President Kagame Consoles Musanze Residents After Goico Plaza Fire.
President Paul Kagame has sent a message of solidarity to residents of Musanze District and the wider Northern Province following a devastating fire at GOICO Plaza that destroyed large quantities of merchandise belonging to traders.
The fire broke out on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the commercial building, which housed more than 2,000 traders. The incident caused extensive damage, leaving many business owners facing significant financial losses.
Northern Province Governor Maurice Mugabowagahunde told Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) on Monday, October 12, that provincial authorities had received the President’s message of comfort and encouragement.
“We have received a message of comfort and strength from His Excellency the President of the Republic. We thank the President for consoling the people of the Northern Province,” Mugabowagahunde said.
He added that President Paul Kagame had urged residents not to lose hope, reminding them that GOICO Plaza had been built through cooperation and collective effort.
“In that message, he asked us not to be discouraged and to remember that GOICO was achieved through cooperation and collaboration, and that even more can be achieved,” the governor said.
GOICO Plaza is the largest commercial building in the Northern Province. The fire started on the upper floor and spread through much of the building, while goods on the ground floor reportedly sustained less damage than those in other sections.
Firefighters from the Rwanda National Police, members of the Rwanda Defence Force and local residents worked together to contain the blaze. The fire was brought under control on Sunday afternoon.
No deaths were reported. Two people sustained minor injuries, while 15 others experienced psychological distress following the incident. Officials said most of those affected had been discharged from hospital.
Mugabowagahunde said preliminary estimates put the value of goods destroyed at approximately Rwf30 billion, while the building itself was valued at around Rwf17 billion. The figures remain subject to further assessment.
The governor said local authorities would assess the needs of each affected trader to determine what assistance might be required, taking into account the size of their businesses and whether they had insurance.
“As local authorities, our responsibility is to listen to the traders, conduct an assessment and understand what each trader needs, whether they had substantial capital or a smaller investment, and whether their businesses were insured or uninsured,” he said.
The government has pledged support for the rehabilitation of GOICO Plaza to enable traders to resume their businesses. Authorities are also investigating the cause of the fire, which has not yet been officially established.
