An inspection by the City of Kigali has found faults in sanitation and wastewater management in at least 82 buildings, The New Times has learnt.
The inspection intensified after Inkundamahoro Building in the Nyabugogo area was closed over sanitation, safety and environmental concerns.
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The compliance inspection has assessed nearly 130 buildings and will continue, according to Emma-Claudine Ntirenganya, the City of Kigali spokesperson.
"As of September 7, 2026, 128 buildings had been inspected. Of these, 34, or 27%, were compliant, 12, or 9%, were partially compliant, while 82, or 64%, were non-compliant,” Ntirenganya told The New Times.
However, the city official did not reveal the full list of inspected buildings.
She said the exercise will continue to cover more buildings across the city, with particular attention to those with wastewater treatment systems and those where sanitation or wastewater management concerns have been raised.
Ntirenganya said the main issues identified include inadequate maintenance of wastewater treatment systems, including cases where there is no licensed maintenance company or skilled operator.
Other problems include failure to regularly test treated wastewater to ensure it meets required environmental discharge standards.
She said wastewater from septic tanks was also discharged without additional treatment, such as filtration and disinfection, where such treatment is required.
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"Some owners and managers of buildings deliberately disconnected electricity from their sewage treatment systems, preventing the systems from operating properly. Some sewage treatment plants were found to need repairs, upgrades or better maintenance to ensure they function properly,” she said.
Fines for non-compliance
Ntirenganya said owners and managers of non-compliant buildings were informed about the specific problems identified and were ordered to correct them within a specified timeframe, depending on the nature and extent of the problem.
"Follow-up inspections will be conducted to verify compliance. The objective of the inspection is to ensure that building owners correct the identified issues and properly manage wastewater. However, where a building owner fails to comply with the requirements within the given timeframe, enforcement measures are applied in accordance with the applicable regulations,” she explained.
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Closure of a building is considered after the owners or management have failed to make the required improvements after two notices, Ntirenganya said.
A person who fails to comply with wastewater management requirements may also face an administrative fine ranging from Rwf50,000 to Rwf5 million, depending on the violation, in addition to being required to correct the identified problems.
"The city therefore encourages building owners and managers not to wait for enforcement, but to regularly maintain their wastewater systems, use qualified professionals, test treated wastewater and ensure that any wastewater discharged into the environment meets the required standards,” she said.
"Compliance is ultimately about protecting the people and our city. Proper wastewater management helps prevent disease, protects our water and environment, and keeps our neighbourhoods clean and safe. By complying with these requirements, building owners contribute to a safer City of Kigali and healthier lives for everyone.”
Part of Green Building Minimum Compliance System
The Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) Director General, Alphonse Rukaburandekwe, said on September 8 that under the 2019 Rwanda Building Code framework, the Green Building Minimum Compliance System is mandatory for new Category 4 and 5 buildings.
Category 4 includes major buildings such as larger commercial, institutional, public and multi-storey developments, while Category 5 covers the most complex or high-risk structures, including buildings with specialised uses or significant structural, fire or public safety considerations.
Because these buildings have greater potential environmental and public safety impacts, the Green Building Minimum Compliance System is mandatory for new Category 4 and 5 developments, unlike lower categories, where compliance is generally voluntary.
The system contains 29 indicators, with mandatory and optional indicators contributing to a minimum compliance score.
The indicators also cover areas such as water-efficient plumbing fixtures and wastewater treatment, Rukaburandekwe said.
The government is reviewing its building code as part of efforts to promote sustainable urbanization.