The installation of a new artificial turf at Huye Stadium has reached 80% completion, with the project expected to be finalized in early August 2026, marking a major step toward the return of one of Rwanda’s most important football venues.
Once Rwanda’s only stadium approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) during the 2022/23 season, Huye Stadium has remained without football matches for the past 14 months after its old playing surface was removed for renovation.
Project Delayed by Drainage Challenges
Work to replace the stadium’s ageing natural grass pitch officially began in June 2025. The previous surface had long faced drainage problems, as its design could not effectively remove rainwater during heavy downpours, often leaving the field waterlogged.
The project itself also started four months later than initially planned. Construction had originally been scheduled to begin in February 2025 and finish in July, but the stadium continued hosting Rwanda Premier League matches until May 28, 2025, following delays in the arrival of imported construction materials.
After Real Contractors Ltd, working in partnership with Benin-based Greenfields, removed the old pitch, engineers discovered that the existing drainage system required major upgrades before the new artificial turf could be installed.
The contractor subsequently requested the Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) to amend the original Rwf1.5 billion contract to include additional drainage works, contributing to the project’s prolonged suspension.
Further delays were caused by disruptions in the transportation of imported artificial turf materials through Tanzania during the country’s election period, according to RHA officials who appeared before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on June 25, 2026.
Construction Resumes with Significant Progress
While appearing before PAC, RHA Director General Alphonse Rukaburandekwe said the authority had reached an agreement with the contractors, who committed to completing the stadium by August 15, 2026.
One month after construction resumed, IGIHE visited the stadium and found that the works had advanced considerably, with contractors confirming that the project is now 80% complete.
Instead of a football pitch, the stadium’s surface is currently covered with multiple layers of crushed gravel of different sizes, while construction teams continue excavating drainage channels around the field.
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Modern Drainage System Designed to Prevent Flooding
The upgraded project focuses heavily on solving the drainage problems that affected the previous pitch.
Engineers have installed a waterproof membrane covering the entire playing surface to prevent underground moisture from causing soil expansion beneath the field.
Above the membrane, three carefully designed layers of gravel are being laid to improve water filtration.
Perforated drainage pipes wrapped in protective filter fabric are also being installed throughout the gravel layers. The special covering allows water to flow into the pipes while preventing sand, soil and debris from blocking the drainage network.
The underground pipes will channel rainwater into a 40-centimetre-wide drainage system built around the perimeter of the pitch, which then connects to larger underground pipes leading to a main drainage channel measuring nearly 80 centimetres wide to efficiently carry water away from the stadium.
Contractors expect to complete the second gravel layer by the third week of July before installing the final layer ahead of laying the artificial turf.
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Improved Pitch Expected to Meet International Standards
The new drainage infrastructure is expected to permanently solve the flooding problems that previously affected Huye Stadium.
Under the old system, narrow drainage channels and small pipes frequently became blocked with debris, preventing rainwater from draining properly. During heavy rainfall, the pitch often became completely flooded, making matches impossible.
The upgraded design is intended to ensure the new artificial surface remains playable even during periods of heavy rain while meeting international football standards.
Home of Amavubi and Southern Province Clubs
Huye Stadium has played an important role in Rwandan football in recent years.
Between 2022 and 2025, it served as the home venue for the Amavubi national football team while Amahoro Stadium underwent major renovations.
The stadium is also the traditional home ground of Mukura Victory Sports FC and Amagaju FC, both of which compete in the BK Pro League.
During the 2025/26 season, both clubs were forced to relocate their home matches to Kamena Stadium and Muhanga Stadium while awaiting the completion of the renovation works.
With construction now approaching its final stages, Huye Stadium is expected to return to hosting domestic and international football matches later this year.
