The plans are part of Kigali's broader efforts to upgrade informal settlements while keeping residents connected to their existing communities.

In a post shared on X, Kigali City spokesperson Ntirenganya Emma Claudine said 793 housing units had already been built at Mpazi, with more than 500 families settled there. Another 44 units are currently under construction.

“Mpazi is not ending there: the project will continue progressively, with about 4,106 housing units planned upon completion,” she wrote in the post on Thursday.

The same approach is being implemented at Nyabisindu-Nyagatovu, where construction is underway to deliver approximately 2,029 housing units.

The city's informal settlement upgrading programme has also reached Kabuhunde Village in Kagugu Cell, Kinyinya Sector, Gasabo District, where 716 residents are expected to benefit from improved housing.

Ntirenganya said 85 households whose properties are required for the Kabuhunde project have already received rental support to ensure they have accommodation as construction progresses.

She noted that households that owned land or houses within the project area will receive and own new housing units once construction is completed, based on the assessed value of their existing properties and applicable expropriation arrangements.

She stressed that the approach is intended to improve living conditions without disconnecting residents from their communities.

“Families can remain close to their jobs and businesses. Children can continue attending familiar schools. Residents can continue using the same markets and maintain their neighbours and social networks,” she said.

The upgrading programme is expected to improve not only housing but also the surrounding infrastructure, including sanitation, roads, drainage, recreational spaces and neighbourhood organisation.

“For low- and middle-income residents, upgrading informal settlements should improve both the home and the life around it, not disconnect one from the other,” Ntirenganya stated.

She added that the approach will be progressively implemented in Kabuhunde, Mpazi, and Nyabisindu-Nyagatovu, as well as other parts of Kigali.