In today's digital age, while social media serves as a tool for sharing ideas and promoting businesses, it is also misused to distort historical facts and spread misleading narratives.
To help provide a clearer understanding of Rwanda's true history, we've compiled a list of books that offer valuable insights into the nation's past, from its foundation to its post-genocide rebirth.
These books are available in various libraries in Rwanda and accessible via online bookstores.
1. Imizi y'u Rwanda (Umutumba wa Mbere, 2013)
Written by Jean de Dieu Nsanzabera, Imizi y'u Rwanda (Roots of Rwanda) is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the origins of Rwanda.
It describes how Rwanda was founded, through the unification of 29 kingdoms, and the significant efforts of the kings of Gasabo in creating a unified nation.
The book details the historic agreement made in Nkotsi and Bikara (Musanze), which led to the formation of Rwanda.
This 440-page book is packed with details about the heroic struggles for Rwandan unity and the leaders who fought to preserve it.
2. Ibitaramo ku Mateka y'u Rwanda by Kagiraneza Zephyrin
This book, written by Kagiraneza Zephyrin and published in 1990, traces the history of Rwanda from its creation. It discusses the country's borders at that time, the advent of white people, how its territories were taken away through deceit, and its early foreign diplomacy.
3. History of Rwanda: From the Beginning to the End of the 20th Century by the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission
This book was published by the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission in 2016, under supervision of Déo Byanafashe in collaboration with Paul Rutayisire.
It traces the origins of German influence in Rwanda and how they were later replaced by the Belgians, who immediately began efforts to divide the country and its people, leading Rwandans to realize that their situation had drastically changed.
The book also focuses on Rwanda's history from the early 20th century until its end, examining the lives of Rwandans, politics, social relations, and development. It particularly highlights the impact of colonialism and how it sowed divisions, which ultimately led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
4. A Thousand Hills: Rwanda's Rebirth and the Man Who Dreamed It by Stephen Kinzer
In this book, author Stephen Kinzer, published in 2008, focuses extensively on Rwanda's journey after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, highlighting the leadership of President Kagame, whose visionary approach enabled the country to rebuild and emerge stronger, leading to the Rwanda we see today.
Kinzer discusses Kagame's early life, from being born and then sent into exile at just four years old, to developing revolutionary ideas that eventually led to the struggle for the country's liberation. He also details Kagame's role in halting the Genocide against the Tutsi.
The author further explores the journey of unity and reconciliation, as well as Rwanda's development. Anyone who reads this book will gain a clear understanding of the political transformations, particularly the recent history of Africa.
5. Defeat Is the Only Bad News: Rwanda Under Musinga (1896-1931) by Alison Liebhafsky Des Forges
This book, written by Alison Liebhafsky Des Forges and published in 2011, focuses primarily on the reign of King Yuhi V Musinga and examines the colonial era during his reign, extending into the early 20th century.
Des Forges highlights the difficult times King Musinga faced, as the Belgians arrived during his rule and sought to impose their colonial ideas and governance on the Rwandan people.
The book explores the origins of the divisions in Rwanda that ultimately led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
6. Stepp'd in Blood: Akazu and the Architects of the Rwandan Genocide Against the Tutsi by Andrew Wallis
In this book, published by Andrew Wallis in 2018, the focus is on the history of Juvénal Habyarimana's regime and the members of the 'Akazu,' (inner circle) a group largely composed of his family members, including his wife Agatha Kanziga, his brothers-in-law, and others known for their key roles in planning and executing the Genocide against the Tutsi.
The book delves into both the direct and indirect involvement of the Akazu members, their propaganda efforts, and their illicit business activities, including trading in precious minerals, drugs such as cocaine, trafficking of gorilla babies, and their role in the death of Dian Fossey, who had conducted research on gorillas.
Additionally, Wallis examines how the international community stood by while the Genocide against the Tutsi unfolded, failing to intervene or stop it.
This book provides a thorough understanding of the political landscape that led to the 1994 Genocide, which resulted in the deaths of over a million Tutsi.
7. Rwanda Before the Genocide: Catholic Politics and Ethnic Discourse in the Late Colonial Era by J.J. Carney
This book authored by Carney, focuses extensively on the significant role the Catholic Church played in the governance of Rwanda, particularly its involvement in politics and ethnic divisions before the Genocide against the Tutsi.
The author investigates the Church's collaboration with the colonizers and its role in the establishment of ethnic classifications and the ideologies associated with them.
He examines how these factors ultimately contributed to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
8. L'État Français et le Génocide des Tutsis au Rwanda by Raphaël Doridant and François Graner
This book focuses on the role that France played in the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
The author explains that France supported Habyarimana's government both politically and militarily, which made the preparation and execution of the genocide possible.
The book discusses France's actions both before and during the Genocide, as well as its post-genocide involvement.
It argues that these actions led Rwanda into a period of darkness, causing immense destruction and turning the country into a site of devastation.
Additionally, the book explores the roles of other countries in Rwanda's history and their conduct during the Genocide against the Tutsi.
9. The Struggle for Liberation: War and Militarism in African History by John Burton Kegel
This book by John Burton Kegel was published in 2025. It discusses Rwanda from its roots, covering the periods before independence, as well as the administrations of Habyarimana and Kayibanda.
The book also explores the birth of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (FPR Inkotanyi), the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA), and the launch of the struggle to liberate the country. It traces the journey of Rwanda's reconstruction after the Genocide against the Tutsi.
10. Intwari z'Imbanza, zubatse u Rwanda rugahamya igitinyiro (Umutumba wa mbere, 2018)
This is one of the comprehensive books that documents the history of Rwanda, authored by the expert in Rwandan culture and history, Jean de Dieu Nsanzabera. The book covers the significant events in the history of the foundation of Rwanda (1091-2017).
It provides a thorough overview of the country's evolution, from its establishment to its eventual decline and subsequent rebirth. It details how the process of building Rwanda was planned, implemented, and where it stands today, highlighting the contributions of those who shaped the nation during their time.
The book serves as a guide for those seeking to understand the history of each king who ruled Rwanda over the course of 870 years (1091-1961) and the impact of their reigns.
It also covers the actions taken by the Presidents after the monarchy transitioned to a republic. The history is traced from the era of King Gihanga Ngomijana to the time of President Paul Kagame, who was in power when this history was documented.
11. Les conditions de vie des Tutsi au Rwanda de 1959 à 1990 : Persécutions et massacres antérieurs au génocide de 1990 à 1994 by Antoine Mugesera
This book, written by Antoine Mugesera and published in 2015, focuses on the severe conditions that the Tutsi population endured between 1959, when they began to face persecution, killings, and displacement, and 1990, when those in exile decided to launch the struggle for the country's liberation, allowing refugees to return home.
Antoine Mugesera, along with Kayitesi Judence who co-authored this work, were recently recognized as one of the top writers in 2025.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/history/article/eleven-books-that-reveal-rwanda-s-truth
