Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a UPI (Unique Parcel Identifier)?

UPI is a unique code that identifies every land parcel in Rwanda. It's like a digital address for land that appears on all official land documents. The UPI format is X/XX/XX/XX/XXXX where the parts represent: Province code (1-2 digits), District code (2 digits), Sector code (2 digits), Cell code (2 digits), and Unique parcel number (1-5 digits). Example: 1/04/05/06/12345

Q: How do I search for land information on UPI Rwanda?

Searching is simple: 1) Enter the UPI in the search bar at the top of the homepage in the format X/XX/XX/XX/XXXX, 2) Click the search button or press Enter, 3) View comprehensive results including ownership details, location maps, and zoning regulations. All searches are free and require no account registration.

Q: Is UPI Rwanda free to use?

Yes, absolutely! UPI Rwanda is completely free to use. There are no charges, no subscription fees, and no hidden costs. Unlike some alternatives like the USSD service (*651#) which charges 65 Rwf per query, UPI Rwanda provides unlimited searches at no cost.

Q: What information can I find using UPI Rwanda?

UPI Rwanda provides comprehensive land information including: Plot size (square meters), Current land use, Right type (Leasehold/Freehold), Remaining lease term, Location (Province, District, Sector, Cell, Village), GPS coordinates and interactive maps, Owner names and details, Company representatives, Planned land uses, Zoning regulations, Master plan designation, and Legal status (mortgage, restrictions).

Q: Is the data on UPI Rwanda reliable and accurate?

Yes, the data is highly reliable. UPI Rwanda retrieves information directly from official government sources including Kubaka BPMIS (Building Permit Management System at kubaka.gov.rw), LAIS (Land Administration Information System at amakuru.lands.rw), and the National Land Centre (geodata.rw). The platform acts as a user-friendly interface to access this official data.

Q: What are land use zoning codes in Rwanda?

Zoning codes define what activities are permitted on a specific piece of land. Rwanda has over 50 different zoning classifications including: R1-R4 (Residential), C1-C4 (Commercial), I1-I3 (Industrial), A1-A2 (Agriculture), W1-W5 (Wetlands), F1-F6 (Forest), and others. Each zone has specific regulations for permitted, prohibited, and conditional uses.

Q: How is UPI Rwanda different from other land information systems?

UPI Rwanda offers several advantages: It's completely free (unlike USSD *651# which costs 65 Rwf), requires no account registration (unlike amakuru.lands.rw), searches using UPI only (no need for owner ID), provides interactive Google Maps, includes detailed zoning information, is fully mobile responsive, works on all networks, and maintains 99.9% uptime with modern cloud infrastructure.

Q: Who should use UPI Rwanda?

UPI Rwanda is designed for: Property owners checking their land, Property buyers verifying details, Real estate agents and developers, Land commissioners, Engineers and architects, Land surveyors and topographers, Urban planners, Notaries and lawyers, Banks and financial institutions, Academic researchers, Government officials, NGOs and development partners, and anyone needing land information in Rwanda.

Q: Can I use UPI Rwanda on my mobile phone?

Yes! UPI Rwanda is fully optimized for mobile devices and works seamlessly on smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers. The platform includes Progressive Web App (PWA) features, meaning you can add it to your home screen for quick access, use it offline with cached data, and enjoy an app-like experience without downloading from app stores.

Question 1

What is UPI Rwanda (upi.rw)?

Answer

UPI Rwanda (upi.rw) is a modern web application that allows you to search and access comprehensive land parcel information in Rwanda using Unique Parcel Identifiers (UPI).

Developed by MapMind Lab, a geospatial and urban planning organization founded by Ernest RUZINDANA, the platform provides fast, reliable, and free access to official land registry data.

Question 2

What is a UPI (Unique Parcel Identifier)?

Question 3

How do I search for land information?

Question 4

Is UPI Rwanda free to use?

Question 5

What information can I find using UPI Rwanda?

Question 6

Is the data on UPI Rwanda reliable and accurate?

Question 7

What are land use zoning codes?

Question 8

What does 'Plot Under Mortgage' or 'Under Restriction' mean?

Question 9

How is UPI Rwanda different from other land information systems?

Question 10

Who should use UPI Rwanda?

Question 11

Can I use UPI Rwanda on my mobile phone?

Question 12

Is my search history saved or tracked?

Question 13

What browsers and devices are supported?

Question 14

How often is the data updated?

Question 15

Why can't I find information for a specific UPI?

Question 16

What if I find incorrect information?

Question 17

Why is the map not showing for my parcel?

Question 18

I'm getting a 'Network Error' or 'Server Error'. What should I do?