The town of Butare was created in 1920. At that time, it was called "Astrida", a name deriving from Astrid, the queen of Belgians. Butare was the capital city of the former Rwanda-Urundi territory under the Belgian supervision. It is now the second town in Rwanda after Kigali, the Capital city.

Butare town is located in the Urban commune of Butare Prefecture (see map of Rwanda). Ngoma commune has an area of 38 km2. Its relief is essentially made of hills and valleys which characterize the central plateau to which it belongs.

Butare is known for its contribution in the promotion of education. The National Univerisity of Rwanda is found in Butare together with many secondary schools:

• Le Groupe Scolaire Officiel de Butare (GSOB)
• L'ecole sociale de Karubanda
• L'ecole agricole et veterinaire de Kabutare
• Le Petit Seminaire de Butare
• Le Petit Seminaire Baptiste
• L'ecole secondaire des parents (CEFOTEC)
• L'ecole autonome de Butare

• The Pharmacopoeia centre
• The energy centre
• The centre for Rwandese studies

• The National Museum of Rwanda is important as far as archelogy and ethnology are concerned;
• The Ruhande arboretum has many local and exotic species;
• Gihindamuyaga at about 10 km in the North of Butare town is important for its handicracft workshop; goldsmith's, gift-shops and its local jam factory.