The City of Kigali has ordered the complete demolition of a three-storey commercial building in Nyabugogo after technical assessments found the structure unsafe, leaving its owner facing the loss of an investment estimated at more than Rwf800 million. The decision, announced in October 2026, followed months of visible deterioration that residents had flagged since the first floor was completed.
The building stands in the Norvege area of Nyabugogo, Nyarugenge District. Videos circulated on social media in August 2026 showing parts of the structure breaking off while workers were still on site, and the upper section leaning dangerously, according to KT PRESS.
What went wrong with the Nyabugogo building?
Twahirwa Theoneste, the owner, said the problem was not a shortage of construction materials but mistakes made during the construction process. He had entrusted the project to the professionals responsible for its design and construction, expecting a sound commercial building worth at least Rwf800 million, over US$600,000.
“We have suffered a major loss. I cannot immediately give an exact figure, such as saying it is this many millions. When we calculated the value of the building upon completion, it was estimated at Rwf800 million or more,” Twahirwa said.
He urged construction professionals to respect the money clients invest in their projects and deliver buildings that meet required standards.
“What we ask of people doing this work is that they should respect people's money. If someone pays you and provides the materials, you should give them a strong, high-quality structure,” he said.
He added that contractors and other professionals should apply the knowledge they acquired through training rather than carry out work that violates professional standards.
Warning signs appeared early
Residents said cracks were visible from the time the first floor was finished. By August 2026, portions of the structure were breaking off while construction continued, and support columns inside were reportedly crumbling under the weight of the floors above.
The defects identified included improperly mixed cement and steel reinforcement that did not meet the standards required for a large structure. Some steel components bent under the weight of the upper section, contributing to the instability, according to KT PRESS.
Habimana Assouman, a resident of Nyarugenge District, said allowing the building to stand could have resulted in a much greater tragedy if it had collapsed after people moved in.
“But looking at it another way, what if it had been completed and this happened while people were inside? Wouldn't that have been a much bigger problem?” he said.
City of Kigali: no safe way to save the building
Emma Claudine Ntirenganya, spokesperson for the City of Kigali, said the demolition order followed a technical assessment that found no safe way to retain parts of the structure. Laboratory tests initially indicated that some sections could potentially be removed while others were preserved, but a further technical study ruled out that option.
“Once both assessments were completed, they showed that it simply would not work and was not feasible. The only option is to remove the entire building, after which the owner can apply for a new construction permit,” Ntirenganya said.
Demolition has since begun. Any new construction on the site will require a fresh application for a building permit.
Why professional accountability matters for Rwanda's construction sector
The case has raised questions about construction standards and professional accountability, and about the risks faced by property owners who rely on architects and construction engineers to deliver safe buildings. An architect is responsible for a building's design, while construction engineers and other qualified professionals ensure the structure is built safely and in accordance with approved plans.
In this case, the defects raise serious questions about whether those involved met their professional obligations. However, the specific responsibility of each professional, and whether any individual deliberately deceived the owner, has not been established in the information available, KT PRESS reported.
Ntirenganya urged investors to engage qualified professionals with the necessary expertise and to ensure that they belong to the relevant professional bodies. She said doing so helps promote compliance with professional standards and makes it easier to hold practitioners accountable for their work.
A regional warning
The Kigali case carries weight beyond Rwanda's borders. In neighboring Kenya, AP News reported that a tall building collapsed in a busy commercial area of Nairobi, with many people feared trapped beneath the rubble. The contrast is stark: in Kigali, inspections and a demolition order intervened before anyone occupied the structure.
Rwanda's discipline in enforcing construction standards protects lives first. The Nyabugogo building will come down before it can harm anyone, and the owner, though he suffers a heavy financial loss, retains the right to rebuild under a new permit. That is the price of vigilance, and the guarantee of safety for the residents of Nyabugogo.
FAQ
Why is the Nyabugogo building being demolished?
The City of Kigali ordered the demolition after technical assessments found no safe way to retain any part of the structure, which had serious defects including improperly mixed cement and inadequate steel reinforcement.
How much did the building owner lose?
Twahirwa Theoneste estimated the completed building would have been worth at least Rwf800 million, over US$600,000.
When did the building problems become public?
Videos showing parts of the structure breaking off circulated on social media in August 2026, and residents reported visible cracks since the first floor was completed.