The Director General of the Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA), Rukaburandekwe Alphonse, recently announced a new timeline for Huye International Stadium. He confirmed that workers will finish the long-delayed renovation project within the next two months.
Mr. Rukaburandekwe shared these details on May 13, 2026, while speaking to members of Parliament. He addressed the Committee on National Budget and State Property during a review of the 2026/2027 draft budget. The renovation project has a total budget of 983.1 million Rwandan francs.
Although work should have started in March 2025, financial and logistical problems caused significant delays. The current upgrades focus on replacing the old turf with a modern synthetic surface. Additionally, engineers are rebuilding the pitch to improve water drainage during heavy rainy seasons.
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Overcoming material shortages and budget challenges
Rukaburandekwe explained that the project has already used 424.5 million Rwandan francs. This amount represents about 43% of the total funds. However, contractors have only finished about 10% of the actual physical work.
The Director General blamed these delays on the difficulty of finding the right building materials. Fortunately, he confirmed that all necessary supplies are now available at the site. He stated that “The equipment has been secured. We are confident that within two months the Huye Stadium renovation project will be completed.”
This completion is vital for local sports, as the stadium has remained unusable for several months. Once the first phase finishes, the RHA will move to the next stage of the project.
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Future plans and stadium standards in Huye District
The next phase of the project appears in the 2026/2027 budget with an allocation of 623.4 million Rwandan francs. Officials expect to finish all remaining work by June 2027. This renovation originally began in the 2022/2023 fiscal year. Initially, the government planned to finish the entire project by 2026.
After the 2024/25 Rwanda Premier League season ended, the RHA hoped to complete the work within six months. However, construction stopped, leaving the facility in poor condition. The stadium requires these changes because its old grass and weak drainage system did not meet modern football standards.
By finishing this project, the RHA aims to provide a high-quality field for both local clubs and international matches. These improvements will ensure that Huye District continues to host major sporting events in the future.
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