List of kings of Rwanda

This article contains a list of kings of Rwanda. The Kingdom of Rwanda was ruled by sovereigns titled mwami, and was one of the oldest and the most centralized kingdoms in the history of Central and East Africa.
Its state and affairs before King Gihanga I are largely unconfirmed and highly shrouded in mythical tales.

Kings of Rwanda

Before 14th century

Gihanga I
Kanyarwanda I Gahima I
Rukuge
Rumeza I
Yuhi I Musindi
Rumeza II
Nyarume
Rubanda
Ndahiro I Bamara

Pretenders since 1961

On 28 January 1961, in the coup of Gitarama during what was dubbed the Rwandan Revolution by the Belgian-favored Hutu extremist party Parmehutu, the Belgian colonial overseers abolished the monarchy and Rwanda became a republic. Afterwards, Kigeli V Ndahindurwa continued to maintain his claim to the throne until his death on 16 October 2016 in Washington, D.C. On 9 January 2017, the Royal Council of Abiru announced Prince Emmanuel Bushayija as the new heir to the throne. Prince Emmanuel adopted the regnal name Yuhi VI.