Kigeli IV of Rwanda

King Kigeri IV of Rwanda (actually Rwabugiri ) ruled the Kingdom of Rwanda from 1853 to 1895.

He came from the Tutsi ethnic group. He established an army equipped with guns and prohibited most foreigners from entering his kingdom.

Life

Rwabugiris rule was a tough regime for the previously semi-autonomous Tutsi and Hutu, their land was confiscated and their political power limited. Rwabugiri introduced a feudal system, especially after the Uburetwa against job performance had access to land. Of these, particularly the Hutu were affected, while the Tutsi were exempt from this system.

He also changed social structures and led an ethnic difference between the Tutsi and Hutu one that was based on historical social positions.

Thus, the polarization and politicization of ethnicity in Rwanda commenced even before the European colonization.