Rwanda: Ex-President Mbonyumutwa grave moved

By Rwanda News Agency
May 3, 2010

January 28, 1961: Mr. Mbonyumutwa (second right) with other leaders of PARMEHUTU party which ruled the first Republic of Rwanda. They were in the same 'Referendum Stadium' where Mr. Mbonyumutwa was burried.

Kigali: Southern Province officials have come true to their plan to have the grave of former president Dominique Mbonyumutwa removed from a city center, RNA has established.

Muhanga district mayor Ms. Yvonne Mutakwasuku ordered in January that the family of Rwanda’s first president remove his grave from the compound of her office. She gave the family 60 days to do it or the district would effect the order.

Sources have told RNA that the grave was dug open on Saturday night, the body moved to the public cemetery out of town.

Mr. Mbonyumutwa was buried in small public pavilion known in Rwandan history as ‘Referendum Stadium’, just opposite to the office of the mayor. It is in this specific area where the Rwanda was declared a republic – ending the monarchy.

Muhanga district officials say they want to free up the space for redevelopment – a decision which Mr. Mbonyumutwa’s family has battled against in court unsuccessfully.

"We don't understand why the grave must be moved," said the ex-president’s son, Mr. Shinguiro Mbonyumutwa in early March, adding that he has written to the authorities asking them to reconsider.

Mr Mbonyumutwa's family said the government order contravened an earlier court ruling, which instructed the government to take care of the tomb.

He became interim president in 1961 when Rwanda gained independence from Belgium. He died in 1986.

It is not yet clear if the family complied with the order to transfer the grave or the authorities implemented their threat to do it themselves.

The grave came into the limelight in January when firry opposition politician Ingabire Victoire visited it immediately she had returned to the country from her exile.

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