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.
| Mwami of Rwanda | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Details | |
| Style | His Majesty |
| First monarch | Gihanga I |
| Last monarch | Kigeli V Ndahindurwa |
| Formation | Unknown (ancient times) |
| Abolition | 28 January 1961 |
| Residence | Nyanza, Rwanda |
| Appointer | Royal Council of Abiru |
| Pretender(s) | Prince Emmanuel Bushayija |
Its state and affairs before King Gihanga I are largely unconfirmed and highly shrouded in mythical tales.
Kings of Rwanda
- Abami b'imishumi (descendants of Ibimanuka gods) – B.C.E
- Gihanga I
- Kanyarwanda I Gahima I
- Rumeza I
- Yuhi I Musindi
- Rumeza II[1]
- Nyarume[1]
- Rubanda (Lugalbanda)[1]
- Ndahiro I Bamara (Wamala)
- Ndahiro II Ruyange
- Ndahiro III Ndoba
- Ndahiro IV Samembe
- Nsoro I Samukondo
- Nsoro II Byinshi
- Ruganzu I Bwimba
- Cyilima I Rugwe
- 1st Abami Bibitekerezo (1st Common Era Kings)
- 2nd Abami Bibitekerezo (2nd Common Era Kings)
- Ruganzu II Ndoli (c. 1560?)
- Mutara I Nsoro III Semugeshi
- Kigeli II Nyamuheshera
- Mibamwe II Sekarongoro II Gisanura (1700? – 1735)
- Yuhi III Mazimpaka (1735 – 1766)
- Kalemera Rwaka (1766 – 1770)
- Cyilima II Rujugira (1770 – 1786)
- Kigeli III Ndabarasa (1786 – 1796)
- Mibambwe III Mutabazi II Sentabyo (1796 – 1801)
- Yuhi IV Gahindiro (1801 – 1845)
- Mutara II Rwogera (1845 – 1867)
- Kigeli IV Rwabugiri (1867 – September 1895)[2]
- Mibambwe IV Rutarindwa (September 1895 – December 1896)[3]
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuhi V Musinga[4] | 1883 – 13 January 1944 (aged 60–61) | December 1896 | 12 November 1931 | Son of Kigeli IV Rwabugiri | Abanyiginya |  |
| Mutara III Rudahigwa | March 1911 – 25 July 1959 (aged 48) | 12 November 1931[5] | 25 July 1959[6] | Son of Yuhi V Musinga | Abanyiginya |  |
| Kigeli V Ndahindurwa | 29 June 1936 – 16 October 2016 (aged 80)[7] | 28 July 1959[8][9] | 28 January 1961[10] | Son of Yuhi V Musinga | Abanyiginya |  |
Timeline (1700–1961)
Pretenders since 1961
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On 28 January 1961, 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[10] (retroactively approved by a Hutu led referendum held on 25 September of the same year).[11] Afterwards, Kigeli V Ndahindurwa continued to maintain his claim to the throne until his death on 16 October 2016 in Washington, D.C.[7] 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.[12]
