Kiganda Royal Hill Tour

Kiganda Royal Hill is a historic site situated about 14 km from Muramvya center and it is known for its stunning views, traditional architecture, and rich cultural heritage.

Before the colonial era, each king or clan of Burundi had his capital, with a palace surrounded by homes, places of worship, and storehouses. The main capitals were in the present Muramvya Province at Mbuye, Muramvya, Bukeye, and Kiganda.

From 1881 the state of Ingoma Y'Uburundi was attacked by the European colonial powers. At the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 "Urundi" was ceded to the Germans. In 1895 the Germans entered Burundi from Rwanda but were defeated in the battles of Ruvubu (1896) and Uzige and Muyaga (1898). In June 1899 at the Battle of Ndaga, Captain Robert von Bering used Mexican machine guns to defeat the Barundi decisively. Later that year, in the Second Battle of Muyaga the Germans were forced to retreat to Tanganyika.

After further fighting, the Germans proposed a treaty to Mwezi IV of Burundi (Mwezi Gisabo), signed in Kiganda on 6 June 1903. The Treaty of Kiganda acknowledged the independence of Ingoma Y’Uburundi while making concessions to the Germans including the military station of Usumbura and the Catholic mission of Mugera.

The place where the treaty was signed is now a tourist site.