The Catholic Institute of Kabgayi was founded in 2002 by the Catholic Diocese of Kabgayi under the name Université Catholique de Kabgayi (UCK). It was given recognition by the Ministry of Education by Convention of Allocation N° 001/03/2003 concluded between the Government of Rwanda via the Ministry of Education and the Catholic Diocese of Kabgayi. What started as Université Catholique de Kabgayi became Institut Catholique de Kabgayi by the Ministerial Order N° 03/08.11 of 04/02/2010 promulgated in Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda N° 08 of 22/02/2010. The Institute obtained accreditation or Definitive Operating Licence by the decision of the Cabinet on March 24th, 2010.