SOUTHERN PROVINCE

NYANZA – Sports and Culture Minister Joseph Habineza on Saturday inaugurated the Museum of Rwandan Ancient History at a ceremony attended by senior Government officials and members of the diplomatic corps.

The museum sits in the former Palace of King Mutara III Rudahigwa who died under mysterious circumstances on July 25, 1959 in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Speaking during the ceremony, Habineza noted that there are many historical sites in the country that need to be preserved not only for tourism but for cultural value as well.

"There is need for protection of different historical sites and the different aspects of our culture lest we run a risk of losing what our ancestors held sacrosanct to the detriment of the future generation," the minister warned.

Habineza emphasised the need to market the country’s cultural tourism in order to break the continued dependence on eco–tourism.

"Tourists who come to Rwanda mainly visit the mountain gorillas in the North of the Country. We need to keep them longer in the country but this will require a diversification on the package we have to offer. Cultural tourism is one of the areas that need to be explored," explained the minister.

Nyanza is renowned for its rich cultural sites because under the reign of King Yuhi V Musinga in 1899, it became the royal capital of the country.

Nyanza also became the home of artistic and intellectual activities and also a place of economic exchange.

On the hill overlooking the Museum of Rwandan Ancient History lies the Rwesero Arts Museum which displays contemporary artwork demonstrating the originality of Rwandan creativity which is rooted in the country’s history and culture.

The Rwesero Arts Museum was a Palace built for King Mutara III Rudahigwa but he died before he could move into it.

On the neighbouring hill of Mwima lie the tombs of Mutara and his wife, Queen Rosalie Gicanda.

Also speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Gerd Scheuerpgeng, the representative of the German Development Service (DED), observed that the museum also serves as a symbol of ‘reconciliation and democratisation’ in the country.

He pledged his country’s support to the museum.

The Director of the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda, Dr Celestin Kanimba Misago, said that the museum shows how Rwanda built itself, the heroics of its Kings and their sacrifices and depicts the culture of heroism and patriotism in their true sense. He called for continued support to the museum so as to make Nyanza a cultural capital of Rwanda.

The event was also attended by the US Ambassador to Rwanda, Michael R. Arietti, the Minister in the President’s Office, Solina Nyirahabimana, Lands and Forestry Minister, Stanislas Kamanzi, ORTPN Director General Chantal Rugamba, the Southern Province Governor Fidele Ndayisaba and a host of other senior Government officials and diplomats.

The Museum of Rwandan Ancient History was refurbished with financial support from the Government, the US, and Germany.

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