The City of Kigali has officially rolled out dedicated bus lanes to fight traffic jams and early results are already turning heads as congestion had reduced.
Launched on April 24, 2026, the new system covers four major routes across Kigali, with strict enforcement during peak hours (6am–10am and 5pm–9pm). The right-hand lane is now reserved strictly for buses and high-occupancy vehicles carrying at least eight passengers.
And it’s already paying off.
Officials say buses are now departing every five minutes instead of ten, cutting waiting time in half and making public transport way more efficient. Videos circulating online show smoother traffic flow, with motorists largely complying as traffic police closely guide the rollout.
The city is also introducing 20 new electric buses immediately, with plans to scale up to 190 by the end of the year. The move is part of a bigger push towards cleaner, greener, and more organized urban mobility.
All of this falls under Kigali’s aggressive anti-traffic campaign, #TurindaneJam, which is quickly becoming a model for how African cities can tackle congestion without chaos.
If the early momentum holds, Kigali might just be setting the pace for the rest of the region—including Kampala.
Today marks the 4th day of bus lanes in #Kigali.
Buses are moving faster, and the city is flowing better for everyone. This is a modern, organised, people-centred Kigali.
And this is only the beginning. More bus lanes and better public transport are on the way.
📌 PLEASE NOTE:… pic.twitter.com/lx9Axjt1os
— Emma Claudine (@EmmaClaudine) April 27, 2026
