The History of Rwanda
Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| Before 1890s | A centralised monarchy under kings from one clan, ruling through cattle, land and military chiefs |
| 1890s to 1916 | Part of German East Africa |
| 1916 to 1962 | Under Belgian rule: a League of Nations mandate and then a UN trust territory, Ruanda-Urundi |
| 1959 | Tutsi are targeted: thousands are killed and many more forced into exile |
| 28 January 1961 | The monarchy is abolished and a republic declared |
| 1 July 1962 | Independence, with Grégoire Kayibanda as the first president |
| July 1973 | Juvénal Habyarimana takes power in a coup: the Second Republic |
| 1 October 1990 | The Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF) launches its armed liberation struggle |
| August 1993 | The Arusha peace agreement is signed |
| 7 April to July 1994 | The genocide against the Tutsi |
| 4 July 1994 | Kigali falls to the RPA; a Government of National Unity is formed |
| 2003 | The Constitution of 4 June 2003, revised by referendum in 2015 |
| 2007 and 2009 | Rwanda joins the East African Community and the Commonwealth |
Source: Government of Rwanda: About Rwanda, history; Encyclopaedia Britannica: History of Rwanda; East African Community: Republic of Rwanda; The Commonwealth: Rwanda; Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 2003 revised in 20151,2,4,5,10
The kingdom and colonial rule
The Government of Rwanda describes the old kingdom as a centralised monarchy in which Hutu, Tutsi and Twa lived together under the king. Rwanda became part of German East Africa in the 1890s and, after the First World War, was administered by Belgium with Burundi as Ruanda-Urundi until 1962.1,2
From 1959 Tutsi were targeted, and many fled to neighbouring countries. The First Republic under Grégoire Kayibanda and the Second Republic under Juvénal Habyarimana made discrimination against Tutsi official policy.1
The 1994 genocide against the Tutsi
The genocide against the Tutsi began on 7 April 1994 and lasted about 100 days. More than one million people were killed. It ended when the RPF defeated the genocidal regime; Kigali fell on 4 July 1994, now Liberation Day.1,2,6
Every year Rwanda remembers the victims during Kwibuka, meaning "remember": a 100-day period of commemoration that starts on 7 April, Genocide against the Tutsi Memorial Day. The first week is a national week of mourning.6,7
The memorials, such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial, are places of remembrance and burial. Visitors are welcome; dress and behave as you would at a cemetery, and ask before taking photographs.
Rebuilding since 1994
The Government of National Unity was led first by President Pasteur Bizimungu. Paul Kagame became President in 2000 and was elected in 2003, 2010, 2017 and 2024. The 2024 election gave him 99.18% of the votes, and he was sworn in on 11 August 2024 for five years.1,8,9
The government draws on Rwandan tradition for what it calls home-grown solutions: Umuganda (community work), Imihigo (performance contracts), the Gacaca community courts that tried genocide cases, and Abunzi mediation committees.1
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Rwanda become independent?
On 1 July 1962. Before that it was administered by Belgium with Burundi as Ruanda-Urundi.
When did the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi take place?
It began on 7 April 1994 and lasted about 100 days. More than one million people were killed.
What is Liberation Day?
4 July, the day Kigali fell to the RPA in 1994.
What is Kwibuka?
The yearly remembrance of the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
Sources
- Government of Rwanda: About Rwanda, history
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: History of Rwanda
- Université Paris 1: From war to genocide, the official 2002 count of victims (PDF)
- East African Community: Republic of Rwanda
- The Commonwealth: Rwanda
- Kwibuka: Remember
- US International Trade Administration: Rwanda business travel
- African Union: Report on elections in Africa, second half of 2024 (PDF)
- Embassy of Rwanda in Ghana: President Kagame sworn in for a five-year term
- Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 2003 revised in 2015 (PDF)
Facts checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestRwanda.com for general information.
