Rusororo cemetery nears third fill-up

The cemetery was established in 2011 after Remera Cemetery in Gasabo District was permanently closed. Remera had been in use long before 1994, and by the time it closed, 9,525 burials had taken place on seven hectares of land. Since its opening, Rusororo Cemetery has accommodated 13,396 burials across 18 hectares.

Rwandan law sets specific standards for burial plots, including maximum dimensions and spacing between graves, and allows multiple burials in a single grave if the family consents. 

Despite these provisions, the remaining space at Rusororo is limited, prompting authorities to explore options for expansion. 

According to Anselme Nkusi, the Director of Cons Tech Ltd, which manages the cemetery, “The land we currently have will last about seven to eight months. When additional space is needed, the City of Kigali relocates nearby residents to create more room for burials.”

Cremation has been legally permitted for over ten years as a potential solution to land shortages, but adoption remains low among Rwandans, who are often reluctant to burn the remains of loved ones. Since the law was enacted, only 28 cremations have been performed in Rwanda, primarily by foreign residents accustomed to this practice in their home countries.

Authorities have also considered stacking two coffins in a single grave to maximize space, but cultural sensitivities have made this approach difficult. 

“We tried burying two people in one grave with family consent,” Nkusi said. “Some families initially agreed but later withdrew, insisting no additional burial should be added above. This illustrates the challenge of balancing practical needs with cultural preferences.”

Attitudes, however, appear to be shifting. A 2025 study by the Ministry of Unity and Civic Engagement found that 61 percent of respondents agreed that cremation could help address the growing shortage of burial space. 

Of more than 12,000 people surveyed, 32 percent strongly supported cremation, 29 percent moderately supported it, while 34 percent opposed it and 5 percent were undecided.