Grégoire Kayibanda

president of Rwanda

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

Grégoire Kayibanda was Rwanda's first president, leading the Party for Hutu Emancipation. His leadership was instrumental in the 1959 peasant revolt, which aimed to overthrow the monarchy and transfer political power to the Hutu population. Following communal elections in 1960 and a coup in January 1961 with Belgian approval, an all-Hutu provisional government was established. By the time Rwanda gained independence in July 1962, the revolution had largely succeeded, leading to the flight of thousands of Tutsi people from the country. The current president of Rwanda is Paul Kagame.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

6 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Juvénal Habyarimana
Education, military career, and 1973 coup
Grégoire Kayibanda. A civilian-military government was established, of which Habyarimana became president.
Read More
Grégoire Kayibanda. A civilian-military government was established, of which Habyarimana became president.
Read More

Rwanda
Independence and the 1960s
Under the leadership of Grégoire Kayibanda, Rwanda’s first president, the Party for Hutu Emancipation (Parti du Mouvement de l’Emancipation du Peuple Hutu) emerged as the spearhead of the revolution. Communal elections were held in 1960, resulting in a massive transfer of power to Hutu elements at the local level.…
Read More
Under the leadership of Grégoire Kayibanda, Rwanda’s first president, the Party for Hutu Emancipation (Parti du Mouvement de l’Emancipation du Peuple Hutu) emerged as the spearhead of the revolution. Communal elections were held in 1960, resulting in a massive transfer of power to Hutu elements at the local level.…
Read More