{{Other uses}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox settlement <!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage--> | official_name = Muhanga City | other_name = Gitarama | native_name = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English --> | nickname = | settlement_type = City | motto = | image_skyline = GitaramaCityCropped.jpg | imagesize = 300px | image_caption = Central Muhanga | image_flag = | flag_size = | image_seal = | seal_size = | image_shield = | shield_size = | image_blank_emblem = | blank_emblem_type = | blank_emblem_size = | image_map = | mapsize = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Rwanda | pushpin_label_position = bottom | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Rwanda | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = 25px Rwanda | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = Southern Province | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Muhanga District | subdivision_type3 = Sectors | subdivision_name3 = Nyamabuye and Shyogwe | subdivision_type4 = City | subdivision_name4 = Gitarama City Council | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = | leader_title1 = | leader_name1 = | leader_title2 = | leader_name2 = | leader_title3 = | leader_name3 = | leader_title4 = | leader_name4 = | established_title = <!-- Settled --> | established_date = | established_title2 = <!-- Incorporated (town) --> | established_date2 = | established_title3 = <!-- Incorporated (city) --> | established_date3 = | area_magnitude = | unit_pref = | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | area_total_sq_mi = | area_land_sq_mi = | area_water_sq_mi = | area_water_percent = | area_urban_km2 = | area_urban_sq_mi = | area_metro_km2 = | area_metro_sq_mi = | area_blank1_title = | area_blank1_km2 = | area_blank1_sq_mi = | population_as_of = 2022 census | population_footnotes = <ref name= "pop">[http://www.citypopulation.de/en/rwanda/cities/ Citypopulation.de] Population of the major cities in Rwanda</ref> | population_note = | population_total = 82797 | population_density_km2 = | population_density_sq_mi = | population_metro = | population_density_metro_km2 = | population_density_metro_sq_mi = | population_urban = | population_density_urban_km2 = | population_density_urban_sq_mi = | population_blank1_title = Ethnicities | population_blank1 = | population_blank2_title = Religions | population_blank2 = | population_density_blank1_km2 = | population_density_blank1_sq_mi = | timezone = | utc_offset = | timezone_DST = | utc_offset_DST = | coordinates = {{coord|2|5|3|S|29|45|5|E|type:city_region:RW|display= inline,title}} | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | elevation_ft = 5945 | postal_code_type = | postal_code = | area_code = | blank_name = Climate | blank_info = Aw | blank1_name = | blank1_info = | website = }} thumb|People in Muhanga District thumb|Omega Express in South Rwanda '''Muhanga''' (former '''Gitarama''', renamed in 2006<ref>{{cite book |author1=Briggs, Philip |author2=Booth, Janice |title=Rwanda |url=https://archive.org/details/rwanda0003brig |url-access=registration |year=2006 |publisher=Bradt Travel Guides |isbn=978-1-84162-180-7 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/rwanda0003brig/page/38 38]–}}</ref>) is a city in Rwanda, in the Muhanga District, in Southern Province. The city is situated {{convert|5945|ft|m}} above sea level.<ref>[http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i= elevation+of+gitarama%2C+rwanda Elevation of Gitarama, Rwanda]. Wolframalpha.com. Retrieved on 10 June 2017.</ref>
Though officially part of the Southern Province, Muhanga is geographically located in central Rwanda, approximately {{convert|45|km|mi}} by road southwest of Kigali, Rwanda's capital and largest city.<ref>[http://distancecalculator.globefeed.com/Rwanda_Distance_Result.asp?fromplace= Gitarama%20(Gitarama)%20&toplace= Kigali%20(Kigali)&fromlat= -2.0744444&tolat= -1.9536111&fromlng= 29.7566667&tolng= 30.0605556 Road Distance Between Kigali And Gitarama With Map]. Distancecalculator.globefeed.com. Retrieved on 10 June 2017.</ref> This location lies approximately {{convert|85|km|mi}}, north of Kibeho, in Nyaruguru District, the southernmost district in Southern Province.<ref>[http://distancecalculator.globefeed.com/Rwanda_Distance_Result.asp?%20fromplace= Gitarama%20(Gitarama)&toplace= Kibeho%20(Gikongoro)&fromlat= -2.0744444&tolat= -2.6513889&fromlng= 29.7566667&tolng= 29.5525 Map Showing Muhanga And Kibeho With Distance Marker]. Distancecalculator.globefeed.com. Retrieved on 10 June 2017.</ref> The provincial headquarters at Nyanza in Nyanza District lie about {{convert|40|km|mi}}, by road, directly south of Muhanga.<ref>[http://distancecalculator.globefeed.com/Rwanda_Distance_Result.asp?fromplace= Gitarama%20(Gitarama)%20&toplace= Nyabisindu%20(Gikongoro)&fromlat= -2.0744444&tolat= -2.3580556&fromlng= 29.7566667&tolng= 29.7386111 Road Distance Between Muhanga And Nyanza With Map]. Distancecalculator.globefeed.com. Retrieved on 10 June 2017.</ref>
==Overview== Muhanga is the fourth-largest city in Rwanda and the capital and largest metropolitan area in the district of Muhanga. Due to its geographical location, the city serves as the gateway to the west and south of the country. During the 1994 Rwandan genocide, Muhanga was the seat of the provisional government.
==Amenities== The city has many amenities, including the ones listed below:<ref>[https://maps.google.com/maps?hl= en&q= 18.6000S%2C%2030.0000E&aq= f&aqi= &bav= on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw= 1093&bih= 514&wrapid= tlif134073427857310&um= 1&ie= UTF-8&sa= N&tab= wl Major Points of Interest In Gitarama]. Maps.google.com. Retrieved on 10 June 2017.</ref>
; Administration and public safety
* The offices of Muhanga District Administration * The offices of Muhanga District Council * The offices of Gitarama City Council * Gitarama Police Station * Gitarama City Jail * Muhanga District Prison * Muhanga High Court Building
; Educational institutions
* St. Leon Minor Seminary, Kabgayi * Kabgayi Major Seminary * St. Joseph Primary School * St. Joseph Secondary School * St. Elizabeth Nurses & Midwives College * Kabgayi Technical College * Kabgayi Catholic Institute * Catholic University of Rwanda * Gitarama Adventist Secondary School * St. Marie-Reine Secondary School * Groupe Scolaire de Nyabikenke * College de Karambi * College Adventiste de Gitwe
; Public services * Kabgayi Hospital * Gitarama Regional Stadium * Gitarama Bus Station * Muhanga Cultural Center
; Economy * Muhanga Farmers' Market * A branch of Inkingi Microfinance Limited * Three branches of Bank of Kigali * A branch of Ecobank Rwanda * A branch of Fina Bank Rwanda * A branch of Banque Populaire du Rwanda SA * Zipline delivers supplies from Muhanga to medical centres around the area using drones * Idembe Heritage: Restaurant, accommodation and Rural life experiences * ''Hotel Splendid'', a private hospitality establishment.<ref>Schlumpf, Heidi. (8 August 2011) [http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/rwanda-kabgayi-diocese-hotel-splendid-best-taxpayers-muhanga Hotel Splendid Best Taxpayer In Muhanga District]. Ncronline.org. Retrieved on 2017-06-10.</ref>
; Religion
* Kabgayi Minor Basilica * St. Andrew's Pastoral Center * Muhanga Zion Temple * St. Andrew's Church
==Population== The 2022 national census put the city's population at 85,000.<ref name= "pop"/>
==Notable people==
* Dominique Mbonyumutwa * Tatiana Mukakibibi * Godeliève Mukasarasi * Fred Rwigyema
==See also== * Districts of Rwanda * Provinces of Rwanda
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Populated places in Rwanda Category:Muhanga District Category:Southern Province, Rwanda