A tribute to my mentor, leader and patriot Senator Donatille Mukabalisa

There are people whose lives leave an imprint not only on the institutions they serve, but also on the hearts of those privileged enough to know them. Senator Donatille Mukabalisa was one such person. To Rwanda, she was a distinguished stateswoman who will mostly be remembered as the former Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies (October 2013 – June 2024), whose calm, principled demeanor and visionary leadership guided Parliament through a defining period in Rwanda's democratic journey. To the Liberal Party where she belonged, she was an inspiring party leader. To many, she was a trusted colleague and mentor. To me, she became much more a mother figure, a guide and one of the greatest influences in my personal and political life. I first met Hon. Mukabalisa through the Liberal Party, where she served as our party leader. My first impression of her remains vivid to this day, a humble, elegant woman whose warm smile immediately put everyone at ease. She greeted people with grace, listened with genuine interest, and had an extraordinary ability to make each person feel valued. What began as a professional relationship soon developed into a special bond that would profoundly shape my leadership journey and my personal life. I always called her Auntie, a name that reflected the affection and respect I had for her. One of the greatest privileges of my public life was serving under her leadership in two capacities. She was not only my Party Leader in the Liberal Party, but also my Speaker in Parliament. Few young politicians have the privilege of learning from the same leader in both the political and parliamentary spheres. Looking back, I realise how fortunate I was. When I joined Parliament in 2020, it was midway through the parliamentary term. Most members had already served together for two years, while I was beginning my very first parliamentary experience. Like any newcomer, I was aware of the steep learning curve ahead and the possibility of feeling intimidated by the responsibilities of national leadership. Hon. Mukabalisa would not allow that to happen. Because she believed deeply in developing young leaders, she deliberately invested in my growth. She placed me on what I can only describe as a personal leadership development programme. Every quarter, we scheduled one-on-one review meetings to assess my parliamentary performance, discuss my progress, identify areas for improvement and challenge me to continue growing. Such personal investment in political sphere is rare and reflected her genuine commitment to mentoring the next generation. Those conversations became one of the greatest gifts of my early political career. They gave me confidence, discipline and perspective. They transformed what could have been an intimidating transition into one of purpose, learning and steady growth. She never allowed me to settle for being comfortable. Instead, she constantly encouraged me to acquire new knowledge to horn my legislative skills. She believed leadership was a journey of continuous learning. Even her, despite decades of public service, she remained eager to embrace new ideas. One of her most recent interests was Artificial Intelligence and how emerging technologies could strengthen legislative work. Her curiosity reminded us that great leaders never stop learning. As a leader, she was exceptional. She possessed remarkable foresight and viewed every challenge through the lens of opportunity. The word impossible simply did not exist in her vocabulary. Whenever we encountered obstacles that seemed insurmountable, she would smile and say: When there is impossibility, it is an opportunity to re-strategise, seek God's guidance, and submit everything to Him. You will never go wrong with that. Those words became more than advice, they became a philosophy of leadership. She taught us that setbacks were not reasons to surrender but invitations to rethink, to persevere with wisdom, and to move forward with faith. It is a lesson I continue to carry with me every day. Her leadership philosophy was rooted in accountability, teamwork, and service. One of her recurring questions still echoes in my mind: What are we helping on the national issues we have identified as parliamentarians?Those words reflected her proactive approach to leadership. She believed leaders should anticipate challenges, provide solutions, and work collectively for the nation's progress. She never sought personal recognition. Her leadership was always defined by we rather than I. Perhaps her greatest gift was her unwavering commitment to mentoring young leaders. She saw potential where others saw inexperience. Rather than simply assigning responsibilities, she nurtured confidence, encouraged continuous learning, and challenged us to become better versions of ourselves. Working with her was a masterclass in excellence. Every report, or document prepared for her received her careful attention. She reviewed every page meticulously, correcting details, refining ideas, and insisting on the highest standards before approving any submission. She taught me that excellence is not achieved through talent alone, but through discipline, precision and integrity. One memorable incident that still makes me smile occured before my first participation in the East African Community Inter-Parliamentary Games. I confessed to her that I felt uncomfortable competing. I wondered whether it was truly fitting for a Rwandan woman serving as a Member of Parliament to be seen running on an athletics track. She laughed gently, looked at me with complete confidence, and in her calm voice simply said: Go and bring me a medal. Those five words removed every doubt I had. I went, competed with confidence the rest, as they say, is history. That was Auntie. She saw possibilities long before we saw them ourselves. She believed in people before they believed in themselves. With only a few words, she could replace fear with confidence and hesitation with determination. Beyond the office, Auntie was a mother in every sense of the word. She celebrated weddings, comforted grieving families, attended community gatherings, and stood beside people during both joyful and difficult moments. Her presence alone brought comfort. She was equally devoted to her family. At home, titles and public honours disappeared. She became simply a loving wife and mother who welcomed guests with remarkable warmth and generosity. She personally served visitors, often insisting on preparing meals herself. Every detail reflected her kindness and hospitality. Her love for children was extraordinary. She treated them with affection, prayed with them, celebrated their birthdays, organized gatherings for them, and showered them with love. My own children knew her not as a politician but as a grandmother. The void her passing leaves in our family is immeasurable. During her sickness, she demonstrated extraordinary courage and dignity. She never wanted anyone to focus on her suffering. She once told me that as long as she was physically able, she would never stop working. I spent precious time with her during her final days in hospital, unaware that they would be our last moments together. Even then, her mind remained focused on the work of Parliament and the future of our country. She asked me to update her on parliamentary affairs and national developments. Despite the pain she endured, her greatest concern was Rwanda, its history, its remarkable journey, and the responsibility of the younger generation to safeguard its future. That unwavering patriotism defined her life. She was deeply concerned about unfinished work and the legacy she would leave behind. Above all, she held profound respect and admiration for His Excellency President Paul Kagame. Every prayer we shared began with prayers for his health, wisdom, and leadership. Her love for Rwanda and her devotion to national service never wavered. Hon. Senator Donatille Mukabalisa lived a life of purpose, humility, integrity, and selfless service. She demonstrated that true leadership is measured not by authority, but by the lives one transforms. Her legacy will continue through the many leaders she mentored, the institutions she strengthened, and the values she embodied. Today, I mourn not only a respected national leader, but also a mother, a mentor, and a dear friend whose wisdom, encouragement, and unwavering faith helped shape who I am. Go well, my beloved Auntie, our Maman Liberal, our mentor, our patriot. May the Almighty welcome you into eternal peace. Your legacy will continue to inspire us, your memory will forever remain in our hearts, and your example will continue to guide future generations. Rest in eternal peace. The writer is a member of the Rwandan Parliament.

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A tribute to my mentor, leader and patriot Senator Donatille Mukabalisa