Kigeli V Ndahindurwa
Kigeli V Ndahindurwa (born Jean-Baptiste Ndahindurwa; 29 June 1936 – 16 October 2016) was the last ruling King (Mwami) of Rwanda, from 28 July 1959 until the end of the UN-mandate with Belgian administration and the declaration of an independent Republic of Rwanda 1 July 1962. On 25 September 1961, a referendum voted for the abolition of the Rwandan monarchy following the Rwandan Revolution.
| Kigeli V Ndahindurwa | |
|---|---|
Kigeli V shortly before his death, at the National Liberal Club in London | |
| Mwami of Rwanda | |
| Reign | 28 July 1959 – 28 January 1961 |
| Predecessor | Mutara III Rudahigwa |
| Successor | Yuhi VI (in pretense) |
| Born | 29 June 1936 Kamembe, Ruanda-Urundi |
| Died | 16 October 2016 (aged 80) Washington D.C., U.S. |
| Burial | 15 January 2017 Nyanza District, Rwanda |
| Clan | Abanyiginya |
| Father | Yuhi V Musinga |
| Mother | Mukashema Bernadette |
| Religion | Catholicism |
After a brief period of moveabouts after leaving Rwanda, the titular King lived in exile during the final part of his life in the town of Oakton, Virginia, United States. In exile, he was known for heading the King Kigeli V Foundation, an organisation promoting humanitarian work for Rwandan refugees. He was also notable for his activities in maintaining the dynastic, cultural heritage of his formerly reigning royal house, including noble titles, dynastic orders of chivalry and other distinctions.
After the king's death, a successor was said to be shortly revealed. In January 2017, it was announced that Yuhi VI would succeed him. Yuhi VI is the nephew of both the late King Kigeli V and the previous King Mutara III, as well as a grandson of King Yuhi V.