The Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) has paid tribute to Senator and former Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Donatille Mukabalisa, who passed away Thursday, July 31. RPF described her as a dedicated leader whose service made a lasting contribution to Rwanda's development. Mukabalisa died at the age of 66 following an illness. She was receiving treatment at King Faisal Hospital. ALSO READ: Senator Donatille Mukabalisa passes on In a condolence message on Friday, the ruling party joined members of the Liberal Party (PL), which Mukabalisa led, her family, friends, and the nation in mourning her death. RPF-Inkotanyi Secretary General Christophe Bazivamo said Mukabalisa would be remembered for her commitment to serving the country, particularly during her tenure as Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and later as a Senator. “We wish her family, relatives, friends, colleagues and all those with whom she shared different moments strength during this difficult time. May she rest in peace,” Bazivamo said. ALSO READ: Who was Senator Donatille Mukabalisa? Mukabalisa held several key leadership positions throughout her service career. She began her parliamentary career in 2000 as a member of the National Transitional Assembly, serving until 2003. Following the adoption of Rwanda's Constitution in 2003, she was elected to the Chamber of Deputies, where she served until 2011. She was then appointed to the Senate the same year. In October 2013, Mukabalisa returned to the Chamber of Deputies and was elected Speaker, a position she held until 2024. After completing her term as Speaker, she was designated to the Senate by the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations (NFPO) on September 19, 2024, where she continued serving until her death. Born in Nyamata, Bugesera District, in July 1960, Mukabalisa also built an accomplished career outside Parliament. She lectured law at Kigali Independent University (ULK) and served with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), working with the two UN agencies for a combined period of 16 years before dedicating herself to legislative leadership.
