“Ingando” is taken from the Rwandese verb "Kugandika" that refers to halting normal activities to reflect on, and find solutions to national challenges. In ancient Rwanda, Ingandos were first developed by the military. Whenever Rwanda By the advent of colonialism, it was a well entrenched practice. As Rwanda sank deeper into postcolonial conflict the institution of Ingando lost its relevance and was no longer practiced. Moreover, the royal institutions, which had held Rwanda together for centuries were abolished. faced disasters (wars, natural calamities etc), the Mwami (King) mobilized and prepared the population through Ingandos.

When the NURC was established, it formally developed Ingando as a tool to build coexistence within communities. The first beneficiaries were ex - combatants from the DRC. The programme later expanded to include school going youth and students at secondary and tertiary levels. By 2002, the training was extended to informal traders, and other social groups including survivors, prisoners, community leaders, women and youth.

Today, Ingandos are carried out countrywide and most are co-facilitated with communities. The provincial and local administrations provide assistance with logistics. The NURC and its partners provide accommodation and meals and transportation is usually covered by the participants. Ingandos entail residential camps, bringing together between 300 and 400 people per programme for between 3 weeks to 2 months depending on time available and focus of the sessions. The numbers also vary, although at each prison release, 1000 prisoners undergo Ingando. Topics are covered under five central themes: analysis of Rwanda’s problems; history of Rwanda; political and socioeconomic issues in Rwanda and Africa, rights, obligations and duties and leadership.

Approximately 3000 pre-University students undergo Ingando each year. A National IngandoCenter was built in Nkumba, Northern Province as a permanent facility house the programmes. It is a large and modern facility with the capacity to accommodate up to 900 residents. It has a state of the art conference room equipped with the latest visual-audio equipment, a modern kitchen and dining facility, a spacious sports field, self-contained dormitories, a library and an administrative, the Center will also serve as a Peace Center for the country.