Nyamata Genocide Memorial
At a glance
| Location | Nyamata, Bugesera District, Eastern Province |
|---|---|
| Listing | UNESCO World Heritage, 2023, with Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero |
| Building | Former Catholic church, built in 1980 |
| Managed by | Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE) |
Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Memorial sites of the Genocide: Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero1
What happened
When the genocide began in April 1994, Tutsi from Nyamata and the surrounding hills took refuge in the church. On 14 and 15 April about 10,000 of them were killed there. Around 50,000 victims from the church and the surrounding area are buried at the memorial.2
The memorial today
The church has been kept in the state it was in immediately after the killings, and UNESCO names it as one of the two parts of the listing that still bear direct traces of the massacre. UNESCO notes that the building is at risk from the natural ageing of its materials and from urban growth around it. Survivors’ testimonies collected at the site are part of the record kept by the memorial.1
Visiting
Visitors are asked to dress and behave respectfully and to follow the rules set at each site. The national commemoration, Kwibuka, begins on 7 April each year and lasts 100 days.1
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Nyamata Genocide Memorial?
In the former Catholic church of Nyamata, in Bugesera District, Eastern Province.
What happened at Nyamata?
About 10,000 people who had sought refuge in the church were killed on 14 and 15 April 1994, during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
How many victims are buried there?
Around 50,000 victims from the church and the surrounding area.
How should visitors behave?
Visitors are asked to dress and behave respectfully and to follow the rules set at the site.
Sources
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Memorial sites of the Genocide: Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero
- UNESCO: Kwibuka, Rwanda 1994, remembering the genocide against the Tutsi (photo essay)
Figures checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestRwanda.com for general information. Figures come from the sources listed.
