Nyamata

Location

Nyamata is located in Bugesera District, Eastern Province, directly south of Kigali, the national capital and the largest city in the country. Its location is about 30 kilometres (19 mi), by road, south of Kigali. The coordinates of the town are:02 12 18S, 30 08 42E (Latitude:-2.2050; Longitude:30.1450).

History

It is not well known what happened in the region before 1900. In 1900 however, there was a war between the Kingdom of Rwanda-Rwagasabo with Cyirima as the King, and the Kingdom of Bugesera whose King was Nsoro. Bugesera won the war, Nsoro captured Cyirima but did not kill him nor did he acquire the territory of Rwanda-Rwagasabo. After Nsoro died his son Ruganzu Ndori became King. Ruganzu Ndori was the last king of Bugesera, he died in 1962 when Rwanda became a republic.

Overview

Nyamata is a small town in Bugesera District, Rwanda. A new International Airport, Bugesera International Airport, is being planned and will be constructed near the town, between 2011 and 2015. The town is also the location of Nyamata Genocide Memorial. Located at the site where Nyamata Parish Catholic Church once stood, the memorial contains the remains of over 45,000 genocide victims, almost all of whom were Tutsi, including over 10,000 who were massacred inside the church itself.

Population

The population of Nyamata in 1993 was estimated at about 120,000. In 2009, the population of the town was estimated at about 12,000. The population of Nyamata Sector in 2012 was 34.939.

Points of interest

The following points of interest lie within the town limits or close to the edges of town: