Commemorative Centre

The Kigali Genocide Memorial is dedicated to remembering those who perished during the 1994 genocide. The site houses the remains of more than a quarter of a million individuals and offers visitors an educational space to learn about the tragic events that unfolded.

Managed by the Aegis Trust, this centre also provides a burial ground for families to lay their loved ones to rest. It stands as a permanent reminder of the genocide and its victims.

Historical Development

The construction of the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre began in 2000 under the guidance of the Kigali City Council. The Aegis Trust was tasked with transforming this vision into reality, collecting data globally to create three graphical exhibits that are available in multiple languages.

Among Rwanda's six major genocide memorials, the Kigali Genocide Memorial is one of the most prominent sites. It opened its doors in 1999 and officially inaugurated on the tenth anniversary of the genocide in April 2004.

Human Remains

Remains of victims were gathered from various locations across Kigali, including streets and rivers, before being interred at the memorial. They are buried collectively in groups of 100,000 to honour their memory.

The centre has become a significant site for genocide survivors and visitors alike. In its first week, over 1,500 survivors visited daily, with around 60,000 people from diverse backgrounds visiting within the first three months of operation.