The stadium, which was previously an international football venue and the only stadium in Rwanda approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) during the 2022/23 season, has remained closed to competitive matches for the past 14 months after the old playing surface was removed.

The project to install a new artificial turf began in June 2025 after the previous pitch had become outdated. The old field also had drainage challenges, making it difficult for rainwater to drain effectively during heavy rains.

The works were initially scheduled to begin in February 2025 and be completed by July of the same year. However, delays in the arrival of imported materials affected the timeline, forcing the stadium to continue hosting league matches until May 28, 2025.

After being awarded the contract, Real Contractors Ltd, in partnership with Greenfields from Benin, removed the old playing surface and discovered that additional drainage works were required before installing the new turf. The contractor later requested an amendment to the agreement with the Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) to include the additional works.

The need for extra drainage infrastructure, combined with delays in the delivery of artificial turf materials, slowed down the project. RHA officials told members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament on June 25, 2026, that the delivery of materials had also been affected by unrest in Tanzania during the election period.

Construction resumes with major progress

Appearing before PAC, RHA Director General Alphonse Rukaburandekwe said the contractor had committed to completing the renovation works by August 15, 2026.

A month before the expected completion date, IGIHE visited Huye Stadium and found that significant progress had been made, with workers confirming that the project had reached 80% completion after activities resumed.

Inside the 7,900-seat stadium, the former pitch has been transformed into a major construction site. The area is currently covered with layers of crushed gravel in different sizes, while workers continue installing a modern drainage system around the field.

The ongoing works include improvements that were not part of the original Rwf1.5 billion contract signed in 2025. The additional activities were introduced to ensure the stadium meets the required standards and provides a durable playing surface.

As part of the drainage upgrade, workers have installed a waterproof layer across the entire pitch to prevent underground water from affecting the soil. This has been followed by three layers of gravel designed to filter and channel rainwater away from the field.

Special perforated pipes are also being installed beneath the pitch. These pipes are covered with protective materials that allow water to pass through while preventing sand and other debris from entering the drainage system.

The underground pipes will direct water into a 40-centimetre drainage channel surrounding the pitch, which connects to larger pipes leading to an 80-centimetre main drainage system inside the stadium. The system will carry excess water away from the field and prevent flooding.

Contractors said they expect to complete the second layer of gravel by the third week of July before installing the final layer, after which the artificial turf will be laid.

The new drainage system is expected to solve the long-standing flooding problems that affected Huye Stadium. In the past, the existing drainage channels and pipes frequently became blocked, causing rainwater to accumulate on the pitch and turning the field into what spectators described as a “swimming pool” during rainy periods.

Huye Stadium previously hosted matches involving Rwanda’s national football team, Amavubi, while Amahoro Stadium was undergoing renovation. It is also the home venue for Mukura Victory Sports and Amagaju FC, clubs competing in Rwanda’s top division, the BK Pro League.

During the 2025/26 season, both clubs were forced to use Kamena Stadium and Muhanga Stadium as their home grounds due to the ongoing renovation works at Huye Stadium.