Kigeli V Ndahindurwa
At a glance
| Born | Jean-Baptiste Ndahindurwa, 29 June 1936, Kamembe |
|---|---|
| Died | 16 October 2016, Oakton, Virginia, United States |
| Reign | From 28 July 1959 |
| Father | King Yuhi V Musinga |
| Predecessor | His half-brother, King Mutara III Rudahigwa |
Source: Wikipedia: Kigeli V Ndahindurwa1
Early life
Ndahindurwa was born on 29 June 1936 in Kamembe, a son of King Yuhi V Musinga, whom the Belgian administration had deposed. He was baptised a Catholic as a teenager, taking the name Jean-Baptiste, and studied at the Groupe Scolaire Astrida in Butare and at Nyangezi College in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. From 1956 to 1959 he worked in local government.1
King
His half-brother King Mutara III Rudahigwa died suddenly on 25 July 1959, and on 28 July Ndahindurwa was proclaimed King Kigeli V. Violence grew in the months that followed, and in 1960 he left for Congo. The monarchy was overthrown in January 1961, and a referendum in September 1961 voted to abolish it. Rwanda became an independent republic on 1 July 1962.1
Exile
Kigeli V lived in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya before receiving political asylum in the United States in 1992. He settled in Oakton, Virginia, where he led the King Kigeli V Foundation, which supported humanitarian work for Rwandan refugees. He died on 16 October 2016.1
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Kigeli V Ndahindurwa?
The last ruling King (Mwami) of Rwanda. He came to the throne in 1959.
When was the monarchy abolished?
It was overthrown in January 1961, and a referendum in September 1961 voted to abolish it.
Where did he die?
In exile in the United States, in 2016.
Sources
Facts checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestRwanda.com for general information.
