Beautiful Pictures Of Kigali City Of Rwanda And History

22 March 2018 Modified date: 22 March 2018

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History And Photos Of Kigali City; Night Time, Daylight And Buildings

ABOUT KIGALI

Kigali is the capital and largest city of Rwanda.
It is near the nation’s geographic centre. The city has been Rwanda’s
economic, cultural, and transport hub since it became capital at
independence in 1962. The city hosts the main residence and offices of
the President of Rwanda and government ministries. The city is within the province
of Kigali City, which was enlarged in January 2006, as part of local
government reorganization in the country. Kigali’s city limits covers
the whole province, it is consolidated. The city’s urban area covers
about 70% of the municipal boundaries.

KIGALI BRIEF HISTORY

In pre-colonial times Mount Kigali was a site of magical renewal overseen by the Bami
(kings) as well as being an important stopover on cross-African caravan
trade routes. In 1907 the city was officially founded by the Germans, who had been granted the colonial concession of Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi at the Berlin Conference of 1885. After World War I, the Belgians
gained control of Rwanda-Burundi through the mandate system of the
League of Nations; however, since the administrative tasks for the
region were centred in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi, Kigali grew
slowly throughout this period.

After independence on July 1, 1962, Kigali became the capital city of
the Republic of Rwanda. Because of its central location and its good
transport links, industry and trade blossomed and the city began to
grow.

During the 1994 genocide
perpetrated against the Tutsi, Kigali suffered massive population loss;
some of the buildings were damaged in fighting between the former Forces Armées Rwandaises
(Rwandan Armed Forces: FAR) and the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA).
Other buildings were destroyed simply out of hatred and anger. Since
then, a period of intense rebuilding has seen Kigali develop and thrive.

“Cleanliness and Security” is the motto of Kigali. In accordance with
this motto, the city is a safe and secure place to live, visit, and
explore at any hour of the day or night. The police patrol the streets
and the population is encouraged to report anything that may be of
potential harm to others. In fact, Kigali City is regarded to be the
safest city in Africa by most international visitors.

Hygiene and cleanliness are also main policy areas for the governing of
the city. Cleaners, working for private companies and cooperatives, are
hired by Kigali City to clean highways, streets, and public gardens.
In addition to this, on the last Saturday of every month, the citizens
and friends of Rwanda take part in Umuganda (voluntary community
work) and help to clean their neighborhoods and streets, build houses,
hospitals, and schools. There has also been a complete ban on plastic
bags since 1998 to reduce litter. Every six months the city’s
cleanliness is reviewed and, if necessary, actions are taken, such as
replanting gardens and improving pavement. In 2008 the United Nations
awarded Kigali a Habitat Scroll of Honour Award to recognise the work
that has gone into the construction of this model, modern city.

Kigali is rich with culture and the arts. The Kigali Genocide Memorial
Center commemorates the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and explores
other genocides throughout history and around the world, inviting
visitors to reflect on the past and contemplate hope for the future.
The city is inundated with remarkable architecture, museums, recording
studios, theatres, dance performances, and unique craft markets. Kigali
revels in its safe, clean, friendly, cultured and progressive
atmosphere.

Economy

Mines for tin ore (cassiterite) have operated nearby, and the city built a smelting plant in the 1980s. Business in Rwanda
has been growing in the 21st century, and many new buildings have
arisen across the city, including the BCDI Tower, Centenary House, Kigali City Tower and Kigali Convention Centre. Tourism provides important input into the economy^.

Government

Kigali
is a province-level city governed by a city council who appoints an
executive committee to run the day-to-day operations of the city. The
executive committee consists of a mayor and two deputies. The city is
split into three administrative districts: Gasabo, Kicukiro, and Nyarugenge. It contained parts of the former province of Kigali Rural.

BEAUTIFUL PICTURES OF KIGALI BELOW