July 25, 1959 was the day all Rwandans remember the death of King Mutara III Rudahigwa, who Belgian colonialists killed in Bujumbura, Burundi.

In March 1911, a son was born in the royal family of Yuhi V Musinga and Radegonde Nyiramavugo Kankazi in Rwesero village of current Nyanza District, Southern Province.

He was called Nkubito y&039;Imanzi Rukabu.

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Many people knew or have heard of Rudahigwa, but there are so many special things few people know about him as he was a unique Rwandan King.

July 25 is a day that elders consider, in Rwandan history, as the day of King Mutara III Rudahigwa because he had a lot to do with the rapid changes that occurred in Rwandan history, after his death.

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Let’s take a look at some of those key things about this exceptional Rwandan king.

King who had many names

Rudahigwa has a record of many names: Mutara III Rudahigwa Charles Léon Pierre Nkubito y’Imanzi Cyusa Rukabu.

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Others who had many names are Ruganzu Ndoli Rugambirabagabo Cyitatire of Mutabazi, Rugambirirabahunde of Muhumuza, and Mibamwe II Sekarongoro II Gisanura Mabokataziganya Rugabishabirenge.

Each of Rudahigwa's names had a meaning

Mutara III is a royal name, although he served in the army of Yuhi V Musinga.

Rudahigwa is his personal name, after ascending to the throne.

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Rudahigwa comes from the word "higa" which means to be unmatched. Rukabu was a name given to him for being fearless, or bold, and being brave whenever necessary.

Nkubito y'Imanzi and Cyusa were names given to him for being handsome, cheerful, and courageous. He was baptized Charles Leon Pierre.

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Leon was from Leon Classe his Christian mentor. Pierre was from the Congo-Rwanda-Urundi Govornor Pierre Rychmans. Charles was from Prince Charles of Belgium.

The first Rwandan King who had few wives

Among all the kings who preceded him, Rudahigwa had only two wives, and at different times.

However, in the past, all wives were called the King's concubines, and kings such as Kigeli IV Rwabugili, Kigeli III Ndabarasa, and Mutara II Semugeshi, had many wives.

King Rudahigwa’s first wife was Nyiramakomali, who he married on October 15, 1933, and later divorced her after eight years to marry Rosalie Gicanda.

It is said that they separated because she could not bear a child; the King’s heir. Another reason advanced was religious differences and Nyiramakomali’s refusal to convert to Christianity while Rudahigwa was a Catholic.

The second wife, Gicanda, agreed to be baptized and named Rosalie, but she, too, never had any children.

King Rudahigwa was unusually tall

Although Rwandan kings were generally tall, Mutara III Rudahigwa was one of the tallest. Towering over the chiefs, servants, white men, and other leaders who approached him, he was two and a half meters tall.

Rudahigwa’s death in Bujumbura

King Rudahigwa faced strong opposition from Belgian colonialists, and the Catholic Church which promoted his opponents.

Towards the end of his journey on earth, the King made some trips to Europe, mostly Belgium and then Germany – the latter angered the colonial masters.

Under colonial rule, Belgians who feared Rwanda’s resilience and bravery imported soldiers from Congo-Belge to serve as bodyguards and security officers.

He had a plan to train a modern Rwandan artillery, a plan which would be discovered by the Belgians prematurely.

King Mutara III Rudahigwa was born in March 1911 and died at the age of 48.

He reigned for 18 years.

A national hero

King Mutara III Rudahigwa is one of the heroes of Rwanda.

He is in the Imena category of national heroes reputed for their extraordinary acts for the country which are characterized by supreme sacrifice, high importance, and example. He was put in the category because he fought for Rwanda's independence, among others.

During his rule, Rudahigwa advocated for the welfare of Rwandans, independence, democracy and fought against injustice.

He is also remembered for his support to education through the Mutara education fund but most importantly he is remembered for abolishing Ubuhake in 1954.

His reign was characterized by the construction of roads, compulsory growing of food crops, reforestation to combat drought, plantations of tea, and coffee, and mining, among others.

He abolished "Ikiboko”, a violent supervisory system where Rwandans were forced by colonialists and their collaborators to work in plantations, during which they were beaten and punished in violent ways.

Rudahigwa also created the Mutara Fund which helped build schools and pay school fees for Rwandan children. Most Rwandan schools were built after the 1950s when he embarked on developing Rwandan education.

Brief: Who was King Mutara III Rudahigwa?