Queen Rosalie Gicanda Grave Editorial Photo

Queen Dowager Rosalie Gicanda (died 20 April 1994) was the wife of Rwandan Mwami Mutara III of Rwanda. After her husband died in mysterious circumstances in 1959, the Rwandan monarchy lasted only two more years, coming to an end in 1961. However, the Queen continued to live in Butare in Butare Province, Rwanda along with her mother and several ladies-in-waiting. On 20 April 1994, as the Rwandan Genocide began in earnest in Butare, a detachment of soldiers commanded by Lt. Pierre Bizimana, acting under the orders of Capt. Idelphonse Nizeyimana, kidnapped the queen along with others from her house. They then took the captives behind the National Museum and shot them.