6 Fascinating Museums You Should Visit in Kigali

Kigali is a bustling metropolis known for being one of Africa's cleanest and safest capitals. Nonetheless, it is connected with awful events in its past, such as the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, which claimed the lives of an estimated one million people.

Many of Kigali's museums and memorials exist to honor the victims of the genocide, and visiting them may be emotionally exhausting. After you've had your fill of Rwanda's sad times, visit Kigali's lesser-known museums to learn about the country's colonial history, rich cultural traditions, and vibrant modern art scene. Continue reading to learn about the top 5 museums in Kigali.

Learn the history of Rwanda in the best museums in Kigali

Explore the top 6 must-see museums in Kigali, Rwanda

Most Rwandan museums are closed on the last Saturday of each month for Umuganda, a national holiday dedicated to community service, and on April 7, Tutsi Genocide Memorial Day. The following are the top seven museums to visit in Kigali.

1. Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre

Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre is one of the most famous museums in Kigali

Beginning on April 7, 1994, the Hutu government's militias slaughtered around one million Rwandans, the bulk of whom were Tutsis, over about 100 days. The Kigali Genocide Memorial, which has three display rooms dedicated to the Rwanda genocide and crimes in Namibia, Armenia, Cambodia, and Europe, maybe visited to learn more about the origins and consequences of this disaster.

The museum's goal is to memorialize the victims while educating visitors so that such tragedies do not happen again. It also serves as the last resting place for around 250,000 genocide victims, who are interred in mass graves on the grounds. Following a guided museum tour, pay your respects at the burial site and adjacent name wall. The memorial is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the entrance is free.

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2. Campaign Against Genocide Museum

Sightseeing Campaign Against Genocide Museum for tourists

Kigali's Parliamentary Building contains the Campaign Against Genocide Museum, which is one of the best museums in Kigali, Rwanda. When 600 Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) troops came in the city in December 1993 to help carry out the new temporary unity government negotiated in the Arusha Accords, they were housed there. However, the genocide began before the government was created, leaving the Tutsis with no protection, as first-world powers mostly declined to help.

Its exhibits and sculptures pay tribute to the troops' bravery and the lives they rescued by putting an end to the genocide in July 1994. The RPA was led by Rwanda's current president, Paul Kagame, who dedicated the museum in their honor in 2017. This Rwanda museum is open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; entry is 4,500 francs, or about $5.

3. Belgian Peacekeepers Memorial Centre

Belgian Peacekeepers Memorial Centre is one of the museums to visit in Kigali

The Belgian Troops Memorial, also known as the Camp Kigali Belgian Memorial, commemorates the death of 10 Belgian troops from the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) on April 7, 1994, as part of the genocide's early stages. The troops, who had been sent to Rwanda to help execute the Arusha Accords, were killed while attempting to protect Rwandan Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana from the insurgents.

Uwilingiyimana, her husband, and all 10 troops were ultimately slain, causing Belgium to withdraw its forces from UNAMIR on April 12. Visitors to the former military base may now view the bullet-riddled edifice where the fatalities took place, as well as 10 stone pillars, one for each of the fallen peacekeepers. All tourists in Kigali can enter this place for free.

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4. Kandt House Museum

Kandt House Museum is one of the famous museums in Kigali, Rwanda

The Kandt House Museum is named for and situated in the home of Richard Kandt, Rwanda's first colonial governor. It gives insight into Rwandan history via three exhibitions containing old images and relics. 

The first covers Rwandan life before colonialism, including its social, economic, and political features. The second exhibit focuses on events during the colonial era, first under Germany and then under Belgium; this is especially interesting because it demonstrates how colonial rulers used ethnic distinctions to extend their own authority, laying the groundwork for the subsequent genocide.

The final section delves into Kigali's history, including its nomination as Rwanda's capital in 1962. The Kandt House Museum is open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and entrance costs 14,000 francs (about $12 per person).

5. Ntarama Genocide Memorial Centre

Explore Ntarama Genocide Memorial Centre for tourists 

If you want to see the aftermath of the genocide firsthand, head 50 minutes south of Kigali to Ntarama Church. On April 15, 1994, 5,000 Tutsi parishioners sought safety in the church from their attackers, only to be brutally slaughtered. Visitors can still see the bent window frames and missing brick wall parts where the Hutu militia forced their way inside the church. One wall features human skulls and bones, as well as bloodstained clothes from the victims. For many, the church still elicits panic and anxiety, and visiting is a horrible experience.

Nonetheless, the magnificent grounds provide a space to reflect, while a wall of names serves as a more personal memorial to the few persons who were identified following the killing. The church is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day.

6. Kigali Art Museum

Visit the Kigali Art Museum to see the creative collection in Rwanda

The Rwanda Art Museum is located east of Kigali International Airport and is one of the popular art galleries in Kigali. It is housed within the former Presidential Palace. It is primarily a contemporary art museum in Kigali, exhibiting works ranging from paintings and sculptures to ceramics and mixed media.

In addition to its permanent collection, which includes works by Rwandan and international artists, the museum holds periodic temporary exhibitions. It also has an Art Kids' Studio where children may engage in hands-on creative activities.

The parts of the presidential jet, which was shot down above Kigali on April 6, 1994, killing then-President Juvénal Habyarimana and starting the Rwandan Genocide, are visible on the lawn of the old palace. The museum entry fee is 14,000 francs and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Planning your journey to learn the history of Rwanda in the best museums in Kigali

When embarking on a journey to Rwanda to delve into its rich history, it is essential to plan ahead and make the most of your visit by applying for a Rwanda e-visa through Rwanda Immigration Services. This streamlined process allows travelers to conveniently obtain their visas online, ensuring a smooth entry into the country and facilitating their exploration of the best museums in Kigali. 

These museums serve as gateways to Rwanda's past, offering a profound understanding of its history and cultural heritage. From the poignant Kigali Genocide Memorial, which commemorates the victims of the 1994 genocide, to the Presidential Palace Museum, providing insights into Rwanda's political history, and the Rwanda Art Museum, which celebrates the country's vibrant art scene, these museums offer invaluable opportunities for learning and reflection. 

By planning your journey and securing your Rwanda e-visa, you can fully immerse yourself in the captivating stories and experiences that await in the best museums of Kigali, gaining a deeper appreciation for Rwanda's past and its journey towards healing, reconciliation, and progress.