List of kings of Rwanda

This article contains a list of kings of Rwanda. The Kingdom of Rwanda was ruled by sovereigns titled mwami (plural abami), and 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 I are largely unconfirmed and highly shrouded in mythical tales.

Kings of Rwanda

Before 14th century Gihanga I Kanyarwanda I Gahima I RukugeKagame, Alex. 2015. Inganji Kalinga. New York Publications. Rumeza I Yuhi I Musindi Rumeza IILeon Delmas Nyarume Rubanda (Lugalbanda) Ndahiro I Bamara (Wamala)

14th–20th centuries 14th–19th centuries Portrait Name Reign Notes Vansina (2004) Stewart (2006) Ndahiro II Ruyange – 1350–1386 Ndahiro III Ndoba – 1386–1410 Ndahiro IV Samembe – 1410–1434 Nsoro I Samukondo –Omitted Nsoro II Byinshi – 1434–1458 Ruganzu I Bwimba – 1458–1482 Cyilima I Rugwe – 1482–1506 Kigeli I Mukobanya – 1506–1528 Mibambwe I Sekarongoro I Mutabazi – 1528–1552 Yuhi II Gahima II – 1552–1576 Enumerated as Yuhi I by Stewart. Ndahiro II Cyamatare – 1576–1600 Ruganzu II Ndoli – 1600–1624 Mutara I Nsoro III Semugeshi – 1624–1648 Kigeli II Nyamuheshera – 1648–1672 Mibambwe II Sekarongoro II Gisanura 1700–1735 1672–1696 Yuhi III Mazimpaka 1735–1766 1696–1720 Enumerated as Yuhi II by Stewart. Kalemera Rwaka Ntagara 1766–1770 1720–1744 Cyilima II Rujugira 1770–1786 1744–1768 Kigeli III Ndabarasa 1786–1796 1768–1792 Mibambwe III Mutabazi II Sentabyo 1796–1801 1792–1797 Yuhi IV Gahindiro 1801–1845 1797–1830 Enumerated as Yuhi III by Stewart. Mutara II Rwogera 1845–1867 1830–1853 Kigeli IV Rwabugiri 1867 – September 1895 1853–1895 Mibambwe IV Rutarindwa September 1895 – December 1896 1895 – November 1896 20th century Portrait Name Reign Notes Yuhi V Musinga December 1896 – 12 November 1931 Mutara III Rudahigwa 12 November 1931 – 25 July 1959 Kigeli V Ndahindurwa 28 July 1959 – 28 January 1961

Timeline (1700–1961)

Pretenders since 1961

On 28 January 1961, in the coup of Gitarama during what was dubbed the Rwandan Revolution by the Belgian-favored Hutu extremist party Parmehutu, the Belgian colonial overseers abolished the monarchy and Rwanda became a republic (retroactively approved by a Hutu led referendum held on 25 September of the same year). Afterwards, Kigeli V Ndahindurwa continued to maintain his claim to the throne until his death on 16 October 2016 in Washington, D.C. On 9 January 2017, the Royal Council of Abiru announced Prince Emmanuel Bushayija as the new heir to the throne. Prince Emmanuel adopted the regnal name Yuhi VI.

List of kings of Rwanda

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