Gitega

Gitega
Gitega
Location in Burundi
Coordinates: 3°26′S 29°54′E / 3.433°S 29.900°E / -3.433; 29.900
Country Burundi
Province Gitega Province
Elevation 1,504 m (4,934 ft)
Population (2012)[1]
  Total 22,989

Gitega (formerly Kitega) is the second largest city in Burundi, lying east of Bujumbura.

Overview

It is the capital of Gitega Province, one of the 17 provinces of Burundi. It is the home of the Burundi's National Museum of Gitega and the Archdiocese of Gitega. Several karyenda royal drum sanctuaries are located in the area, as well as the ibwami (royal court).

History

A street in Gitega

On 29 April 1972, Ntare V of Burundi, the country's last Mwami (King), was killed in Gitega.

Capital city

In March 2007, President of Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza announced that Burundi was planning to bring back its capital city to Gitega, saying that it is in a better location for a capital than Bujumbura.[2]

Transportation

Gitega was served by Gitega Airport, which is now defunct.

See also

References

  1. "World Gazetteer". Archived from the original on 2013-01-11.
  2. "Gitega Soon to Become the Capital of Burundi", AllAfrica.com, 27 March 2007, retrieved 15 February 2010

Coordinates: 03°26′S 29°54′E / 3.433°S 29.900°E / -3.433; 29.900

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