Former Ngororero palace to be tourist site

Plans are underway to revamp an expanse of land on a hill in Ngororero district, on which a palace of King Kigeli IV Rwabugiri was built in the 19 Century.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Count Von Gu00f6tzen (L), who is said to be the first German to visit Rwanda, met King Kigeli IV Rwabugili (R) towards the end of the 19 Century at a hill, commonly known as ku....

Plans are underway to revamp an expanse of land on a hill in Ngororero district, on which a palace of King Kigeli IV Rwabugiri was built in the 19 Century.The hill, known as Kageyo, is a historical monument, having been the venue where Count Von Götzen met King Kigeli IV Rwabugili towards the end of the 19 Century.Götzen, who is said to be the first German to visit Rwanda, was heading a contingent of 620 soldiers, according to historical archives.He met with the King at the hill, commonly known as "ku mukore wa Rwabugiri” located in Kageyo sector.Located around 10 kilometres from the district office, Kageyo hill is said to be one of the most famous and useful historical marks of Rwanda.Ministry advisesThe district mayor, Gedeon Ruboneza, said the Minister of Sport and Culture, Protais Mitali, visited the place and advised that the site be levelled and cultivated in the meantime as the ministry looks for modalities of developing a structure in the place.Ruboneza said there are so many improvements which have already been done in this regard."We first of all thought of developing infrastructure whereby we have rehabilitated the road from Ngororero district offices, which passes through the site and the electricity will be supplied to the area in two months,” Ruboneza said.Among the plans to make the place more attractive, he says they plan to construct there a hotel which may accommodate the tourists.Though the hotel is an expensive venture, the district mayor is optimistic that the advocacy, which is being carried out to different stakeholders, will yield positive results.