides allocations to districts including Kayonza, Rwamagana, Nyamasheke and Huye, with plans to extend coverage to other districts as resources allow. In addition, senators had urged the Government to strengthen urban and rural settlement programmes, particularly to support vulnerable households and improve planned resettlement. The allocation for these programmes increased by more than Rwf1.4 billion, alongside a Rwf4 billion rise in support for poor households, part of which will also contribute to relocation programmes for households in risky areas.
