[2] Rilima is located in Bugesera District, Eastern Province, south of Kigali, the national capital and the largest city in the country.

[6] Among the institutions found in or near the town is the Centre Orthopédique Sainte Marie Rilima (Saint Mary's Othopedic Hospital Rilima), a 70-bed orthopedic hospital that specializes in treating pediatric orthopedic problems, including club foot, bow-legs and others.

[7][8] Another institution found in the town, is the Rilima Prison, which holds over 7,400 inmates, the majority of whom are awaiting trial.

[9] The Rilima Health Centre is an outreach healthcare facility that distributes food to nutritionally vulnerable women and children.

[10] The most recent institution to come to Rilima is Bugesera International Airport, whose construction started in August 2017,[11] and completion of the first phase is expected in 2019.