Kigali facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kigali
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 .jpg) _(17260558545).jpg)   Top: Panoramic view of Kigali; Middle: Kigali Convention Center, Kigali CBD; Bottom: Gorilla monument and Kigali City Council, Sainte-Famille Church
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 Kigali
Location in Rwanda
Kigali
Location in Africa
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| Country |  Rwanda |
| Province | Kigali |
| Founded | 1907 |
| Area | |
| • Capital city | 730 km2 (280 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,567 m (5,141 ft) |
| Population
(2022 census)
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| • Capital city | 1,745,555 |
| • Density | 2,391/km2 (6,190/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 1,518,632 (87%) |
| • Rural | 226,923 (13%) |
| • Male | 888,882 (50.92%) |
| • Female | 856,673 (49.08%) |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 (Central Africa Time) |
| • Summer (DST) | (Not Observed) |
| Districts
1. Gasabo 2. Kicukiro 3. Nyarugenge |
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| HDI (2021) | 0.699 medium · 1st of 5 |
Kigali (Kinyarwanda pronunciation: [ci.ɡɑ́.ɾi]) is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is located near the country's center, surrounded by rolling hills, valleys, and steep slopes. Kigali is a relatively new city. It has been Rwanda's main center for business, culture, and transportation since it was founded in 1907. It became the country's capital when Rwanda gained independence in 1962.
The city was founded in 1907 by Richard Kandt, a German colonial official. He chose the spot for its central location, good views, and security. Foreign traders soon started doing business there. Kigali grew slowly over the next few decades. In 1994, a terrible event known as the Rwandan genocide happened. Many people lost their lives. After this, Kigali grew very quickly. Much of the city was rebuilt.
Today, Kigali is one of Rwanda's five provinces. It is divided into three districts: Gasabo, Kicukiro, and Nyarugenge. The city is home to the president of Rwanda and most government offices. The biggest part of Kigali's economy is the service sector, like shops and hotels. Many people also work in farming. The city wants to attract more international visitors for tourism and conferences.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Kigali comes from the Kinyarwanda language. It combines the prefix ki- with the word -gali, which means wide or broad. This name was first used for Mount Kigali, probably because the mountain is wide. The city was later named after this mountain.
An old Rwandan story says the name started in the 14th century. A king named Cyilima I Rugwe conquered the area. He looked out from a hill and said, "this country is vast."
Kigali's Past
Early Times
The first people in what is now Rwanda were the Twa. They were hunter-gatherers who lived here thousands of years ago. Later, Bantu groups, including the Hutu and Tutsi, arrived and started farming. The Kingdom of Rwanda began in the 14th century near Lake Muhazi, east of modern Kigali. At first, Kigali was a small part of this kingdom.
Over time, the Rwandan kingdom grew stronger. A new dynasty of kings in the 17th century helped Rwanda become the main power in the area. The capital of the kingdom was in Nyanza, in the south.
Colonial Rule
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Kigali was officially founded in 1907. This was when German explorer Richard Kandt made it his headquarters. Germany had been given control of Rwanda and Burundi in 1884. Kandt chose Kigali because it was central and offered good views and security. His house was the first European-style building in the city. Today, it is the Kandt House Museum of Natural History.
In 1916, Belgian forces took control of Rwanda during World War I. They were given power over the area by the League of Nations in 1922. Kigali remained an important administrative center. However, the main capital for the whole region was Usumbura (now Bujumbura) in Burundi. Kigali stayed a small city, with about 6,000 people by 1962.
After Independence
When Rwanda became independent in 1962, Kigali was chosen as the new capital. It grew steadily over the next decades. By 1991, its population was around 250,000.
In April 1994, Rwanda's president was killed when his plane was shot down near Kigali. This event led to the terrible Rwandan genocide. During this time, many people across the country lost their lives. The Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) fought to stop the violence. They took control of Kigali on July 4, 1994. This day is now celebrated as Liberation Day.
Since the genocide, Kigali has grown very fast. Many damaged buildings were removed, and the city was rebuilt. Modern offices and new buildings now stand across the city. Kigali aims to be a modern city by 2040.
Kigali's Location and Landscape
Kigali is right in the middle of Rwanda. It is part of the Kigali province, one of Rwanda's five provinces. The city is bordered by the Northern, Eastern, and Southern provinces. It is divided into three districts: Nyarugenge, Kicukiro, and Gasabo.
Kigali is known for its rolling hills, valleys, and steep slopes. It sits between Mount Kigali and Mount Jali. Both mountains are over 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) high. The lowest parts of the city are about 1,300 meters (4,300 feet) high.
The Nyabarongo River, which is part of the Nile's upper waters, forms the western and southern edges of Kigali. The Nyabugogo River flows through the city, feeding into the Nyabarongo. These rivers have important wetlands nearby. These wetlands help store water and protect the city from floods. The "Umusambi Village" is a restored wetland that helps protect grey crowned cranes.
City Areas
Kigali's main business area, called the CBD, is on Nyarugenge Hill. This is where Richard Kandt first founded the city in 1907. Many of Rwanda's tallest buildings, like the 20-story Kigali City Tower, are in the CBD. Major banks and businesses also have their headquarters here. You can also find hotels like the Serena and Marriott, and government buildings.
Southwest of the CBD is Nyamirambo. This area was built in the 1920s for government workers and traders. Many of these traders were Muslim, so Nyamirambo became known as the "Muslim Quarter." Its Green Mosque is the oldest in Kigali, built in the 1930s. Nyamirambo is known for its lively nightlife.
Nyabugogo is north of Nyamirambo, in a valley. It's home to Kigali's main bus station. From here, you can travel to many places in Rwanda and other countries.
East of the CBD are many other suburbs. Kiyovu is close by, with large houses and nice restaurants. The Rwandan president's home is in this area. Other eastern suburbs include Kacyiru, where most government offices are. Gisozi is home to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Nyarutarama has the city's only golf course. Kigali International Airport is located in Remera and Kanombe, about 10 km (6 miles) from the CBD. Kigali is often called the "cleanest city in Africa."
Weather in Kigali
Kigali has a tropical savanna climate. This means it's generally warm all year round. Temperatures usually range between 15°C and 27°C (59°F and 81°F).
There are two rainy seasons each year: from February to June and from September to December. The main dry season is from June to September, when there's often no rain. A shorter, less severe dry season is from December to February. April is usually the wettest month.
People of Kigali
In 2012, Kigali had a population of about 1.13 million people. Most of them lived in urban areas. When Rwanda became independent in 1962, Kigali only had 6,000 people. It grew a lot after becoming the capital. After the 1994 genocide, many people moved to Kigali, and the city grew even faster.
More than half of Kigali's residents are male. The population is also very young, with most people under 30 years old. This is because many young people move to the city for work. Kigali has a lower poverty rate than the rest of Rwanda.
The main religion in Kigali, like in Rwanda, is Christianity. Many people are Protestant or Catholic. Islam is also more common in Kigali than in other parts of Rwanda.
Kigali's Economy
Kigali is Rwanda's main business and financial center. It's the biggest place for trade and business in the country. Experts estimate that Kigali produces a large part of Rwanda's total economic output.
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The biggest part of Kigali's economy is the service sector. This includes things like shops, hotels, transportation, and real estate. The city wants to attract more international visitors for tourism, conferences, and exhibitions. Kigali is a key starting point for tourists visiting Rwanda's national parks and seeing mountain gorillas. It also has its own attractions, like the Kigali Genocide Memorial. New places like the Kigali Convention Centre have helped bring big events to the city.
Farming is the largest job sector in Kigali, with many people working in agriculture. Most farming is done on small plots for families to feed themselves. However, there are also larger, modern farms. Other major jobs in the city include government work, transportation, construction, and manufacturing.
Kigali is also near deposits of cassiterite (used for tin) and tungsten. These minerals are mined nearby. There are some local factories that process these minerals.
Culture and Life
While Rwanda's traditional culture often came from places like Nyanza, Kigali is now a center for it. Many groups in the city perform traditional Rwandan dance. Drums are very important in Rwandan music, and drummers are highly respected.
Kigali has a growing popular music scene. It's influenced by music from other African countries and America. Hip hop is very popular. The Kigali Up music festival happens every year, featuring artists from Rwanda and other countries. The Hobe Rwanda Festival celebrates music, dance, and local art.
Many films about the Rwandan genocide have been made in Kigali, like 100 Days. The city also has its own growing film industry, sometimes called "Hillywood." The Rwanda Film Festival takes place every year in Kigali.
On Genocide Memorial Day, April 7, the Kigali Genocide Memorial holds a special event called Kwibuka. The president lights a "flame of hope." This is followed by a week of mourning. July 4 is Liberation Day, a national holiday.
Every last Saturday of the month, Kigali residents take part in umuganda. This is a morning of mandatory community service. People clean streets or help build homes. Most normal services close during this time.
Kigali's food is similar to the rest of Rwanda. Common foods include bananas, plantains, beans, and sweet potatoes. Many restaurants serve a mélange, which is a buffet-style meal. Brochettes (skewers) are very popular, often made from goat meat. You can also find restaurants serving Chinese, French, Indian, and Italian food. Popular drinks include fermented milk and banana beer.
Learning in Kigali
In the past, Butare was Rwanda's main center for higher education. But Kigali has become a major learning hub since the 1990s. Many public and private universities were founded here.
In 2013, Rwanda's public universities were combined to form the University of Rwanda. It has several campuses, with three in Kigali. These campuses focus on different subjects, like business, science, engineering, and health sciences.
In 2018, Kigali had many primary and secondary schools. The city's districts often have the best exam results at the primary level. Kigali also has private schools that offer international programs. These schools help students prepare for universities around the world. In 2022, the government announced that parents would no longer pay school fees for pre-primary and primary students.
Sports in Kigali
Kigali has many sports venues. The largest is Amahoro Stadium in Remera, which can hold 30,000 people. It's mainly used for association football games, including national team matches. The stadium also hosts rugby union and concerts. The Kigali Arena is a large indoor stadium next to Amahoro Stadium. It opened in 2019 and hosts basketball, handball, volleyball, and tennis.
Many of Rwanda's top football and basketball teams are based in Kigali. The two most successful football teams, APR FC and Rayon Sports, are from the city.
Kigali will host the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, a major cycling event. This will be the first time this event comes to Africa.
City Services
Getting Around
Rwanda has invested a lot in its transportation system since 1994. Kigali is the center of the country's road network. Paved roads connect the city to most other major towns in Rwanda. It also connects to other countries in the East African Community.
Not many people in Kigali own cars. Most rely on public transport. Historically, minibuses were common, but now larger buses are used. You can even pay for bus rides with a special "Tap & Go" card. Motorcycle taxis are very popular for getting around quickly. There are also taxicabs and bicycle taxis.
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International buses run from Nyabugogo to other cities in East Africa. Rwanda does not have railways yet. However, the government plans to build a new railway connecting Kigali to Isaka in Tanzania.
Kigali International Airport (KIA) is the city's main airport. It's in the eastern suburb of Kanombe. The busiest flights are to Nairobi and Kampala. A new, larger airport called Bugesera International Airport is being built south-east of Kigali. It will become the country's biggest airport.
Electricity
Kigali's electricity used to come mostly from hydroelectric power stations. But water levels in the lakes dropped, causing power shortages. The government has since invested in new power sources, including diesel generators and peat-fired power stations. They are also working to improve power lines. Most households in Kigali now have access to electricity.
Healthcare
Rwanda has five national hospitals, and four of them are in Kigali. The largest is the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (UTH-K). Other major hospitals include King Faisal Hospital and the Rwanda Military Hospital. The city also has three smaller provincial hospitals.
Local communities help manage healthcare through a system of health insurance called mutuelles de santé. This system helps make healthcare more accessible for everyone.
Media in Kigali
Kigali is home to many television and radio stations. There are eleven different TV stations broadcast in Rwanda, and ten of them are based in Kigali. The public Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) runs several popular channels, including Rwanda TV.
Many radio stations also operate in Kigali. Radio Rwanda is the most popular. You can also listen to international stations like BBC News and Voice of America. Several newspapers are published in Kigali, including The New Times (in English) and La Nouvelle Relève (in French).
See also
In Spanish: Kigali para niños
