Gitega

Gitega, town in central Burundi that serves as the country’s political capital. The town lies about 40 miles (65 km) east of Bujumbura, the country’s economic capital. For centuries Gitega was the seat of the Burundian mwami (king) and the capital of the kingdom of Burundi. It also served as an administrative center when Burundi was under colonial rule.

Gitega functions as a center for religion and education. It has primary, secondary, technical, and vocational schools and places of worship for Muslims, Roman Catholics, and Protestants. Industrial enterprises in Gitega include a livestock market, peat exploitation, and a tannery. The National Museum, featuring exhibits on history and art, is also located there.

In 2007 the Burundian government announced plans to eventually move the national capital from Bujumbura to Gitega, and in 2019 Gitega was officially designated as the country’s political capital. Though the government’s move to Gitega was expected to be concluded in or about 2022, it was not, and the transition efforts, including the construction of new government offices, continued in the following years.

Gitega is situated on Burundi’s central plateau. Most of the surrounding area is devoted to livestock (cattle, goats, and sheep) grazing and the growing of such crops as bananas, peanuts (groundnuts), sweet potatoes, cassava (manioc), beans, corn (maize), sorghum, and coffee. Pop. (2008) town, 41,944; (2008) commune, 155,005; (2024 est.) commune, 273,078.