General
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UNIT 10:Colonial Rwanda
Key Unit Competence: Analyse important events of colonial Rwanda.
Attitudes and Values:
• To appreciate the role of political movements in Rwanda’s independence and develop the spirit of patriotism.
• To acknowledge the contributions of foreigners and reforms brought about by King Rudahigwa.
10.1 Colonialism
Colonialism is when a country is under the total control of a stronger foreign country.
Rwanda was first colonised by Germany and later by Belgium. Germans’ great contribution to the colonization of Rwanda was culture of the Rwandese in and categorized everything according to its physical characteristics.
Colonization in Africa took place towards the 19 century. The European countries which colonised Africa included Britain, Spain, Belgium, Germany, France and Portugal.
Countries that colonized East Africa
Country colonisor Colony
• Germany / Belgium --------- Rwanda
• Germany / Belgium ----------Burundi
• Britain ---------------------------Uganda
• Britain ---------------------------Kenya
• Germany ------------------------Tanzania
African countries which were not colonized
Ethiopia and Liberia were not colonised. Liberia was set aside for freed
slaves from America. Ethiopia had strong leaders and a strong army. It had mountains which made transport difficult for the Italian invaders.
Before the coming of Europeans, Rwanda had powerful kings called Umwami. However in the 19 century, Rwanda lost its independence to Europeans. They took over Rwanda and colonized it.
Activity 10.1
1. Discuss the reasons why Africa was colonized.
2. Name the two European countries that colonized Rwanda.
3. Which two African countries were not colonized and why?
10.2 Causes of colonization of Rwanda
European countries had different reasons for colonising Rwanda and other African countries.
These reasons can be divided into different categories:
economical, social and political.
1. Economic reasons
• The colonizers wanted minerals such as wolfram, gold and coltan from Rwanda.
• They were attracted by the favorable climate and fertile soil which supported crops for the European market.
• They were looking for a market for their goods.
• They wanted new areas carry out trade.
• The Industrial Revolution.• They wanted labour from Rwanda.
Activity 10.2
1. Discuss other economic reasons why Europeans colonized Rwanda.
2. Identify the two cash crops which were introduced by Germany.
2. Social reasons
• The colonizers wanted to spread Christianity.
• The missionaries wanted to introduce formal education.
• They wanted to improve medical care in Rwanda by building hospitals.
• They wanted to introduce their culture to Rwanda.
• They wanted to stop the slave trade and introduce legitimate trade.
3. Political reasons
• Germany and Belgium wanted to increase their colonies in Africa.
• The Europeans wanted to settle in Africa
• They wanted to establish civilization in Africa
• They wanted to protect missionaries and traders who were in Africa.
• They wanted to discover more about the interior of Africa
• Some European countries were invited by African leaders
Forms of colonization
A protectorate is a weaker country controlled by a stronger country without any interest.
A colony is the control of weaker country by a stronger country with the aim of economic or political interest.
10.3 Reaction of Rwandans to colonial rule
African societies responded in different ways to European occupation. Some
of the African societies and leaders decided to fight the Europeans from
the beginning. They include Kabalega of Bunyoro, Samori Toura of the
Mandinka, Nandi of Kenya, Menelik II of Ethiopia, Abel Kader of Algeria
among others
Those who welcome the Europeans also decided to fight after realising that the European had taken their independence and wealth. They include Buganda under Mwanga and the Ndebele under Lobengula.
Some communities did not mind whether they were colonized or not. They worked together with Europeans. They were known as collaborates. They include Ankole, Buganda, Masai among others. The collaborators supported the Europeans in exchange of material gains.
10.4 Why some africans collaborated
Africans collaborated with the colonialist because of different reasons as under
• They thought that they would protect their independence.
• Some Africans collaborated because of military weakness. They realized that Europeans had better weapons and methods of fighting.
• Some Africans collaborated because they had seen how their neigbours were defeated by superior military power of Europeans.
• Their leaders were illiterate and did not know the conditions of treaties they signed with the Europeans.
• They wanted to get weapons and military support to fight against their enemies.
• In senegal African societies collaborated with the French because of the threat of Smouri Toure of the Mandika Empire.
• Others collaborated in order to protect their social, political and economic organization.
• Natural calamities also forced some Africans to collaborate. For example the Masai had been weakened by chicken pox, rinder
pest (cattle disease) and internal conflict.
• The Banyankole also collaborated because they were affected by Epidermic of jiggers and rinderpest. They also expected more attacks from Rwanda and Bunyoro .
• Some Africans collaborated because they wanted to get wealth.
Africans liked Europeans goods like clothes, beads, guns, mirrors, and wine because they thought that they were better.
• Some Africans also collaborated because of missionary influence.
Missionaries invited their countries to take over areas where they
worked. They also convinced Africans to sign treaties of protection.
For example Coillard wrote a letter on behalf of king Lewanika of
the lozi in Zambia resquesting for British protection.
Some reasons for King V Musinga’s resistance to colonial rule
Given below are some of the reasons King Yuhi V Musinga’s resistance to
the colonial rule.
• The king was not happy with the belgium system of direct rule.
• The king’s power was weakened.
• The king was not allowed to appoint the chiefs.
• The administrators divided the people of Rwanda.
• The king did not support the spread of western civilization, especially
Christianity.
• The king was not respected by the missionaries.
The Belgians divided the people of Rwanda according to their tribes. This was done by introducing identity cards.
Impact of Rwanda’s resistance to colonial rule
The Belgians, along with the catholic church, never liked King Musinga.He was sent away (exiled) from his kingdom on November 31, 1931.
He was first sent to Kamembe and later taken to Moba in Belgian Congo,
now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
King Musinga died in 1944 and was replaced by his son, King Mutara III Rudahigwa Charles.
10.5 The influence of foreigners in Rwanda
Foreigners are people who come to Rwanda from other countries.
They started coming to Rwanda in the 19 century. That is when they developed contact with Rwanda and other African countries.
Activity 10.3
1. In which year did King Yuhi Musinga die?
2. Why did the people of Rwanda resist King Musinga’s rule?
3. Why did the Belgians exile King Musinga from his kingdom?4. Which king succeeded King Musinga?
Reasons for the coming of foreigners to Africa (Rwanda)
The foreigners wanted to
• find the source of the River Nile.
• learn more about the physical features of Africa.
• spread Christianity.
• teach people how to read and write.
• promote legitimate trade.
• invest their surplus capital.
• find a market for their goods.
• get raw materials for their home markets.
There were four groups of foreigners who came to Rwanda at different times and for different reasons. They included: explorers, missionaries, European traders and administrators/colonialists.
1. Explorers
An explorer is a person who leaves his or her country to go and discover other areas.
The explorers who came to Rwanda were John Speke, Richard Kandt,Henry Matron Stanley, Oscar Bauman and Adolf von Gotzen.
Problems faced by the explorers
Explorers were faced with a number of problems in African countries such as:
• Wild animals which could attack them.
• Poor transport due to thick forests and waterfalls.
• Danger from hostile tribes like the Masai and Nandi in Kenya.
• Tropical diseases like malaria and sleeping sickness.
• Shortage of food and medicine.
• Language barriers since they could not communicate in local languages.
2. Missionaries
A missionary is a person who moves to a foreign land to spread the word of God. There were different groups of missionaries who came to Rwanda.
The Roman Catholics were the first group of missionaries to come to Rwanda. They were headed by the White Fathers missionaries who made their first visit to Rwanda and settle down in few miles north of the town of Butare, and in the west of the Gisagara District of Southern Province, Rwanda.
The Roman Catholics came to Rwanda in 1899 under the leadership of Bishop John Joseph Hirth from France. He tried to develop a relationship with King Yuhi Musinga in order to allow him to build the Catholic missions.
The first Catholic mission was built at Save, Gisagara district southern province in 1900 with a thatched structure but it was later replaced by a brick building.
Later in 1901, Zaza catholic mission was built in Ngoma District of the Eastern and Nyundo catholic mission in Rubavu District of the western province were among others.
The Church Missionary Society (CMS) were the second group of missionaries to come to Rwanda.
They were the protestant missionaries from England under the leadership of Bishop Johnson and Bishop Alloys.
In 1930s, a Revival began in Gahini the first Anglican mission which became one of the most important movements of spiritual renewal throughout East African Protestantism.Reasons for missionaries to come to Rwanda
Missionaries came to Rwanda as they wanted to:
• Spread Christianity.
• Teach people how to read and write.
• Spread western civilization.
• Stop the slave trade.
Achievements of the missionaries
The coming of missionaries to African countries like Rwanda had both a positive and negative impact.
Positive effects: These were good things done that contributed to the
development of African countries. Among others, they:
• Spread Christianity.
• Stopped the slave trade.
• Built schools.
• Introduced formal education.
• Built hospitals.
• Built churches.
• Introduced the first news paper called Ikinyamateka• introduced new style of building in Rwanda
Negative effects: Some negative results were:
• They undermined African culture.
• Their activities led to religious wars in East Africa.
• They paved the way colonialism and loss of independence.
Activity 10.4
Discuss the positive and negative achievements of missionaries in
Rwanda.
Problems faced by missionaries
The missionaries were faced with many problems and difficulties while spreading Christianity. Many of them lost their lives in the course of doing so. These problems included:
• Tropical diseases like malaria
• They were attacked by wild animals like lions
• Lack of easy means of transport
• They lacked enough funds to run their activities
• Harsh climate• Language barrier
3. Traders
European trading companies were the third category to come to Rwanda. They were called traders and they came to Rwanda for the following reasons:
• To carry out legitimate trade.
• To invest surplus capital.
In order to perform their work effectively, they had to form trading companies.
Traders brought big changes during the Industrial Revolution in Europe in the 19th century.
The Industrial Revolution also helped to change methods of making goods from hand-made to machine-made.
It led to high industrialization in Britain and other European countries.
By 1870, there was an increase in demand for raw materials and a market for manufactured goods.
In 1897, Carl Peters established a trading company in Rwanda called the German East Africa Company (GEACo).Items of trade included minerals, animals and animal skins.
4. Colonialists
A colonialist is a person who helps their country to take over control of another country.
A colonial power is a country which rules another country.
Adlof von Gotzen was the first European administrator in Rwanda, received by King Kigeli IV Rwabugiri on 4 May 1894.
Adolf von Gotzen was the Governor of German East Africa which included Tanganyika, Burundi and Rwanda. Rwanda was a German territory from 1897 to 1916.
10.6 Rwanda’s road to independence
A country is independent if it is not under the control of another country.
Rwanda was given to Germany the Berlin Conference of 1884 -1885.
It was called Berlin Conference because it was held in Berline the Capital City of Germany. The Berline conference was aim at allowing all European Countries to claim land in Africa . It was shared by the Germany chancellor Otto Von Bismark.
The European countries which attended the conference were Germany Portugal ,Belgium, France, Spain and Britain.
Resolution made in Berline conference
• All European countries were allowed to claim land Africa.
• Once a country was colonise, it was not allowed to be claimed by another country.
• Incase of extention , all other European had to be informed.
• The colonial master had to stop slave trade in their colony.
Rwanda as a German territory (1897-1916)
Germany ruled Rwanda through the King (Umwami). This was called indirect rule. Local chiefs had to take orders from the European colonial administrators.
The signing of agreements between local chiefs and Karl Peters allowed the Germans and missionaries to enter Rwanda from Tanganyika from 1897 to 1898.
In 1914, World War I started between European nations. The African countries which had been colonized had to fight on the side of their colonizer’s country.
King Rudahigwa’s reforms
Mutara III Charles Rudahigwa became the king of Rwanda in 1931. During his rule, he made man changes to the country.
King Mutara Rudahigwa Charles
He stopped the Ubuhake and Uburetwa systems.
Ubuhake and Uburetwa are the names given to the social and economic systems among the Tutsi, and Hutu. Ubuhake meant someone working for a wealthy cow ownerin exchange for being given a cow, and Uburetwa meant forced labour. This did not make the Belgians happy. They introduced the
system of elected councils in 1952.
The Belgians divided Rwandans into Hutu, Twa and Tutsi citizens. Mutara knew this would increase divisions among the people of Rwanda.
In 1954, Mutara demanded independence from the Belgians. He wanted Rwanda to remain a monarchy.
He requested the Belgians to remove some one’s tribe from identity cards so that Rwandans will be treated equally.
King Mutara III Rudahigwa died in July 1959 in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi under highly suspicious circumstances. King Mutara III Rudahigwa is considered a Rwandan hero after his selfless activity struggle
to promote unity among Rwandans.
His half-brother, Kigeli V Jean Baptiste Ndahindurwa became the new king after his sudden death.
Activity 10.5
1. Discuss the systems of Ubuhake and Uburetwa.
2. In which year did King Mutara III Rudahigwa Charles die?
3. Which king replaced Mutara III Rudahigwa Charles?
4. Find out and discuss whether the Uburetwa and Ubuhake systems
are still present in Rwanda.
The role of the political parties in the struggle for independence
In the early fifties, political parties emerged in Rwanda with the aim of helping to acquire independence for the country.The political parties were:
1. Movement Social Muhutu (MSM)
The Hutu Social Movement was formed in 1957 by Grégoire Kayibanda.
Kayibanda wrote the Hutu manifesto which focused on social economic development but was highly divisive and encouraged hatred among Rwandans.
2. Association Pour la Promotion Sociale de la Masse (APROSOMA)
The party was formed by Joseph Gitera Habyarimana in 1957. The Association for the Social Promotion of the Masses (APROSOMA) was also divisive in nature. It focused on challenging the privileges initially reserved for certain Tutsi leaders, while at the same time claimed to seek independence for Rwanda.
3. Union Nationale Rwandaise (UNAR)
The Rwandese National Union Party was formed in 1959 by supporters, the mainly the Tutsi UNAR, and was known to be a strong supporter of the monarchy. It was led by François Rukeba. He wanted immediate independence for Rwanda.
4. Rassemblement Democratique Rwandais (RADER)
The Rwandese Democratic Union Party formed by the Chief Prosper Bwanakweri, in 1959. It was largely supported by the Tutsis. It was called the Tutsi Party, although it had many Hutu supporters.
5. Mouvement Démocratique Républicain (MDR-PARMEHUTU)
This party was based on tribal views, aimed at inciting the Hutu population against the Tutsi. The Rwanda Democratic Movement was formed by members of the MSM in 1959 and was led by its founding
member Gregory Kayibanda. It was equally divisive in nature and led to thousands of Rwandans to fleeing the country.
Reasons for the formation of political parties
Political parties were formed to:
• Open ways for independence.
• Contribute resources during the struggle for independence.
• Sponsor candidates during the struggle for independence.
• Provide leadership during the struggle for independence.
By November 1959, the political to struggle turned into political chaos among parties resulting in exile of the Tutsis to neighbouring countries.
10.7 Independence of Rwanda
An independent country is a country free from colonial rule. Rwanda gained Independence on 1 July 1962.
There were many internal and external factors which made Rwandans demand their independence:
Rwanda wanted her independence because:
• People were being mistreated and exploited by the Belgians.
• The Belgians were forcing them to grow cash crops for their home industries.
• Rwandans had developed patriotism.
• Educated Rwandan were able to rule their own country
• Rwandans had heard enough over exploitation by foreigners
• Rwandan who fought in the world wars no longer feared the colonolist
• African countries like Ghana had already got their independence and
this encouraged Rwandans to demand theirs.
Rwanda gained independence on 1 July 1962 and Greogoire Kayibanda became the first President of the independent Republic of Rwanda.
Activity 10.6
1. Who the first President of Rwanda after Independence.
2. Which political parties led Rwanda to Independence?
3. When did Rwanda get her Independence?
10.8 The Government of Rwanda
A government is a group of people given the executive power to rule a country.
A good government is important for promoting peace, unity and development.
Types of government in Rwanda
There are two systems of government in Rwanda:
Constitutional government
This is the type of government which operates under an authoritative document known as constitution
A constitution is a set of law which is used to govern a country. it helps to determine the nature, functions and limits of the government
Democratic government
This is the type of government in which people are allowed to elect of their leaders, but which is usually exercised through a system of representation and delegation of authority periodically renewed.
Organ of a government
There are three main organs of government
i) Executive.
ii) Legislature/Parliament.
iii) Judiciary.
i) Executive
This the branch or organ of the government which implements laws.
It consists of the:
• President
• Prime Minister
• Cabinet Ministers
• Civil servants.
The Executive is headed by the President of the Republic.
The President
• The president is the commander of chief of armed forces and also the
chair person of the council of ministers / cabinet of a country.
Functions of the Executive
The Executive performs the following functions.
• Implements laws.
• Collects and spends revenue.
• Protect people and their property.
• implements government policies.
• Maintains law and order.
Activity 10.7
1. What is a government?
2. Name the three organs of the government.
3. Who is the current president of the Republic of Rwanda?
4. Which ministry is responsible for
a) Education
b) Security
c) Infrastructure
ii) The Legislature
The Legislature is the branch of the government that makes laws.
The Legislature is divided into two chambers:
• The Upper Chamber is called the Senate and is made up of 26 members.
• The Lower Chamber is called the Chamber of Deputies and is made up of 80 members.
Functions of the Legislature
The Legislature performs the following functions.
• Makes laws
• Approves the National budget
• Checks the powers of the Executive
• Amends laws
• Keeps a check on how the government spends public money
Activity 10.8
Who is the Speaker of Parliament?
iii) Judiciary
The judiciary is the organ of government that interprets the law.
It punishes lawbreakers. It is made up of lawyers, magistrates, prosecutors and judges. The highest court is the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice.
Functions of the Judiciary
The judiciary performs the following functions.
• Interprets the law
• Punish the lawbreakers
• Settles disputes and conflicts in courts of law
• Protects the rights of citizens
Duties of the government
The government is responsible for providing different services to its people.Look at the pictures below.
The following are some of the responsibilities and duties of the government.
• Ensure that the rule of law is respected.
• Protect the rights of citizens.
• Uphold the Constitution.
• Protect citizens and their property.
• Ensure peace and security.
• Promote social services.
• Pay civil servants.
Activity 10.9
1. Discuss other duties of the government.
2. What can an individual be asked to contribute to the development of a country?
10.9 Revision exercise
1. Define colonialism.
2. Name the two European countries that colonized Rwanda.
3. Name the three groups of foreigners who came to Rwanda in the 19th century.
4. Give three reasons why missionaries came to Rwanda.
5. Give any two reasons why Rwandans resisted colonialism.
6. When did Rwanda get her Independence?
7. What is a government?
8. Match the following organs of the government with their duties.
Organ of the government Duty
i) Executive a) Interprets and enforces law
ii) Judiciary b) Makes laws
iii) Legislature c) Implement laws
9. Name the three positive effects of missionaries in Rwanda.
10. Give a reason why Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi were taken away from Germany.
11. Identify two countries in Africa that were not colonised.
12. Who was the first European explorer to come to Rwanda?
13. Which king of Rwanda died in Bujumbura Burundi in 1896?
14. What do you understand by the following terms:
a) Colony
b) Protectorate.
15. Why is king Mutara III Rudahigwa still remembered in the history of Rwanda.
End of year assessments
Sample test paper 1
1. How many provinces are there in Rwanda?
2. How many districts are there in Rwanda?
3. How many sectors are there in Rwanda?
4. Can you tell which provinces that boarder Kigali city province?
5. Draw a compass and name compass directions on it.
6. Which countries boarder Rwanda to the North, South, East and West?
7. Give five examples of human rights.
8. Name any three organisations that protect human rights in Rwanda.
9. Give any four consequences of disharmony in your province.
10. Write any four importance of keeping our province clean.
11. Give four examples of how we can keep personal hygiene.
12. Write any three symptoms of HIV/AIDS.
13. Give any three examples of sexually transmitted diseases.
14. Give any four symptoms of tuberculosis.
15. Give any three examples of National Symbols.
16. Give a reason why the Rwandan flag may be raised at half-mast.
17. What is a constitution?
18. What is a budget?
19. Why should we save money?
20. Write four examples of social services in your province
Sample test paper 2
1. Give four examples of important places in your province.
2. What is environment?
3. Write three ways in which we can protect our environment.
4. What is climate?
5. Give four examples of weither instruments.
6. What are the causes of population inclease?
7. What is population density?
8. Give four examples of means of transport.
9. Give four examples of means of communication.
10. a) Who colonised Rwanda?
b) When did Rwanda get indepandance.
11. List five political parties that were in Rwanda before Independance.
12. Explain what a constitutional government is?
13. List three organs of the government of Rwanda
14. a) Give two chambers of the Legislature.
b) How many member compose each chamber?
15. Give three examples of services that are given to the people by government.
16. a) What is the name of the highest court in the Republic of Rwanda?b) What is the title of a person that heads the highest court in Rwanda?
Glossary
Administration: The management of any office , business or organization
A forestation: The planting of trees where they never exist
Agro forestry: The growing of trees together with crops
Airfield: A small ground set aside for the plane to land and take off
Airport: A place where plains land and take off
Apologise: To ask for forgiveness
Bank: A social service center that provide financial transaction and services to its customers.
Basic needs: The most essential goods or services to make us live well.
Barometer: A weather instrument used to measure air pressure.
Border: A line separating two political or geographical areas, especially countries.
Bridge: A structure carrying a road, across a river, road, railroad, or other obstacle.
Climate: The weather condition of an area recorded over a long period of time.
Colony: A country taken over and owned by another powerful country.
Compass: An instrument used to show direction.
Communication: The sending and receiving of messages.
Community: A group of people leaving and working together.
Complementarity: The act working together in the community.
Conference: A big meeting which discuss important issues.
Currency: Money which belong to a particular country.
Deforestation: Cutting down of trees in a large number.
Democracy: A system of government where people freedom to participate in affairs of the government.
Destroy: put an end to the existence of something by damaging or attacking it
Disharmony: A situation where two more people are not in good terms.
Disobey: To not do what someone with authority tells you to do.
Education: The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university.
Element: A part of something especially one that is essential.
Extreme: Reaching a high or the highest degree.
Environment: The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives.
Election: The act or process of choosing someone for a public office by voting.
Forest: A group of tress.
Gender: The state of being male or female.
Harmony: A situation where people in the community are in good terms.
HIV: (Human Immunodeficiency virus ) this is the virus that causes AIDS.
Honest: Act of being truthful and sincere.
Humidity: The amount of water vapour in the atmosphere.
Hygiene: The cleanness of the body organs or a place.
Income: Total amount of money earn by a person or a family.
Injustice: Anything unfair that is done against a person.
Immunity: The ability of an organism to resist a particular infection by the action of specific antibodies or sensitized white blood cells.
Inheritance: Things pass on from parents to children.
Judiciary: The branch of government given the authority to interpret and apply the law, adjudicate legal disputes.
Justice: Fairness in protection of rights and punishment of wrongs.
Luxurious needs: Needs which are not very essential to life but help to improve the quality of living.
Market: Is where buying and selling take place.
Medical center: A place medical services is provided.
Missionary: A person who move from the country to other areas to spread and convert people to the religion.
Nation: A large group of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language living in a particular country or territory.
Needs: Something required to make us live well and comfortable.
North: The main cardinal point of a compass opposite to south .
Organization: A group of people who work together in an organized way for a shared purpose.
Over grazing: When animals feeds on all the vegetation cover leaving the soil uncovered.
Over population: This is when the number of people living in an area is more than the available resources .Peace: Freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility.
Pollution: Adding of harmful substance into the environment.
Population: The number of people living in an area.
Poor : Lacking sufficient money to live at a standard considered comfortable or normal in a society.
Private: Something belonging to or for the use of one particular person or group of people only.
Reforms: To make changes in something in order to improve it.
Resource: Anything that can be used to satisfy our needs.
Social services: Government services provided for the benefit of the community, such as education, medical care, and housing.
Soil erosion: The carrying away of top soil by agents.
South: The cardinal point of a compass opposite to north.
Trade: The buying and selling of goods.
Transport: The movement of people and their goods from one place to another.
Unity: Togetherness of people, groups and countries
Vaccinate: Treat with a vaccine to produce immunity against a disease.
Vaccine: Is a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular disease.
Weather: The state of the atmosphere at a place and time as regards heat, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain and cloud.Wind vane: An instrument used show the direction of wind.