Mission guide

Rwanda Kigali Mission

The Rwanda Kigali Mission serves a growing Church community in Rwanda’s highland capital and surrounding country.

  • Kinyarwanda
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Rwanda Kigali Mission Heart Map design

Rwanda Kigali Mission shirts

Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.

Rwanda Kigali Mission T-Shirt in Solid White, front view

Rwanda Kigali Mission T-Shirt

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Rwanda Kigali Mission Heart Map shirt in White: Rwanda outline with a red heart, front view

Rwanda Kigali Mission Heart Map Shirt

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Rwanda Kigali Mission Flag Map shirt in White: flag of Rwanda in the outline of Rwanda with navy lettering, front view

Rwanda Kigali Mission Flag Map Shirt

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I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission

2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.

I Glory in My Jesus shirt in Kinyarwanda on White: “Nishimira Yesu wanjye”, 2 Nefi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – Kinyarwanda

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in Kinyarwanda, white ink on Dark Chocolate: “Nishimira Yesu wanjye”, 2 Nefi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink) – Kinyarwanda

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About the mission

The Rwanda Kigali Mission covers Rwanda, with Kigali as its main city. Kigali is the nation’s capital and largest city, set among rolling hills in the heart of the country.

Kinyarwanda is the main local language. Missionaries may also encounter English and other languages, but Kinyarwanda is central to daily life and Church service.

At a glance

Country
Rwanda
Main city
Kigali, 1,745,555 people (2022)
Language
Kinyarwanda
Time zone
Central Africa Time (UTC+2)
Climate
Tropical savanna climate, with rainy seasons from February to June and September to December
Church in Rwanda
2,489 members, 1 mission, 10 congregations

A short history of the area

The Kingdom of Rwanda was established in the area centuries ago. Kigali was generally founded in 1907, when German administrator and explorer Richard Kandt chose the site as his headquarters because of its central location, views and security.

Kigali became Rwanda’s national capital at independence in 1962. The city later endured the 1994 genocide and came under the control of the Rwandan Patriotic Front on July 4 of that year. Today, Kigali is a growing city known for its hills, clean streets and high elevation.

The Church here

  1. 2005John Jackson, a United States embassy employee, organized meetings of Church members at his home in Kigali.
  2. 2008The Kigali Branch was created, with Eric K. Hyde as its first branch president.
  3. 2008The first baptismal service in Rwanda was held at Lake Muhazi on August 23.
  4. 2009Elder Jeffrey R. Holland dedicated Rwanda for the preaching of the gospel.
  5. 2010Rwanda accepted a humanitarian missionary couple.
  6. 2012The first young proselyting missionaries were assigned to Rwanda.
  7. 2013The Church received official legal recognition from the Rwandan government.
  8. 2017The first district in Rwanda was organized in Kigali.
  9. 2022The Rwanda Kigali Mission opened in July as Rwanda’s first mission, formed from parts of the Uganda Kampala, Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa East and Democratic Republic of the Congo Lubumbashi missions.

Temples nearby

Kampala Uganda Temple

Announced · About 235 miles from Kigali

Nairobi Kenya Temple

Dedicated May 18, 2025 · About 470 miles from Kigali

The Book of Mormon here

Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.

Kinyarwanda Read it free →

Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Before you go

Phrases to learn

  • MurahoHello
  • Amakuru?How are you?
  • MurakozeThank you
  • NyabunekaPlease

Foods to try

  • Ibitoke (cooked plantains, a common staple)
  • Isombe (a cassava-leaf stew)
  • Brochettes (grilled meat, often goat)
  • Ikivuguto (fermented milk)

Fun facts

  • Kigali’s average elevation is 1,567 meters, or 5,141 feet, above sea level.
  • The last Saturday of each month is umuganda, a period of community service that usually limits services and public transportation.
  • Richard Kandt’s former house is now the Kandt House Museum of Natural History, the first European-style house in Kigali.

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