Heza Estate in Batsinda set to welcome homeowners by January 2027 #rwanda #RwOT

The affordable housing project, located in Kinyinya Sector, Gasabo District, Kigali, is being developed by RSSB and comprises 548 housing units designed for different categories of buyers, including workers, families, Rwandans living abroad and others seeking to own homes.

The development features both apartments and townhouses. The apartment blocks include two- and three-bedroom units, each with two bathrooms, while the townhouses are available in two categories, offering two- and three-bedroom options across two- and three-storey designs.

The estate is also planned to include commercial spaces, a nursery school, sports facilities, including basketball and volleyball courts, as well as landscaped gardens and recreational areas for residents.

The project has, however, faced significant delays since its launch in 2014. A report by the Office of the Auditor General for the financial year ending June 2025 highlighted a 10-year delay in its implementation.

Appearing before Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to respond to concerns raised in the report, Rugemanshuro said several challenges affected progress, forcing RSSB to take on responsibilities beyond its initial mandate.

He cited land compensation as one of the issues that delayed the project, explaining that although such payments were not originally part of RSSB's responsibilities, the institution eventually intervened to ensure the project moved forward.

'Sometimes we had to work with other government institutions responsible for specific areas to make sure the project was completed,' Rugemanshuro said.

He told lawmakers that construction of the housing units is now 97 percent complete, while infrastructure works stand at 70 percent completion.

'The project is expected to be completed in December 2026. The houses are already at 97 percent completion, while infrastructure has reached 70 percent,' he said.

Infrastructure works include roads, water supply systems, wastewater treatment facilities and street lighting.

So far, 70 percent of the houses have already been sold, with the remaining 30 percent still available on the market.

PAC Chairperson Muhakwa Valens sought clarification on whether the reported 70 percent infrastructure completion covered all key facilities required for residents to occupy the estate, including roads, drainage systems, water facilities and lighting.

'We want to have a complete picture of this project so that we can conclude that the Batsinda issue has been resolved,' Muhakwa said.

Responding to the concerns, Rugemanshuro assured the committee that buyers would be able to move into their homes by January 2027.

'By January 2027, those who have paid for their houses should be living in them. The roads, water reservoirs, street lighting and other facilities should also be completed by then, unless an unforeseen challenge beyond our control occurs,' he said.

The homes are priced from Rwf80 million for a two-bedroom townhouse to Rwf117 million for a three-bedroom townhouse. Apartment units range from Rwf101 million to Rwf111 million.