List of kings of Rwanda

This page contains a list of kings (mwami, plural abami) of Rwanda. The Kingdom of Rwanda was one of the oldest and the most centralized kingdoms in the history of Central and East Africa.

Its state and affairs before King Gihanga is largely unconfirmed and highly shrouded in mythical tales.

List

Abami b'imishumi (descendants of Ibimanuka gods) – B.C.E

• Gihanga
• Kanyarwanda I Gahima I
• Rumeza I
• Yuhi I Musindi
• Rumeza II^[1]
• Nyarume^[1]
• Rubanda^[1]
• Ndahiro I Bamara (Wamala)
• Ndahiro II Ruyange
• Ndahiro III Ndoba
• Ndahiro IV Samembe
• Nsoro I Samukondo
• Nsoro II Byinshi
• Ruganzu I Bwimba
• Cyilima Rugwe

1st Abami Bibitekerezo (1st Common Era Kings)

• Kigeli I Mukobanya
• Mibambwe I Sekarongoro I Mutabazi
• Yuhi wa II Gahima II
• Ndahiro wa V Cyamatare

2nd Abami Bibitekerezo (2nd Common Era Kings)

• Ruganzu II Ndoli
• Kalemera Rwaka
• Mutara I Nsoro III Semugeshi
• Kigeli II Nyamuheshera (1576–1609)
• Mibamwe II Sekarongoro II Gisanura (1609–1642)
• Yuhi III Mazimpaka (1642–1675)
• Cyilima II Rujugira (1675–1708)
• Kigeli wa III Ndabarasa (1708–1741)
• Mibambwe III Mutabazi II Sentabyo (1741–1746)
• Yuhi IV Gahindiro (1746–1802)
• Mutara II Rwogera (1802–1853)
• Kigeli IV Rwabugiri (1853–1895)
• Mibambwe IV Rutarindwa (1895 – November 1896)
• Yuhi wa V Musinga (November 1896 – 12 November 1931)
• Mutara III Rudahigwa (12 November 1931 – 25 July 1959)
• Kigeli V Ndahindurwa (28 July 1959 – 28 January 1961)

On 28 January 1961 Rwanda became a republic, during the Rwandan Revolution. Afterwards, Kigeli V Ndahindurwa continued to maintain his claim to the throne until his death on 16 October 2016 in Washington, DC.

See also

• History of Rwanda
• Kingdom of Rwanda
• List of Presidents of Rwanda
• Prime Minister of Rwanda

References