The Rubavu Modern Market in western Rwanda, has stood unfinished for 15 years, delayed by disputes and accusations of mismanagement, poor planning and questionable financial practices.

Now, with promises by Rubavu District Mayor Mulindwa Prosper that the market will finally open in July 2025, the community and traders hope the long-anticipated new development will draw enough customers to make up the losses.

The market was launched in 2010 with a budget of Rwf 1.5 billion (US $1.1 million). While total costs of the building after 15 years are not yet fully clear, some estimates put the figure around Rwf 6 billion (US $4.1 million), according to two district officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak.

“The market has been under construction for so many years,” said trader, Murorunkwere Brigitte, as she wrapped freshly-caught isambaza from Lake Kivu. “Every time we were promised completion, it was delayed,” she added.

“We’ve suffered financial losses, but when it’s finally completed, we believe it will reduce losses as there will be more customers,” said Brigitte, a woman in her 40’s.

In the years since its launch, construction on the market was halted three times over allegations that building codes were violated. With each interruption, costs escalated because some structures had to be demolished and then rebuilt.

The delays caused friction between local private investors and Rubavu District officials over why building was allowed to proceed without proper approvals.

Big Expectations

The four-storey market was meant to be Rwanda’s largest and a key trading hub for cross-border trade with Goma, the nearby DRC border town, and Rubavu, on the banks of Lake Kivu.

The old market, built in 1989, became too cluttered as the number of traders grew and business flourished. It was built near the bus terminal making it easier for customers to do their shopping and for traders to transport their goods. Soon after construction began, the district ran out of funding and looked to the private sector for help, but no one was willing to take over the project.

Bahame Hassan, Rubavu’s former mayor, said the idea for a new market originated from private investors who wanted to see the region grow. “While other regions were building hotels with support from the Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA), private investors in Rubavu wanted to build a market that would expand cross-border trade,” Hassan explained.

Hassan and other district officials resigned in 2015 following allegations of mismanagement.

”There was a mistake in giving the contract to a contractor without proper payment,” Hassan said in an interview with Isango Star. “It became evident that the market had been handed to the contractor without payment, and lawsuits followed, shedding light on what had transpired,” he said.

In 2017, the Musanze Intermediate Court sentenced Kalisa Christophe, a former Rubavu District executive secretary, to one year in prison for allocating property that did not belong to him, according to court documents reviewed by Isango Star.

 A 2020 report by the Office of the Auditor General expressed frustration with the stalled project. “The district has spent Rwf 1.09 billion on its construction so far but has gotten no value from its investment thus far,” the report said. “Additionally, the infrastructure will deteriorate and incur enormous costs to complete,” it added.

Earthquakes, Legal battles

When the Rubavu Investment Company Ltd, or RICO, took over management of the market in 2021, construction was halted by the Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA), which cited safety concerns. The building had been constructed without proper permits and an earthquake fault line was discovered just steps from the site, it said.

Authorities insisted on conducting further geological studies before construction could resume.

RICO, which had already invested Rwf 1.3 billion in the project, accused the district of failing to secure proper permits before handing over the market to them. Traders, who had been patiently waiting for a bigger, more modern market, expressed frustration over the delays. Rwandan President Paul Kagame had been expected to inaugurate the market in July 2023.

Overcrowded, chaotic conditions

Traders said the new market would help them move out of the overcrowded and poorly-designed old market, which was prone to flooding in the rainy season.

Trader, Albert Nisingizwe, said he hoped the new market would ease the chaotic conditions in Rubavu’s business district. “The disorder in the Rubavu business area is due to the lack of a completed market,” said Nisingizwe, who sells clothing at the market. “When the market is finished, traders will have space and business will improve with more products available.”

Dukuze Richard, an engineer currently working on finishing the market, said work was progressing well. “We are confident that by June 26 the market will be completed and ready for opening by July 2025,” he told Isango Star. “We have increased the number of workers to speed up the process.”

The project received support from the Thomson Reuters Foundation as part of its global work aimed at strengthening free, fair and informed societies. Any financial assistance or support provided to the journalist has no editorial influence. The content of this article belongs solely to the author and is not endorsed by or associated with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, Thomson Reuters, Reuters, nor any other affiliates.

Story by Vestine Umurerwa