Rwamagana – Market and Royal History

Rwamagana can be explored for trip planning from two perspectives: the market inaugurated in 2025 and a local history stretching from Gisaka and southern Buganza to Rwabugiri’s royal estates.

The Market in Kigabiro Sector

The Rwamagana market was officially inaugurated on 4 July 2025 during the Kwibohora 31 celebrations. The new market in Kigabiro Sector can accommodate up to 1,200 traders. In 2020, the government development agency LODA had already planned a modern market in Kigabiro Sector, covering more than 9,882 square metres and with space for at least 60 businesses. These figures referred to the project plan at the time. The same urban development project also included a planned exhibition ground on the edge of the town centre and the expansion of the existing crafts centre. These project components should be distinguished from the market. For the completed first construction phase, the district reported a capacity of more than 1,126 traders and costs exceeding 2.871 billion Rwandan francs at the 2025 inauguration. The capacity is not a count of traders currently operating there. An on-site report from July 2025 describes wide aisles, areas separated by product type, ventilation, electricity, clean water and areas designed to facilitate mobility. These facilities were described in that market report at the time. The market belongs to the town’s more recent history; Gisaka and southern Buganza represent earlier territorial affiliations, while Rwabugiri’s residence is part of royal history. If you are considering visiting the market, check in advance when it is accessible and take that information into account when planning your day.

Historical Territorial Affiliations

Rwamagana belonged to Gisaka before the area was conquered by Rwanda in the 18th century. During the colonial period, Rwamagana was part of southern Buganza.

Bigabiro and the Royal Estates

King Kigeri IV Rwabugiri’s residence was in the Bigabiro neighbourhood of Rwamagana. Rwabugiri’s royal estates were once numerous and very large. Inteko y’Umuco lists the royal estates as a place for preserving historical heritage.

After the First World War, the priests had the estates cleared to build the Rwamagana mission. Rwabutogo rwa Kabare ka Rwakagara, who ruled over southern Buganza at the time, assisted them. A historical account from 2025 explains how the mission’s bricks were made: the clay was shaped in the Rwikubo Valley. Firewood was scarce in Buganza, so Rwabutogo asked King Mutara III Rudahigwa for permission to cut down Rwabugiri’s former royal estates. According to the account, the wood was used to fire the bricks. This account of the building’s history does not describe an estate that can be visited today.

Mission and Parish Church

The Catholic mission in Rwamagana was established on 5 February 1919. The Catholic parish church in Rwamagana was inaugurated in 1933.

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