Four senators who were appointed by President Paul Kagame in October 2020 are set to complete their five-year terms on Wednesday, October 22.

They are Jean-Pierre Dusingizemungu, Epiphanie Kanziza, André Twahirwa, and Evode Uwizeyimana.

All of them are completing their first term in the Upper House. According to Rwanda’s constitution, senators—whether elected or appointed—serve a five-year term, renewable once.

This implies that they stand a chance to be re-appointed.

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The President has constitutional powers to appoint eight out 26 senators in the upper house. The usual practice is that he appoints four senators at the start of a new Senate term, and the remaining four a year later.

The current Senate term began in September 2024, with President Paul Kagame appointing four senators in that month: François Xavier Kalinda, Bibiane Mbaye Gahamanyi, Usta Kaitesi, and Solina Nyirahabimana.

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Presidential appointments and structure of Senate

Rwanda’s Senate is composed of 26 members, as outlined in Article 80 of the Constitution. The composition includes 12 senators elected by specific electoral colleges based on national administrative entities; eight senators appointed directly by the President of the Republic; and four senators designated by the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations (NFPO).

It also features two senators elected by academic and research staff from public and private higher learning institutions (one from each), holding at least the rank of Associate Professor.

Additionally, according to the Constitution, former Heads of State who completed their terms or resigned voluntarily may become senators upon request and approval by the Senate Bureau.

The appointment of eight Senators by the President of the Republic has to give particular consideration to the principles of national unity, the representation of historically marginalised groups, and any other national interests.

Overall, at least 30 per cent of senators – elected or appointed – must be women, as per the constitution.

While four senators nominated by the National Consultative Forum for Political Organisations in Rwanda (NFPO) are subject to approval by the Supreme Court, the senators appointed by the President are not.

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The Senate's core mandate

One of the Senate’s principal responsibilities is to uphold the fundamental principles of the Republic of Rwanda, as stipulated in Article 10 of the constitution. These include preventing and punishing the crime of genocide; combating genocide denial and ideology; eliminating all forms of discrimination and divisionism; promoting national unity and equitable power-sharing; and upholding the rule of law and democratic governance.

There is also ensuring gender equality in leadership roles, including the constitutional mandate for women to hold at least 30 per cent of decision-making positions; advancing social welfare and equal access to justice; and promoting dialogue and consensus in national decision-making.

Who can be a senator?

To be eligible for appointment or election as a senator, candidates must meet relevant criteria, including the following: