Campaign Against Genocide Museum

The Campaign Against Genocide Museum sits inside the grounds of Rwanda's Parliament, in the building that was once the Conseil National de Développement. From 28 December 1993 it housed RPF politicians and a protection force of 600 RPA soldiers sent under the Arusha peace process. When the genocide began in April 1994, those troops were based here, and the museum tells what happened next. It was opened by President Paul Kagame on 13 December 2017.

Inside, the exhibitions are modern and well lit, with photographs, audio-visual displays and Rwandan design touches such as imigongo patterns. They explain the political events that led to the genocide, including the role of hate media such as RTLM and the Kangura newspaper, and then follow the campaign that the RPA fought after UN troops withdrew: stopping the killing, rescuing people who were trapped, and defeating the genocidal forces across the country.

The outdoor area is a large part of the visit. Monuments show soldiers in combat, and a monument built around a 12.7mm machine gun recalls the weapon that helped hold back advancing genocidal forces. Reconstructed L-shaped bunkers represent the tunnels dug by the RPA while they were encamped here, and sandbag shelters recall the positions shared with UN forces guarding the peace talks. You can still see why this building mattered so much in those weeks.

The museum is part of the national museums network run by the Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy, which lists daily hours of 9am to 5pm, from noon on Umuganda Saturdays, and closure on 7 April, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Admission is paid through Irembo. Plan on 60 to 90 minutes, and since the building stands within the parliamentary compound, expect security checks on arrival.

It is roughly 800 metres from the Kigali Convention Centre roundabout and about ten minutes by car from Kigali International Airport, so it fits easily into a day that also takes in the convention centre and the Kimihurura restaurants. Visiting after the Kigali Genocide Memorial gives a fuller picture of 1994, though the subject matter is heavy and many visitors space the two out.