GASABO- One of the popular Kigali nightspots, Papyrus, has been ordered to close down.

Located in the Kimihurura surburb, Papyrus was ordered to shut down by Gasabo District authorities in part due to noise complaints and lack of ample parking space in the largely upscale residential area.

Gasabo Mayor, Willy Ndizeye, told The New Times: "The pub is on the roadside, with no parking, and its customers’ cars block residents. This is against the district’s rules and could not be tolerated”.

The Mayor added that the owner of the restaurant was cautioned on several occasions before the decision was reached.

The authorities, however, gave the proprietor the alternative of serving only food and soft drinks, which the mayor said, do not attract as many clients. 

When contacted, Papyrus proprietor, Serge Nsanawe, said he will only give details once negotiations with the district are complete.

"I will tell you more on the issue, perhaps next week, because we are still negotiating with the district to see if they can let us reopen,” Nsanawe said.

He, however, decried the weight of the resolution saying that the district did not give him adequate time to prepare for the changes.

The Mayor added that the district would not hesitate to close down all other businesses that do not comply with its hygiene and security demands.

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