The City of Kigali on August 10 issued a road use guide for commuters and guests ahead of the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Paul Kagame scheduled for Sunday, August 11, at Amahoro Stadium.
"The City of Kigali would like to inform the general public that due to the Inauguration Ceremony of the President of the Republic of Rwanda, scheduled for tomorrow, 11 August 2024, there will be interruptions on the following roads: Kigali International Airport - Giporoso - Chez Lando - BK Arena - RDB - KCC - Sopetrade - Payage - KCEV, and KABS – MINAGRI,” a notice issued by the City of Kigali reads in part.
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Speaking to The New Times, the Spokesperson of Rwanda National Police, ACP Boniface Rutikanga, said that police officers will be stationed at all road junctions to direct traffic flow.
He said that there will be busy roads with frequent traffic interruptions for commuters to allow smooth movement of officials or delegates as they come to attend the Presidential Inauguration ceremony.
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In some hours, it is expected that a part of the road from Prince House passing in front of CSS bank to the stadium may be busy in case an official comes directly from the airport to the stadium.
"Those roads may be busy during some hours, but after leaders have passed, others [local commuters] can be given the green light to move and continue their programmes until another official is about to come and they are asked to be patient again and give space to guests,” he said.
"It’s a Rwandan culture that when a guest comes, he or she is given priority in line with welcoming him or her,” he said.
Alternative roads for commuters
According to the City of Kigali, commuters are urged to use the following alternative routes:
1. Kanombe Military - Mu Itunda - Kabeza - Niboye - Sonatube - Rwandex - Kanogo - Kinamba - Nyabugogo City Center
2. Road 12 - Kigali Parents School - BK Kimironko - Kibagabaga - Akabuga ka Nyarutarama – Kinamba - Nyabugogo/City Centre.
3. Gahanga - Kicukiro - Gatenga - Rwandex - Kanogo - Kinamba - Nyabugogo/City Centre.
Regarding alternative roads, Rutikanga said that people from the eastern and northern parts of Kigali, who want to go to the city centre can use roads such as Kigali Parents, Kimironko, Kibagabaga, Kabuga ka Nyarutarama, Utexrwa, Kinamba-Kacyiru, and ascend to Yamaha, Apacope, and then enter the city centre to go about their activities, and use the same routes on their way back.
People can also go through Kanombe, Busanza, Niboye, Kicukiro, Gatenga, Rwandex, Gikondo, Nyamirambo, to get to the city centre, he added.
Commuters from the south-western part of the city can use part of the road from Bugesera, to Gahanga (Kicukiro), Gatenga, Rwandex, Gikondo, and to Nyamirambo, or through Kiyovu at Cercle Sportif and head to the city centre, Rutikanga pointed out.