Ntarama Church Genocide Memorial
Urwibutso rwa Ntarama
A rural church about 30 km south of Kigali where around 5,000 refugees were killed in 1994. The church preserves the victims' belongings and clothing.
Ntarama Church is in Bugesera District. In April 1994, large numbers of Tutsi residents sought refuge in the church, and about 5,000 people were killed there. The church has been kept as it was after the event. The holes in the walls, and the piled belongings and clothing, have not been moved, which makes the impact very strong. It is often combined with the nearby Nyamata Church Memorial as a half-day trip, and it takes about 40 minutes by car from Kigali. Admission is free (donations welcome), and a guide explains what happened. Photography is prohibited inside, and children are not recommended.
Opening hours
Daily 08:00–17:00 (check official sources)
Nearby sights
- Nyamata Genocide Memorial Church
- Nyanza Genocide Memorial (Kicukiro)
- Mount Rebero Viewpoint & Memorial
- Mount Kigali
- Nyamirambo & Green Mosque
- Belgian Peacekeepers Memorial (Camp Kigali)
- Kigali Convention Centre
- Kandt House Museum