
The Bukunzi Kingdom, located in western Rwanda, has played a key role in the troubled history of the African Great Lakes region. Resisting Rwandan domination and foreign colonizers, it was led by King Ndagano Ruhagata, considered a “rainmaker” king. After his death in 1923, the kingdom went through a period of chaos and conflict, and was eventually conquered and incorporated into Rwanda. Understanding these historical conflicts is essential to grasp the current issues in the African Great Lakes region.