The accusation was made in an official statement carried by North Korean state media, reflecting growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
According to the North Korean military, its forces used special electronic warfare assets to bring down a South Korean drone flying over a border town on Sunday.
North Korea claims the unmanned aircraft was equipped with two cameras that filmed unspecified areas inside the North, which Pyongyang considers a direct violation of its sovereignty.
South Korea’s Defense Ministry quickly rejected the allegation, saying it did not operate drones on the dates cited by North Korea.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has ordered a thorough investigation into the North’s claims.
The dispute comes as South Korea’s liberal government under President Lee seeks to restore diplomatic ties with the North, a goal that has been hampered by repeated military provocations and distrust.
North Korea has largely refused talks with Seoul and the United States since high‑stakes nuclear diplomacy collapsed in 2019 amid disagreements over international sanctions.
Drone flights have been a recurring source of friction between the Koreas. Both sides have previously accused each other of airspace violations involving unmanned aerial vehicles in recent years, contributing to long‑standing security pressures along the border.
It is Lee’s first visit to China since he took office, and the two heads of state have met twice and conducted reciprocal visits, reflecting the importance both sides attach to China-ROK relations.
ENHANCING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
China has consistently placed relations with the ROK high on its regional diplomatic agenda and maintained continuity and stability in its policy toward the ROK, Xi said, adding that China is willing to work with the ROK to firmly uphold the direction of friendly cooperation, adhere to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, promote bilateral strategic partnership along a healthy path, effectively enhance the well-being of both peoples, and contribute positively to regional and global peace and development.
Xi called on both sides to enhance mutual trust, respect each other’s development paths, accommodate each other’s core interests and major concerns, and resolve differences properly through dialogue and consultation.
Lee said the ROK side hopes to use the first head-of-state diplomatic meeting of the year as an opportunity to consolidate the momentum of the comprehensive recovery and development of bilateral relations, seek common ground while reserving differences, deepen the ROK-China strategic cooperative partnership, and open a new chapter of bilateral relations.
He emphasized that the ROK respects China’s core interests and major concerns, and adheres to the one-China principle.
Dong Xiangrong, senior fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that head-of-state diplomacy has played a significant guiding role in China-ROK relations, sending a clear positive signal to foster better bilateral ties, and greatly contributing to deepening political mutual trust and promoting economic and trade cooperation.
In the future, both sides need to accommodate each other’s major concerns including the Taiwan question, and maintain a stable cooperative relationship as important trading partners, Dong said.
ACHIEVING MORE COOPERATION RESULTS
China and the ROK share close economic ties with industrial and supply chains deeply interwoven, and the bilateral cooperation is mutually beneficial, Xi said.
He said the two countries should further align their development strategies, strengthen policy coordination, expand the pie of common interests, and achieve more cooperation results in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, green industries, and the silver economy.
Bilateral economic and trade cooperation has played a positive role in the economic and social development of both countries, Lee said, noting that the ROK looks forward to seizing the opportunities brought by China’s 15th Five-Year Plan to achieve more results in practical cooperation with China.
After their talks, Xi and Lee witnessed the signing of 15 cooperation documents in fields including scientific and technological innovation, ecological environment, transportation, and economic and trade cooperation.
Yang Xiyu, a researcher from the China Institute of International Studies, said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the ROK, bilateral economic and trade cooperation has always been the stabilizer and propeller of the development of bilateral relations.
He said China and the ROK should leverage their long-standing traditional advantages, and strengthen cooperation with a focus on economy, trade, and technology.
BEARING RESPONSIBILITIES IN PEACE, DEVELOPMENT
China and the ROK shoulder important responsibilities in maintaining regional peace and promoting global development, and share a wide range of common interests, Xi said, noting that the two countries should firmly stand on the right side of history and make the right strategic choices.
More than 80 years ago, the two peoples made tremendous national sacrifices and won the victory against Japanese militarism, he said, adding that the two countries should join hands to safeguard the fruits of the victory in World War II and protect peace and stability in Northeast Asia.
As beneficiaries of economic globalization, China and the ROK must work together to oppose protectionism and practice true multilateralism, contributing to the advancement of an equal, orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial, inclusive economic globalization, Xi said.
Lee said the ROK is willing to strengthen its multilateral coordination with China and contribute to global prosperity and development, and wishes China every success in hosting this year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
Dong said amid the recent resurgence of Japanese militarism, China and the ROK should share a common position to maintain regional peace, and the two sides need to jointly address protectionism and defend free trade.
The Extraordinary Meeting of the Specialized Committee of Defense Experts of the ICGLR is expected to lay the groundwork for the Extraordinary Meeting of Chiefs of Defense Forces/Staff scheduled for Friday, followed by the Extraordinary Meeting of the Committee of Ministers of Defense on Saturday.
The meetings aim to forge a unified and coordinated regional response to the security situation in eastern DRC.
Among the key issues under consideration are the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+), the terms of reference for the ceasefire, and the oversight and monitoring mechanism signed in Doha.
In his opening remarks, Zambia Army Commander Geoffrey Zyeele said the security challenges facing the region call for strengthened collective efforts, deeper information sharing, and enhanced coordinated cross-border operations.
He noted that armed groups have continued to destabilize peace and security in the region, describing the challenges as immense. “Only through unity of purpose and decisive action can we overcome these destabilizing forces and secure a future of lasting stability for the Great Lakes Region,” Zyeele said.
Zyeele added that the humanitarian situation in eastern DRC remains precarious, requiring urgent attention, as families are being displaced and communities continue to live under constant threat.
Yasir Ibrahim Ali Mohammed, deputy executive secretary of the ICGLR, said the humanitarian and security situation in eastern DRC has deteriorated significantly, threatening the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states and risking peace and stability.
He expressed concern that the situation has worsened following the signing of the Washington Agreements last month, intended to reaffirm commitments to peace and prosperity.
“This underscores the urgent need for all parties to respect their engagements and honor the commitments they have made under regional and international agreements,” he said.
The meeting, he added, is a response to an escalating crisis that demands collective and decisive action.
Xi made the remarks when meeting with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin in Beijing. The Irish prime minister is on an official visit to China from Jan. 4 to 8.
Both China and Ireland cherish peace, embrace openness and inclusiveness, and strive for self-reliance and progress, Xi said, adding that the Chinese and Irish people won national independence and liberation through struggles and are advancing toward modernization through sustained efforts of successive generations.
Since the establishment of the China-Ireland strategic partnership for mutually beneficial cooperation in 2012, bilateral trade volume has quadrupled, with a balanced development in mutual investment, he noted.
Xi said the two countries should maintain friendly exchanges at multiple levels and across diverse fields, continuously enhance communication and mutual understanding, accommodate each other’s core interests and major concerns, consolidate political mutual trust, and solidify the political foundation of bilateral relations.
Over the next five years, China will continue to promote high-quality development and expand high-standard opening up. Xi said China is willing to strengthen economic and trade cooperation with Ireland, align development strategies in fields such as artificial intelligence, digital economy, and medicine and healthcare, promote two-way investment, leverage each other’s strengths, share opportunities and pursue common development.
The two sides should enhance cooperation in education, culture and tourism to foster greater people-to-people affinity, and China welcomes more Irish youth to come to China for study and exchanges, Xi said.
In a world beset with changes and chaos, unilateral and bullying acts are severely undermining the international order, Xi said. All countries should respect the development paths chosen by the peoples of other nations, and abide by international law as well as the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, he said, stressing that major countries should particularly take the lead in doing so.
As China and Ireland support multilateralism and advocate international fairness and justice, the two countries should strengthen coordination and cooperation in international affairs, and jointly maintain the authority of the United Nations and make the global governance system more just and equitable, he said.
Xi said China and the EU should bear the long-term picture in mind, uphold the positioning of partnership, and view and handle differences objectively and rationally to work for win-win cooperation.
As Ireland will hold the rotating EU presidency in the second half of this year, China hopes Ireland will play a constructive role in promoting the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations, the Chinese president said.
Highlighting a profound and long-lasting friendship between the two countries, the Irish prime minister said Xi’s successful visit to Ireland in 2012 had laid a solid foundation for the development of the Ireland-China strategic partnership for mutually beneficial cooperation in recent years.
Martin said Ireland firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and is committed to developing the strategic partnership for mutually beneficial cooperation.
Ireland is willing to deepen cooperation with China in trade, investment, science and technology, biomedicine, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, education and other fields, he said.
Martin commended China’s indispensable and important role in international affairs and its positive contributions to upholding the authority of the UN and promoting world peace.
He said that any international dispute should be settled in conformity with international law, and Ireland is willing to maintain close communication and coordination with China, safeguard international law, uphold free and open trade, and promote world prosperity and stability.
Noting that the stable development of EU-China relations is of great significance, Martin said the Irish side is willing to play a constructive role in promoting the healthy development of EU-China relations.
Starting with Trump’s “America First” slogan, the statement said they comprised of 31 UN entities and 35-non UN organizations.
According to the list published on the White House website, most of the targets are UN-related agencies, commissions and advisory panels focusing on climate change, global governance, labor and other issues that the Trump administration has categorized as promoting diversity and “woke” agenda.
The United States will withdraw from UN organizations, including the UN Economic and Social Council’s panels for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific, and Western Asia, as well as the International Law Commission, the International Trade Centre, and UN Trade and Development.
Among the non-UN organizations are the 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact, the Global Counterterrorism Forum, the Global Forum on Migration and Development, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the International Renewable Energy Agency; as well as the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combatting Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia.
Jan. 20 will mark the first anniversary of Trump’s second presidential term. Since returning to the White House nearly one year ago, Trump has announced plans to quit the World Health Organization, the Paris climate agreement and the UN cultural agency UNESCO. He also cut U.S. funding for the UN, stopped U.S. engagement with the UN Human Rights Council, and extended a suspension of funding for the Palestinian relief agency UNRWA.
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump said in a post on his Truth Social that he is doubting whether NATO would come to the U.S. defense when it is needed, two days after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that a U.S. military attack on Greenland could effectively end the military alliance.
Speaking to reporters at a daily briefing, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the UN chief had just concluded a meeting with Venezuelan UN ambassador Samuel Moncada, which lasted about 45 minutes.
“During the meeting, the secretary-general reiterated his publicly-stated position on the U.S. military action in Venezuela,” said Dujarric.
In remarks to the UN Security Council on Monday, delivered on his behalf by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, Guterres said he was “deeply concerned about the possible intensification of instability in the country, the potential impact on the region, and the precedent it may set for how relations between and among states are conducted.”
“I remain deeply concerned that rules of international law have not been respected with regard to the Jan. 3 military action,” said the UN chief, who also called on all Venezuelan actors to engage in an inclusive, democratic dialogue in which all sectors of society can determine their future.
In the early hours of Jan. 3, U.S. military forces carried out a series of strikes on Venezuela, taking by force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, before putting them in custody in New York, which sparked widespread condemnation.
According to a statement from the presidency issued by its spokesperson Massere Toure, the decision followed the legislative elections held on Dec. 27, 2025, after which the prime minister submitted his resignation and that of his government to the president.
“The president of the republic on Wednesday, Jan. 7, signed several decrees,” the statement said, noting that the first decree terminated the functions of the prime minister and members of the government.
“Pending the appointment of a new prime minister and new members of the government, the outgoing prime minister and members of the government will be responsible for handling current affairs,” the statement added.
Following the presidential election on Oct. 25, 2025, the legislative elections held on Dec. 27 resulted in Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace, the ruling party led by Ouattara, winning a majority of seats in the National Assembly.
The U.S. attack on Venezuela and its so-called “management plan,” as analysts observed, is in essence a testament to its scheme to expand the “Donroe Doctrine,” a Trump-modified version of the Monroe Doctrine aimed at controlling the Western Hemisphere and plundering its resources.
“RUNNING” OR PLUNDERING VENEZUELA
Trump told a press conference on Saturday that the United States will set up a working group composed of diplomatic and military personnel to “run” Venezuela until “a safe, proper and judicious transition.”
He also threatened that the United States is “not afraid” to have military forces on the ground and will launch a larger second wave of strikes against Venezuela if necessary.
Although the specific plan remains unclear at present, the so-called “running” by the United States is essentially an attempt to conduct substantive intervention in Venezuela through political manipulation and resource control, experts have noted.
Allan Fajardo, a sociologist at the Honduran National Autonomous University, told Xinhua that there are two possibilities for the so-called “transitional management” by the United States.
One is to maintain the current government and institutional framework of Venezuela in form and continue to interfere in Venezuela’s internal affairs by exerting political and economic pressure.
The other possible method is to foster a pro-American regime directly, without even ruling out the possibility of larger-scale military intervention and occupation of Venezuelan territory in the future, he said.
Trump also mentioned at the press conference that large American oil companies will enter Venezuela to repair severely dilapidated oil infrastructure and start generating revenue.
Cao Ting, director of the Research Center for Latin American Studies at Fudan University, said that judging from the consistent style of the Trump administration, its strategic goal might be to control the oil lifeline within Venezuela by fostering U.S. proxies in the country without engaging in a long-term occupation.
This so-called “running” model is not focused on improving people’s livelihoods or rebuilding the country, but on seizing resources, said Jaime Tamayo, an international relations specialist and political scientist from the University of Guadalajara.
It will lead to the depletion of Venezuela’s governance capacity, the separation of administration and security, the deterioration of public security and the breeding of violence, scholars have said.
POST-MADURO VENEZUELA
According to the Venezuelan Constitution, if the president is “absolutely absent,” power will be transferred to the vice president and a general election will be held within 30 days.
However, Venezuela’s Supreme Court of Justice did not announce that Maduro is “absolutely absent,” although it has ordered Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to immediately take over as acting president after Maduro’s capture, which, according to media analyses, suggests that there might be no general election within 30 days.
Experts believe that Rodriguez and her brother are currently important representatives of the left-wing forces, with relatively moderate positions.
In a televised speech on Saturday, Rodriguez took a tough stance toward the United States, condemning its actions as unprecedented military aggression and saying that Venezuela will never become a colony of any country or a slave of any empire, despite Trump’s earlier claim that she has promised to do what the United States wanted.
Tamayo believes that the current left-wing political forces in Venezuela and their social foundation remain relatively stable, making it difficult for the United States to break the country’s existing political pattern in a short time. It may adopt a strategy of provoking division to win over some senior political or military figures in Venezuela.
LATIN AMERICA ON HIGH ALERT
“Today it’s Venezuela, tomorrow it could be anyone else,” Chilean President Gabriel Boric said on Saturday, raising alarm across Latin American countries over the hegemonic interference of the United States.
Latin American experts and media outlets believe that the U.S. action against Venezuela aims to create a “chilling effect” to deter the regional countries and is an upgraded version of the “Monroe Doctrine.”
Jose Ignacio Martinez, an international relations specialist from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, said that Washington is highlighting its overbearing logic to arbitrarily define who can become the president and which is a “legitimate country,” while casually labelling relevant countries and leaders as “terrorists,” “drug dealers,” or “dictators.”
Leaders of Brazil, Mexico, Cuba, Honduras and Chile, among others, have publicly condemned the United States and called on the international community to take urgent action.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva condemned the U.S. military’s actions as “unacceptable,” saying that they violated Venezuela’s sovereignty and set a dangerous precedent.
The U.S. actions strike at the core of national sovereignty and have raised concerns even among some opposition forces in Venezuela. Under mounting pressure, Latin American countries may seek greater unity and self-reliance to counter hegemony, according to analyses by Latin American media.
Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, speaking on a state-run television station, said the whereabouts of Maduro and his wife are unknown, asking for proof they are alive.
The U.S. military action against the South American nation has drawn widespread international condemnation, with multiple countries calling for a coordinated global response.
WHAT HAPPENED?
A Xinhua correspondent based in Caracas reported early Saturday morning that low-flying aircraft were spotted, and clouds of smoke were seen following loud explosion sounds in the Venezuelan capital.
Photos and videos circulating on social media showed smoke rising from multiple locations in the capital, with residents seen fleeing in the streets.
Reports said brief power outages occurred in some areas, including a military base in Caracas.
According to media reports, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had banned U.S. commercial flights from Venezuelan airspace due to “ongoing military activity” shortly before the explosions were reported.
Hours after the incident, CBS White House correspondent Jennifer Jacobs said that U.S. President Donald Trump had ordered the strikes, citing U.S. officials. FOX News also reported that U.S. officials had confirmed the military action.
Following the attacks, Venezuela condemned the incident as “military aggression” by the United States. The Venezuelan government said that the military strike targeted civilian and military sites in at least four states of the country, including Caracas, as well as the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, adding that the U.S. action blatantly violated the United Nations Charter.
Later in the day, Trump in a Truth Social post that Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out of Venezuela.
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” Trump said in the post.
For months, the United States has maintained a significant military presence in the Caribbean, much of it off Venezuela’s coast, purportedly to combat drug trafficking — a claim Venezuela has denounced as an attempt to bring about regime change in Caracas.
WIDESPREAD CONDEMNATION
Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Saturday called for an urgent meeting of the Organization of American States and the United Nations on the attack in Venezuela. “Caracas is currently being bombed … Venezuela has been attacked,” he wrote on social media platform X.
On the same day, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel condemned what he described as the “criminal U.S. attack” against Venezuela, demanding an urgent response from the international community.
In a social media post, the president said that the Latin American region was being brutally assaulted, and “this is state terrorism against the brave Venezuelan people and against Our America.”
Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that the United States committed “an act of armed aggression” against Venezuela, which causes deep concern and condemnation.
Konstantin Kosachev, deputy speaker of Russia’s Federation Council, said the U.S. military operation against Venezuela has no legitimate basis as the South American country has posed no threat to the United States.
Kosachev stressed that the international order should be based on international law rather than on so-called rules imposed by individual countries. He said international law has clearly been violated, adding that “an order established in this manner must not prevail.”
Kosachev also said he believed that most countries would firmly distance themselves from the attack on Venezuela and condemn it.
Also on Saturday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the U.S. military attack against Venezuela as a “flagrant violation” of the Latin American state’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
It said the U.S. military attack against Venezuela was an “act of aggression and in clear violation” of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law, which bans the use of force against sovereign states.
It called on the United Nations as well as all governments caring about the rule of law and international peace and security to immediately and explicitly condemn the U.S. attack.
The Spanish Foreign Ministry on Saturday also said that Spain calls for a deescalation as well as moderation and respect for international law in Venezuela.
From ancient sacred forests linked to spiritual rituals and royal courts to hills that once cradled thriving kingdoms, these places capture the heart of Rwanda’s story, deep traditions, vibrant culture and enduring spirit.
While there is no official ranking of the nation’s top historic sites, the eleven we have selected stand out for their ability to illuminate Rwanda’s remarkable journey, each revealing a unique chapter of its roots and ongoing evolution.
Many more sites deserve mention, yet these eleven bring the past to life most powerfully, highlighting who Rwandans are today. Join us as we explore these extraordinary places, discovering together Rwanda’s layered history, timeless traditions, and the lives of the people who shaped it.
{{1. Karongi museum of environment }}
In the lakeside town of Karongi, overlooking Lake Kivu, stands the Museum of the Environment, one of the eight museums under the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda.
The first of its kind in Africa, it explores renewable and non-renewable energy sources while promoting harmony between people and nature.
Spread across two floors with interactive exhibits, it also features a rooftop herbal garden that celebrates Rwanda’s traditional healing heritage.
More than a museum, it serves as an educational centre helping visitors understand and protect their environment. It is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
{{2. Buhanga Eco-Park}}
[Buhanga Eco Park->https://en.igihe.com/tourism/article/inside-buhanga-eco-park-where-nature-meets-rwanda-s-royal-legacy], a 31-hectare forest located eight kilometers west of Musanze in the Nyakinama community, is a place where nature and history intertwine. Recently integrated into Volcanoes National Park, it holds deep cultural significance in Rwanda’s monarchy.
The name Buhanga, meaning “creation,” recalls its sacred past, legend says Rwanda’s first king, Gihanga, founded the kingdom here, and for centuries, kings were crowned in this very forest. Its untouched beauty, protected by its sacred status, features towering Ficus and Drago trees, lava-stone paths, and vibrant birdlife.
Walking through Buhanga feels like stepping into Rwanda’s living history, a tranquil sanctuary where nature and ancient royal heritage coexist in perfect harmony.
{{3. Kamegeri Rock }}
[Kamegeri Rock->https://en.igihe.com/history/article/when-the-evil-falls-in-own-trap-the-story-of-kamegeri-rock], located in Ruhango District, is one of Rwanda’s most symbolic historic sites.
It is named after Kamegeri, a local chief and trusted servant of King Mibambwe II Gisanura, who ruled around 1600.
Known for his wisdom, Kamegeri earned the king’s favor but later misused his influence by proposing a cruel punishment, burning traitors on a red-hot rock.
To teach a lesson in justice and humility, the king ordered Kamegeri to suffer the same fate on the very rock he had chosen. His story remains a moral reminder that cruelty and arrogance can lead to one’s downfall.
{{4. Ndaba Rock }}
[Ndaba Rock->https://en.igihe.com/history/article/when-greed-is-overwhelming-the-tale-of-ndaba-rock], located about 20 kilometers from Karongi on the road to Muhanga, is one of Rwanda’s most captivating cultural sites. It is named after Ndaba, a man who died tragically after succumbing to greed.
According to legend, Ndaba was lowered into a honey-filled rock by his friends but chose to eat the honey himself instead of sharing. Angry, his companions abandoned him, and when he tried to climb out, his weight and the slippery rock caused him to fall to his death.
The site remains a powerful symbol against selfishness and attracts visitors with its scenic beauty, waterfalls, and storytelling traditions.
{{5. Huye Ethnographic Museum }}
The Ethnographic Museum in Huye, which has existed since the late 1980s, stands as one of Africa’s finest cultural museums.
Its seven galleries take visitors on a journey through Rwanda’s heritage, from geography and geology to daily life, craftsmanship, and tradition.
Exhibits display tools used in farming, pottery, weaving, and woodwork, alongside traditional clothing and architectural methods. The museum also highlights the social importance of cattle, whose royal descendants still graze in nearby Nyanza.
The final gallery immerses visitors in Rwanda’s customs, beliefs, and oral traditions, while the adjoining craft centre keeps these timeless skills alive.
{{6. Mu Bisi bya Huye kwa Nyagakecuru (Nyagakecuru residing in Huye mountains) }}
High in the mountains of Huye District, Southern Rwanda, once lived an old woman named Nyagakecuru, remembered for her defiance against King Kigeli IV Rwabugili in the 18th century.
While others bowed to royal authority, she refused to submit or send tributes to the king. From her fortified home atop Mount Huye, she was guarded by a massive snake said to protect her from attacks.
After repeated failures to capture her, the king sent her fifty goats as a trick. The goats devoured her thorny fence, leaving the snake homeless. It had no choice but to flee.
Seizing the moment, Rwabugili’s soldiers stormed the mountain and captured her, ending her rebellion.
{{7. Kandt House Museum }}
In the heart of Kigali lies the home of Richard Kandt, the German explorer who founded the city in the early 1900s.
Now the Kandt House Museum, it offers an intriguing glimpse into Rwanda’s colonial encounter and transformation. Through its rooms, visitors trace the shift from pre-colonial life to modern urbanization.
{{8. Mwima Mausoleum}}
A short drive from Nyanza, the Mwima Mausoleum sits quietly among trees, its simplicity befitting the dignity of its occupants.
Here lie King Mutara III Rudahigwa and Queen Rosalie Gicanda, whose lives and legacies shaped Rwanda’s modern identity.
When you stand at Mwima, you can see Rwesero, Rukari and Mushirarungu hill next you.
{{9. ‘Ku Kirenge cya Ruganzu’ – The royal footprint }}
In the hilly Rulindo District, about an hour from Kigali, stands a striking sculpture of a muscular man holding a bow and spear, said to depict King Ruganzu II Ndoli, who ruled Rwanda from 1510 to 1543.
Known as Ku Kirenge (“at the footprint”), the site hosts the Ikirenge Cultural Centre, where a rock bearing Ruganzu’s supposed footprint is displayed.
Guides eagerly point out the marks of his toes and heel, astonishing visitors with the legend’s vivid yet believable detail.
{{10. Akarwa k’abakobwa — The Girls’ island }}
Among Rwanda’s legendary islands is Akarwa k’Abakobwa, the Island of Girls, once a place of banishment for unmarried pregnant girls, seen as a disgrace to their families.
Tradition held that parents would present the girl to the king, who ordered her sent to the island to die in isolation. Sometimes, fishermen from nearby Idjwi Island rescued and married them, while others perished, their fate unknown.
The story instilled fear against premarital sex. Today, the island’s silence remains, now serving as a peaceful grazing ground for Rwanda’s famous swimming cows.
{{11. Campaign Against Genocide Museum }}
In the heart of Kigali’s parliamentary complex stands the Campaign Against Genocide Museum a solemn tribute to courage and unity.
Through powerful displays, visitors retrace the Rwandan Patriotic Army’s heroic efforts to stop the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and restore peace.
