Rwanda: Solutions proposed for cemetery overcrowding

Following the closure of Nyamirambo Cemetery due to overcrowding, the Kigali City Administration is seeking solutions for the dwindling availability of burial land.

Among the proposed alternatives are cremation and the construction of large mausoleums, similar to practices in other countries.

Earlier this week, Nyamirambo Sector Administration issued a letter to RIP Company Ltd, the entity responsible for Nyamirambo Cemetery, ordering a halt to all burial activities as the cemetery has reached full capacity.

Signed by Nyamirambo Sector Executive Secretary, Uwera Claudine, the letter cited repeated warnings and inspections showing that graves were encroaching on roadways.

The letter further instructed the company to post signage indicating the cemetery’s closure to inform the public.

Nyamirambo Cemetery, which has been in use since 2018, currently holds over 1,600 graves. As burial land becomes scarcer, city officials are calling for consideration of alternative methods.

Kigali City spokesperson Emma Claudine Ntirenganya, in an interview with RADIOTV10, emphasized the growing demand for land in the city and the need to educate Rwandans on other burial options such as cremation and constructing large burial houses for the long term.

Kigali currently has over 30 cemeteries, but the issue of land scarcity for burials is ongoing.

In April, a parliamentary report highlighted that despite the cremation law being passed 10 years ago, cemeteries continue to fill up.

MP Hon. Ruku Rwabyoma suggested that land designated for burial could be repurposed for agriculture, stating, “We should rethink our approach. Let’s be bold like other countries, learn from them, and adopt progressive practices.”

Currently, Rwanda lacks cremation facilities, and societal acceptance of cremation remains low, with many Rwandans still preferring traditional burial practices.

Rwanda: Inama zitangwa nyuma y’uko bigaragaye ko amarimbi azaba ikibazo