The City of Kigali has been ordered to pay 47 million Rwf to a resident who illegally demolished a building and is still standing.
NSANZIMANA SylverOct 12, 20264 min read
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The City of Kigali has been ordered to pay 47 million Rwf to a resident who illegally demolished a building and is still standing.
Mbarushimana Jeanne, a resident of Gatsata Sector, says she sued the City of Kigali in court, accusing it of illegally demolishing her houses. The court ordered her to pay over 47 million Rwf, but the City refused to pay her.
This happened in February 2024, when the City of Kigali demolished four houses he had built in Nyamabuye Cell, Gakomero Village, Gasabo District. Mbarushimana says that since then, he has been left with nothing and no place to live.
This mother of eight children says that she has lived in her current home since 1990, and that it is included in the master plan of the City of Kigali as a residential area. She says that she built with all the necessary facilities, was visited by district technicians, and paid all the required taxes.
He said, "The sad thing is that they are imposing taxes on me, I am stranded in the countryside, I have nothing to eat or drink, and my children are not studying well because the place where I earned money was destroyed." He says he is the only one in the entire area who was destroyed.
After failing to receive any help from the authorities he had sought, he decided to pursue legal action. He filed a complaint with the Nyarugenge High Court, Kigali City, which often refuses to respond to court summonses.
In the first case, the Nyarugenge High Court ruled in his favor, ordering the City of Kigali to pay him 41.87 million Rwf as the value of his damaged property, refund him 20 thousand Rwf in court costs, as well as compensation for suffering and rent for the house since it was demolished.
The City of Kigali was dissatisfied with the decision and appealed to the High Court of Kigali. Mbarushimana appealed, claiming that the amount he had been awarded was insufficient. The appeal hearing was held on July 25, 2025.
On appeal, the Kigali High Court again ruled in favor of Mbarushimana, ordering the City of Kigali to pay him 45,587 million Rwf. After filing a complaint, the judgment became final.
To date, since the City of Kigali has not voluntarily paid the amount required by law, the professional bailiff's fee has been added. This brings the total to 47,866,350 Rwf and must be paid.
Mbarushimana says that despite being demolished, he continues to be taxed for the land that was demolished and he has no means to do so. He says that the Ministry of Justice has written to the City of Kigali asking it to compensate this resident, but nothing has been done.
UMUSEKE reported that it has been trying to contact the City of Kigali for two weeks, but its administration has not responded. The City's spokesperson, Emma Claudine Ntirenganya, asked to be contacted on WhatsApp, but she did not respond either.
Regarding security in Kigali today, Kigali City continues to be seen as one of the safest cities in Africa. Security measures including DASSO patrols, Police and residents, and CCTV cameras throughout the city have led to a significant reduction in both petty and serious crimes.
In terms of development, Kigali is on a journey of infrastructure expansion. New roads, commercial buildings, the Kigali Green City project, and a revamped master plan have led to increased investment. But it is this plan to relocate and demolish illegal settlements that continues to cause concern among some residents who say they are not being informed in advance.Analysts say that compliance with court orders is one of the foundations of sustainable development and public security. Paying court-ordered compensation gives citizens confidence that the law applies to all, and is a key pillar in building a prosperous, safe and humane Kigali.
Tuganire newsroom
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NSANZIMANA Sylver
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