KIGALI - The Kigali Central Prison, commonly known as ‘1930’, will, this year, relocate to Butamwa, Nyarugenge District, to pave way for development of the land where it is currently located.

The Minister of Internal Security, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harelimana, yesterday said that the relocation, which was supposed to take place last year but was delayed due to some irregularities.

"Officials who were in charge of supervising the project were involved in corrupt activities and had to be replaced with another team, which cost us time and money,”  he said.

The new site covers 50 hectors and according to the minister, the expropriation of residents from this area cost over Rwf 220m. The new facility will also accommodate inmates from Remera Prison in Kimironko.

Construction of the new prison that is estimated at Rwf 2bn will be carried out in two phases; the first phase will be to construct a section to accommodate inmates from 1930, and the second phase will cater for prisoners from Remera.

"The new prison, by all means, has to be completed before the last quarter of this year,” the Minister assured.

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