A well planned alarm system in Kigali tells you the moment someone opens a door, breaks a window or moves through a room they should not be in. Kigali Security arranges supply and installation of intruder alarms through vetted installers for houses, apartments, shops, pharmacies, offices and warehouses. We start with a site survey, then send a written quote listing every sensor, siren and module.
Cameras record. Fences slow people down. Alarms react. That speed is why an alarm is often the best value layer of protection for a home where the family is away during the day, or for a shop that is closed at night.
What an alarm system includes
- Control panel: the brain of the system, usually placed out of sight with a backup battery.
- Keypad or app: to arm and disarm with a code, a key fob or your phone.
- Door and window contacts: magnetic sensors that trigger when a door or window opens.
- Motion sensors (PIR): detect movement in rooms and corridors; pet-tolerant versions are available.
- Glass-break and vibration sensors: for shopfronts, display windows and safes.
- Panic buttons: fixed or wearable, for night time emergencies or at a shop till.
- Sirens: an indoor siren and a weatherproof outdoor siren with a strobe.
- Communication module: WiFi, Ethernet or 4G/GSM so alerts reach your phone even if the internet is down.
Choosing sensors for your property
| Area | Recommended sensor | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Main and kitchen doors | Magnetic contact | Triggers before anyone is inside |
| Ground floor windows | Contact or glass-break sensor | Covers the most common entry points |
| Living room and corridors | Motion sensor (PIR) | Catches movement if a door is bypassed |
| Master bedroom | Panic button | Calls for help without reaching a phone |
| Shopfront | Glass-break and vibration sensors | Detects attacks on glass and shutters |
| Stockroom or office safe | Motion and vibration sensors | Protects high-value items |
| Gate and boundary | Link to the electric fence energiser | Fence faults raise the alarm |
Wired versus wireless alarms
Wired alarms connect each sensor to the panel with cable. They are very reliable and suit new construction, when cable can go into conduit before plastering. Wireless alarms use battery powered sensors that talk to the panel by radio. They install quickly in finished homes and rented apartments with little drilling, which is popular in areas such as Kacyiru, Kimihurura and Kibagabaga where many people rent. Hybrid panels accept both.
Arming modes and daily use
A good alarm fits how you live. Most panels support:
- Away mode: all sensors active when everyone is out.
- Stay or night mode: perimeter doors and windows active, bedroom areas off, so you can move around at night.
- Partial zones: arm only the shop floor, stockroom or one wing of a house.
- User codes: separate codes for family members, house staff and cleaners, with a log of who armed or disarmed.
During the survey, tell the installer your routine, including when house staff arrive and leave, so the zones make sense from day one.
Who responds to an alarm?
An alarm is only useful if someone acts on it. Common options in Kigali:
- You and your family receive app alerts or SMS and decide what to do.
- Your guard on site hears the siren or receives an alert.
- A licensed private security company: in Rwanda, private security companies are licensed and supervised by Rwanda National Police under Law No. 16bis/2020. A June 2025 police article reported 15 licensed companies and more than 75 cooperatives in the sector.
- Police: in an emergency, call 112.
Our home security guide for Kigali explains how guards, alarms and cameras fit together.
Installation and power
Alarm panels need a permanent power supply. The electrical connection should be made by a person holding an electrical installation permit from the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA). The panel's own battery covers short outages; for longer ones, connect the panel and sirens to an inverter or solar backup system. If the alarm sends alerts over the home internet, the router needs backup power too, or add a 4G module.
Linking alarms with cameras and access control
Modern systems can work together. An alarm trigger can tell the CCTV system to start recording at high quality and send you a clip. A fingerprint or card reader on the office door can disarm the alarm for authorised staff. Planning these links at the start costs less than adding them later.
Maintenance checklist
- Test the alarm monthly using the panel's test mode.
- Replace wireless sensor batteries when the app warns you.
- Check the panel's backup battery every year or two.
- Update user codes when house staff or employees change.
- Keep plants and curtains from blocking motion sensors.
What affects the price
The cost depends on the number and type of sensors, wired or wireless technology, panel brand and features, communication module, number of sirens, integration with other systems and backup power. We do not publish fixed prices, as equipment costs change with supply and exchange rates. Contact us for a current quote.
Book an alarm survey
Fill in the form below with your name, phone or WhatsApp number, property type and location, and choose "Alarm system" under services. Mention pets, house staff routines or high-value areas in the message. An installer will visit, map the entry points and send an itemised quote.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an alarm and CCTV?
An alarm detects an intrusion and alerts you immediately with a siren and a phone notification. CCTV records what happens so you can see and review it. Alarms are about fast reaction, cameras about evidence. Many properties in Kigali combine both.
Wired or wireless alarm: which should I choose?
Wired alarms suit new builds and renovations where cable can be hidden, and they have no sensor batteries to replace. Wireless alarms install faster in finished homes and apartments, but sensor batteries need replacing. The survey looks at your walls and layout.
Will pets set off the alarm?
They can, with standard motion sensors. Pet-tolerant sensors are designed to ignore smaller animals, and careful placement helps. Tell the installer about dogs or cats during the survey so the right sensors and positions are chosen for your home.
Who responds when the alarm goes off?
At minimum, the siren sounds and the system alerts the phone numbers you choose. Some clients link the alarm to their guard or to a private security company licensed by Rwanda National Police. In an emergency, call the police on 112.
Does the alarm work during a power cut?
Alarm panels include a backup battery that keeps the system working for a period after mains power fails. For long outages, connect the panel to an inverter or solar backup. A 4G or GSM module keeps alerts working if the home internet goes down.
Can I control the alarm from my phone?
Most modern alarm panels connect to an app, so you can arm and disarm, see which sensor triggered and receive notifications. Some also send SMS or make calls. The installer sets up the app and user codes for each family member at handover.
How much does an alarm system cost in Kigali?
The cost depends on the number of sensors, wired or wireless technology, panel brand, communication module, sirens and backup. We do not publish fixed prices because equipment costs change with supply. Contact us for a current quote after the survey.