[1] After Burundi attained full independence on 1 July 1962, there was a military coup d'état in which the king was overthrown and monarchy disbanded in 1966.

[3] In March 2007, President Pierre Nkurunziza announced that Burundi had plans to transfer the capital from Bujumbura to Gitega.

According to him, the central location of the city makes it "an ideal place to better serve the majority of the population".

[8] As of June 2000, 21,350 people were located in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, housed in 16 settlements within the province.

[9] The climatic condition in Gitega, the capital of the province is moderate with an average annual high of 18 degrees c 18 °C (64 °F) and a low of 12 °C (54 °F).

Exhibits consist of drums, dance and musical instruments, baskets, calabashes weaponry, and tools used in sorcery.

[17][18] The royal palace is located on a hill top 45 miles away from Gitega; it contains a traditional art museum.

The sanctuary's objective is to preserve and popularize the Burundian culture particularly the role of the drum in its history.

[22] Also in the province are a craftwares village and the Gitega Art School of ceramics, paintings and sculptures.

The Chutes de la Kalera, close to Rutana, is a natural scenic attraction during the rainy season.