The Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) announced on October 12, 2026, that the Bugesera Prison has been closed and its inmates relocated to other prisons. This decision was made to improve the living conditions of inmates and to modernize the prison system. The closure of the Bugesera Prison is part of a larger plan to relocate prisons located in urban areas, including Musanze, Muhanga, Ngoma, Huye, and Bugesera, due to the construction of the Kigali International Airport.
According to the RCS, the inmates from Bugesera Prison have been relocated to other prisons, and arrangements have been made for them to maintain communication with their families. The RCS has also assured that the inmates will be able to receive visitors at their new locations. The closure of the Bugesera Prison is expected to improve the living conditions of inmates and provide better facilities for rehabilitation.
The decision to close the Bugesera Prison was announced by the Minister of State for National Security, Dr. Vincent Biruta, on March 13, 2026. Dr. Biruta stated that the prison was closed due to its inability to meet the basic requirements for inmate rehabilitation and its proximity to the Kigali International Airport. The minister also announced plans to build modern and secure prisons that will provide better living conditions for inmates.
The closure of the Bugesera Prison is part of a larger effort to modernize the prison system in Rwanda. According to the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), the prison population in Rwanda has been increasing, with a occupancy rate of 97.7% as of 2026. The NCHR also reported that the prison population had reached 110% in 2024/2025, highlighting the need for modern and secure prisons.
The government has assured that the relocation of prisons will be carried out in a planned and systematic manner. Dr. Biruta stated that the new prisons will be built with modern facilities and will provide better living conditions for inmates. The government has also announced plans to provide rehabilitation programs for inmates to help them reintegrate into society upon release.
The Rwanda Correctional Service has assured that the closure of the Bugesera Prison will not disrupt the rehabilitation programs for inmates. The RCS has also announced plans to provide counseling and support services to inmates during the relocation process. The closure of the Bugesera Prison is expected to improve the overall prison system in Rwanda and provide better facilities for inmates.
The government has urged the public to support the efforts to modernize the prison system. The Minister of State for National Security, Dr. Vincent Biruta, has appealed to the public to cooperate with the government in its efforts to improve the prison system. The closure of the Bugesera Prison is a significant step towards achieving this goal.
Key points
- The Bugesera Prison has been closed and its inmates relocated to other prisons as part of a larger plan to modernize the prison system in Rwanda.
- The closure of the Bugesera Prison is expected to improve the living conditions of inmates and provide better facilities for rehabilitation.
- The government has assured that the relocation of prisons will be carried out in a planned and systematic manner, with a focus on providing modern and secure prisons.
