On the evening of March 4, 2025, Lucerna Kabgayi Hotel, owned by the Kabgayi Diocese, officially celebrated its newly acquired three-star status, granted by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) on February 18, 2025.
This milestone establishes Lucerna as one of the highest-rated hotels in Muhanga District, marking a significant achievement in the region’s hospitality sector.
The prestigious event attracted key dignitaries, including Bishop Balthazar Ntivuguruzwa of the Kabgayi Diocese, Governor Alice Kayitesi of the Southern Province, Mugabo Gilbert, Vice Mayor for Social Affairs in Muhanga District, and Father Prof. Dushimimana Fidele, Vice Chancellor of ICK, among others.
Bishop Balthazar Ntivuguruzwa expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to this accomplishment and outlined the Diocese’s vision for further advancements.
“We know that three stars are not the ultimate goal, and we are determined to go beyond this. Our ambition is to continue upgrading until we achieve four-star status. Currently, there is no hotel above three stars in Muhanga, so we must keep improving,” he told ICK News.
He further emphasized the Diocese’s broader commitment to national development, stating, “We will continue supporting the country’s growth by developing high-standard facilities. Given the increasing demand for tourism services, we plan to enhance other diocesan hotels, such as Saint Andre Hotel, to better serve the city’s needs.”
Governor Alice Kayitesi lauded Lucerna’s achievement but stressed the importance of upholding high service standards and hygiene.
“Receiving three stars is an accomplishment, but maintaining the quality of service is equally important. Guests should receive timely, excellent service, and hygiene must be a top priority,” she remarked.
She also encouraged Lucerna to aspire for higher recognition. “Muhanga is strategically located near Kigali and continues to grow. We celebrate this success, but we hope Lucerna will push forward to reach four stars and beyond. This will position the city as a hub for international conferences.”
To facilitate such progress, the Governor urged collaboration among investors and assured them of government support.
“We encourage investors to unite their efforts in establishing high-standard hotels. The government is ready to assist in this endeavor,” she affirmed.
Residents of Muhanga welcomed Lucerna’s progress but highlighted the need for additional hotels to accommodate the city’s increasing influx of visitors.
Mbabazi Francois Xavier, Secretary General of Ingabo Syndicates and a frequent guest at Lucerna, commended the hotel’s growing reputation.
“We are highly satisfied with their services, and as a client, I’m pleased to see them progressing. The three-star rating is well deserved,” he said.
However, local resident Baptiste Mugunga emphasized the ongoing demand for more accommodation facilities.
“This is a positive step for Lucerna, but given the growing number of visitors to Muhanga, it’s still not enough. During major events like the Tour du Rwanda, securing quality accommodation remains a challenge. I encourage investors to consider building more hotels,” he noted.
Similarly, Isae Bazarufa echoed this sentiment, pointing out the gap in hospitality infrastructure.
“Muhanga City is expanding, and the demand for hotels is increasing. Many people visit Kabgayi, yet we still lack sufficient high-capacity hotels. This achievement by Lucerna should inspire other investors to develop more accommodations in the area,” he said.
Currently, the Southern Province has only two four-star hotels, both located in Huye District. However, plans are underway for the construction of a five-star hotel that will cater to the districts of Muhanga, Kamonyi, and Ruhango.
