The recently departed parliamentarian Fidel Rwigamba, was "a respected person, a man of integrity, a loving father, a patriot and a friend to all,” and his death on February 15 was described by his fellow lawmakers as a loss of a great advisor to the country. And, to his family and friends, Rwigamba was so much more than his day job and the title he held.

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MP Rwigamba, who was also a member of RPF-Inkotanyi, died, on February 15, of illness at the age of 73 at King Faisal Hospital where he was receiving treatment.

Dating back to his high school days at Ntare School in Uganda, Rwigamba always embodied a patriotic spirit that sheltered the hopes and dreams which he and his family would one day return to Rwanda, after having lived in exile for over 30 years -- a dream he was able to realise.

Rwigamba and his family were proud members of a wide diverse friend group "Isangano" -- which is intended to ensure a hospitable, friendly community.

"Rwigamba was a good neighbour and he made us feel like family. His great advice and friendship will be missed,” said Jane Gatera, a close friend and member of Isangano.

Rwigamba is survived by four children -- three sons and a daughter.

For his son Jean Paul Rwigamba, the father of four was a source of inspiration as he and his siblings grew up, and he was especially there for them when they started families and ventured into businesses.

He recalls the time they spent watching football matches and his father’s undeniable loyalty to Arsenal, even when the ream was underperforming, and his vast knowledge on all sports.

One of the things that stood out about Rwigamba to his loved ones is his patience, especially as death reared its ugly head. He made a point out of knowing every stage of his illness and extended grace to his loved ones and himself every so often.

"He prepared for what was to come, but he stayed optimistic all through and never gave up,” Paul Rwigamba observed.

During a night vigil held to celebrate the life of Rwigamba, on Saturday, February 18, at Rwigamba&039;s home in Kicukiro District, his son Emmanuel Rwigamba said that he fulfilled his parental responsibilities. He was speaking on behalf of all the four children who were left by the deceased.

Hundreds of people attended the night vigil, including the deceased's family members, relatives, and friends, including Senate Vice President in charge of Parliamentary Affairs, Esperance Nyirasafari, and the Deputy Speaker in charge of Parliamentary Affairs, Edda Mukabagiwiza.

So loving and so supportive: These are the words around which revolved the testimonies of people who spoke at the event about Rwigamba.

"We did not miss anything when he was alive. ... He had real, genuine love. This is something we should admire him for,” Emmanuel Rwigamba said of their father, whom he also described as a fighter man as he endured excruciating pain he suffered because of the disease he battled for over two years, starting from around October 2020.

Caring

Martha Murekatete, Rwigamba's sister, who lives in Tanzania, said that she came to Rwanda and took care of him for eight months (in two separate periods) while he was hospitalised.

She said he did a lot of valuable actions, and that she learned from him about that.

"If it were not for Fidel, I could not have studied. He is the one who paid for my school fees for my secondary education, using living allowances he was getting while pursuing his university studies," she said, adding that he catered for other academic needs for her.

"He encouraged me to study, and had great trust in me," she said.

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Alfred Ndahiro, who studied with Rwigamba at Ntare School said that he started knowing Rwigamba in January 1971, while at the school.

"He told me that I should be smart academically, succeed and maintain the school standards," he said, describing him as an intelligent man.

Also, he said that they both went on to study at Makerere University. "We were great friends. We shared everything," he said.

Late Rwigamba was laid to rest on Sunday, February 19 at Rusororo Cemetery after lying in state at parliament where he was also accorded a state funeral.