Introduction
Largest city of Burundi
This article is about the city Bujumbura. For provinces with this name, see Bujumbura Province.
Place in Bujumbura Province, BurundiBujumbura
Top, counterclockwise to the left: Bujumbura skyline, Monument to Independence Heroes, Regina Mundi Cathedral, Lake Tanganyika
SealNicknames: /ˌbʊdʒəmˈbʊrə/, /ˌbʊˈdʒʊmbʊrə/Interactive map of BujumburaBujumburaCoordinates: 3°21′46″S 29°21′56″E / 3.36278°S 29.36556°E / -3.36278; 29.36556Country BurundiProvinceBujumbura ProvinceFounded1871Government • GovernorAloys NdayikengurukiyeArea • Urban127 km2 (49 sq mi)Elevation774 m (2,539 ft)Population (2023) • City374,809  • RankWithin the five current provinces of Burundi, Bujumbura Province is ranked first in population density, making it the most densely populated province in the country. • Urban1,143,202 • Urban density8,510/km2 (22,030/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+2 (CAT)Gerographic22ClimateAwWebsitewww.mairiebujumbura.gov.bi
Bujumbura (French pronunciation: [buʒumbuʁa]; Kirundi pronunciation: [buʒuᵐbuɾa]), formerly Usumbura, is the economic capital, former political capital, largest city and main port of Burundi. It ships most of the country's chief export, coffee, as well as cotton and tin ore. Bujumbura was formerly the country's political capital. In late December 2018, Burundian president Pierre Nkurunziza announced that he would follow through on a 2007 promise to return Gitega its former political capital status, with Bujumbura remaining as economical capital and center of commerce. A vote in the Parliament of Burundi made the change official on 16 January 2019, and as of late 2025, the transition is still ongoing, having been estimated to end in 2022.[needs update]
History
[edit]
See also: Timeline of Bujumbura
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding missing information. (September 2024)
Bujumbura grew from a small village after it became a military post in German East Africa in 1889. After World War I it was made the administrative center and de facto capital of the Belgian League of Nations mandate of Ruanda-Urundi. The name was changed from Usumbura to Bujumbura upon Burundi's independence in 1962. Since independence, Bujumbura was the scene of frequent fighting between the country's two main ethnic groups, with Hutu militias opposing the Tutsi-dominated Burundi Army during the Burundian Civil War in the early 90s.
During the 1990s civil war, battles between Burundi's two main ethnic groups destroyed hospitals, administrative buildings, the University of Burundi, and other schools in the city, severely crippling the local economy. The Belgian colonial period left a significant architectural mark on the city centre, with buildings constructed in styles popular in Europe during the first half of the 20th century, including elements of Modernism and Art Deco, many of which remain visible in the historical centre today.
Geography
[edit]
Lake Tanganyika
Bujumbura is on the north-eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, the second deepest lake in the world after Lake Baikal. The city also lies at the mouth of the Ruzizi River and the smaller Mutimbuzi River, Ntahangwa, Muha and Kanyosha Rivers.
Climate[edit]
Bujumbura has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen: Aw) bordering on hot semi-arid (BSh). There are distinct wet and dry seasons; the wet season being from October to April. Being close to the equator, average temperatures in the city vary little over the year, though they are affected by its altitude. The high temperature is around 29 °C (84 °F) and the low around 19 °C (66 °F).
Climate data for Bujumbura (1961–1990, extremes 1950–1990)
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year
Record high °C (°F)
34.6(94.3)
35.0(95.0)
34.0(93.2)
35.0(95.0)
32.0(89.6)
32.0(89.6)
33.0(91.4)
33.0(91.4)
33.8(92.8)
34.3(93.7)
33.8(92.8)
34.8(94.6)
35.0(95.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)
29.1(84.4)
29.7(85.5)
29.3(84.7)
29.2(84.6)
29.9(85.8)
29.9(85.8)
29.2(84.6)
30.0(86.0)
30.9(87.6)
30.1(86.2)
29.1(84.4)
28.9(84.0)
29.6(85.3)
Daily mean °C (°F)
23.8(74.8)
23.8(74.8)
23.7(74.7)
23.9(75.0)
23.9(75.0)
23.3(73.9)
22.9(73.2)
24.0(75.2)
24.7(76.5)
24.6(76.3)
23.4(74.1)
23.6(74.5)
23.8(74.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)
19.2(66.6)
19.3(66.7)
19.3(66.7)
19.6(67.3)
19.1(66.4)
17.6(63.7)
17.2(63.0)
17.4(63.3)
18.6(65.5)
19.1(66.4)
19.1(66.4)
19.1(66.4)
18.7(65.7)
Record low °C (°F)
14.0(57.2)
15.4(59.7)
14.7(58.5)
15.1(59.2)
16.2(61.2)
13.9(57.0)
11.8(53.2)
13.0(55.4)
14.3(57.7)
14.0(57.2)
15.9(60.6)
15.0(59.0)
11.8(53.2)
Average rainfall mm (inches)
100.3(3.95)
85.7(3.37)
117.5(4.63)
111.9(4.41)
56.6(2.23)
8.9(0.35)
2.7(0.11)
13.4(0.53)
33.0(1.30)
59.0(2.32)
97.1(3.82)
99.6(3.92)
785.7(30.93)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm)
16
19
18
18
10
2
1
2
8
15
19
19
147
Average relative humidity (%)
77
75
78
79
76
67
63
60
62
68
76
77
72
Mean monthly sunshine hours
167.4
158.2
176.7
165.0
210.8
255.0
272.8
251.1
213.0
189.1
150.0
164.3
2,373.4
Mean daily sunshine hours
5.4
5.6
5.7
5.5
6.8
8.5
8.8
8.1
7.1
6.1
5.0
5.3
6.5
Source 1: World Meteorological Organization
Source 2: Deutscher Wetterdienst (mean temperatures 1950–1990, humidity 1953–1990, and sun 1951–1990)
Bujumbura panorama
Administration
[edit]
Downtown Bujumbura
A beach in Bujumbura on the north side of Lake Tanganyika
Bujumbura is governed by a community council and community administrator. Until 2025, it was further divided into three communes, or neighborhoods, each with its own council and council leader.
Before 2025, each of the three communes were created from the 13 former communes (currently sub-communes), due to a 2014 reorganization, which in turn are further sub-divided into villages or zones:
Commune of Muha
Kanyosha
Quarters: Gisyo-Nyabaranda, Gisyo, Musama I, Musama II, Musama III, Musama IV, Musama V, Nyabugete, Kizingwe-Bihara, Nkenga-Busoro, Ruziba, Kajiji
Kinindo
Quarters: Kibenga, Kinanira I, Kinanira II, Kinanira III, Kinanira IV, Kinindo, Zeimet-OUA
Musaga [sv]
Quarters: Gasekebuye-Gikoto, Gitaramuka, Kamesa, Kinanira I, Kinanira II
Commune of Mukaza
Buyenzi
Quarters: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII
Bwiza [fr; it; sv]
Quarters: Bwiza I, Bwiza II, Bwiza III, Bwiza IV, Kwijabe I, Kwijabe II, Kwijabe III
Nyakabiga [fr]
Quarters: Kigwati, Nyakabiga I, Nyakabiga II, Nyakabiga III
Rohero [sv]
Quarters: Centre Ville, Rohero I - Gatoke, Kabondo, Mutanga-Sud - Sororezo, Asiatique, I.N.S.S, Rohero II, Kiriri-Vugizo
Commune of Ntahangwa
Buterere
Quarters: Buterere I, Buterere II A, Buterere II B, Kabusa, Kiyange, Maramvya, Mubone, Mugaruro, Kiyange
Cibitoke [it]
Quarters: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII
Gihosha
Quarters: Gasenyi, Gihosha, Gikungu, Kigobe, Mutanga-Nord, Muyaga, Nyabagere, Taba, Winterekwa
Kamenge [fr]
Quarters: Gikizi, Gituro, Heha, Kavumu, Mirango I, Mirango II, Songa, Teza, Twinyoni
Kigobe
Quarters: Kigobe Nord, Kigobe Sud
Kinama
Quarters: Bubanza, Buhinyuza, Bukirasazi I, Bukirasazi II, Bururi, Carama, Gitega, Kanga, Muramvya, Muyinga, Ngozi, Ruyigi, SOCARTI.
Ngagara [sv]
Quarters: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, Industriel
Economy
[edit]
View of Bujumbura Market
See also: Markets in Bujumbura and Economy of Burundi
The Port of Bujumbura is the largest port on Lake Tanganyika.
Burundi depends on neighboring countries for access to the ocean.
Goods may be carried by road via Rwanda, or by the lake and then by road or rail via Tanzania, Congo or Zambia.
80% of Burundi's external trade is carried via the last three routes, using the Port of Bujumbura.
The port manages receipt and delivery of exports and imports, whether carried by ship or by truck.
As of 2011 more than 90% of cargo handled was imports, of which about 60% entered by ship and 40% by truck.
Bujumbura Central Market was in the city centre, along Rwagasore Avenue. During the 1993 ethnic violence in Burundi, citizens became less likely to travel far from the city centre, and markets in neighbouring communities lost their business to the central market.[citation needed]
At dawn on 27 January 2013 a serious fire ravaged the central market. Due to the poor emergency response, the fire lasted for hours, resulting in a serious blow to local exchanges. Hundreds of vendors, local and foreign, lost their goods to the fire and the reported looting.
Politics
[edit]
List of mayors of Bujumbura
Name
Took office
Left office
Notes
Gérard Kibinakanwa
1962
1967
Thérence Ndikumasabo
1967
1969
Pie Kanyoni
1969 1976
1975 1977
Charles Kabunyoma
1976
1976
Juvénal Madirisha
1977
1979
Germain Nkwirikiye
1979
1981
Lucien Sakubu
1981
1987
Léonidas Ndoricimpa
1987
1991
Arthémon Mvuyekure
1991
1992
Anatole Kanyenkiko
1992
1993
Léonce Sinzinkayo
1993
1994
Pie Ntiyankundiye
1994
2002
Pontien Niyongabo
2002
2005
Célestin Sebutama
2005
2007
Elias Buregure
2007
2007
Evrard Giswaswa
c. 2008
2012
Saidi Juma
c. 2012
2015
Freddy Mbonimpa
2015
2020
Jimmy Hatungimana
2020
2025
Under new territorial subdivision, list of governors of Bujumbura:
Name
Took office
Left office
Notes
Aloys Ndayikengurukiye
2025
Present
Wide panoramic view of Bujumbura
Sports
[edit]
Bujumbura is the location for the city's multisport Intwari stadium. Mainly used for football matches, it is the country's largest stadium with 22,000 seats.
The city is also home to many basketball and tennis courts, as well as a multitude of indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
The stadium was refurbished under a FIFA Forward-funded project and officially inaugurated on 31 January 2026. FIFA said the renovated venue’s capacity was 15,000 and that it now has an artificial pitch and floodlights.
Education
[edit]
View of the Kiriri campus buildings of the University of Burundi in Bujumbura
Along side the University of Burundi, Bujumbura also host aseveral other universities namely:
Hope Africa University
Université Paix et Réconciliation
Université des Grands Lacs "UGL"
Université du Lac Tanganyika "ULT"
Ecole Normale Supérieure "ENS"
Université Lumière de Bujumbura
Bujumbura International University "BIU"
International University of Equator
International Leadership University of Bujumbura
Université Ntare Rugamba of Bujumbura
Université Sagesse d'Afrique de Bujumbura
Université Martin Luther King
Institut Supérieur de Développement de Bujumbura "ISD"
École Nationale d'Administration "ENA"
Institut National de Santé Publique "INSP"
Institut Supérieur de Gestion des Entreprises "ISGE"
Institut Supérieur d'Ingénieurs et Cadres Techniciens en Génie Informatique, Télécommunications et Technologies Avancées "INITELEMATIQUE".
Bujumbura is also host to several international schools:
École Belge de Bujumbura (Belgian school)
École Française de Bujumbura (French school)
King's School (British school)
Bujumbura International Montessori School
Burundi English School (English Language School)
Cubahiro International School
International Maarif Schools of Burundi (Turkish school)
Transport
[edit]
Bujumbura International Airport
The Bujumbura International Airport is situated on the outskirts of the city.
Public transport in Bujumbura mainly consists of taxis and mini-buses, locally known as the Hiace. Public transport vehicles are generally white and blue.
Central Market minibus station
Bujumbura's taxis are abundant all over the city, and are considered the safest form of transportation. There are taxi-motos (motorcycle taxis) and taxis-vélos (bicycle taxis), although they are only available in certain parts of the city.
For long-distance travel, locals prefer to take the many Hiace full-size vans, which travel regularly across Burundi. Bujumbura's main bus terminal is located by the Central Market.
Health
[edit]
Bujumbura is also home to many clinics along with the province's main hospitals:
Prince Regent Charles Hospital,
Roi Khaled Hospital
Kamenge Military Hospital
Kira Hospital
Polyclinique Centrale de Bujumbura
Tanganyika Care Polyclinic
CMCK
Places of worship
[edit]
Regina Mundi Cathedral
Among the places of worship are predominantly Christian churches and temples:
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bujumbura (Catholic Church),
Province of the Anglican Church of Burundi (Anglican Communion)
Union of Baptist Churches in Burundi (Baptist World Alliance)
Assemblies of God.
There are also Muslim mosques scattered across the city.
Culture
[edit]
Bujumbura's main attractions are its many museums, parks and monuments. Museums in the city include the Burundi Museum of Life and the Burundi Geological Museum. Other nearby attractions are the Rusizi National Park, the Livingstone-Stanley Monument at Mugere (where David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley visited 14 days after their first historic meeting at Ujiji in Tanzania), the presidential palace and the source of the southernmost tributary of the Nile, described locally as the source of the Nile.
Bujumbura was also home of the independent weekly radio programme Imagine Burundi, the country's first locally produced English-language programme that focused on stories about life in the region. The show was broadcast from September 2010 to August 2013, and recordings are archived on the show's website at imagineburundi.com.
Demographics
[edit]
Bujumbura is projected to be the fourth fastest growing African continent city between 2020 and 2025, with a 5.75% growth.
Twin towns and sister cities
[edit]
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Bujumbura is twinned with:
Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand
Corigliano Calabro, Italy
Notable people
[edit]
Jeanne Gapiya-Niyonzima, activist
Leonard Tangishaka, basketball player
