The Rwandan football fraternity and the wider community continue to mourn the death of Jules César Kalisa, the former Secretary General of the local football governing body, FERWAFA. Kalisa died at the age of 55 in India after a long illness. His family confirmed that he passed away on Sunday, just days after returning to India to seek specialized medical treatment. ALSO READ: Former FERWAFA secretary general Jules Kalisa dies His death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from football legends, former colleagues, friends and family members, who remember him as one of the most influential administrators in the history of Rwandan football. Former Amavubi captain Olivier Karekezi remembers Kalisa as a key figure during one of the most successful eras in Rwandan football, when the national team qualified for the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations. “Kalisa was an important figure in the journey of Rwandan football and for many of our members. During his years at FERWAFA, he worked closely with generations of Amavubi players and football stakeholders, supporting their careers and contributing to the development of the game,” Karekezi said. He added that Kalisa’s contribution would remain an integral part of Rwanda’s football history and legacy. Goalkeeping coach Caliopi Kabalisa, who worked alongside Kalisa in the Isonga development programme and during Rwanda’s historic qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico in 2011, remembered him as a humble, cooperative and dedicated leader. “Jules was a good person, approachable and very cooperative in the workplace. During our time working together, he was always committed to the development of football and supported everyone around him. He believed in teamwork and treated people with respect regardless of their position,” Kabalisa said. Kabalisa noted that Kalisa played a crucial administrative role during some of the most memorable moments in Rwanda’s football history, including the country’s maiden qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004. “We worked together during an important era for Rwandan football. He contributed significantly behind the scenes, ensuring that national teams and football programmes received the support they needed. His passion for the game and commitment to Rwandan football will never be forgotten,” he added. Former Junior Amavubi captain Emery Bayisenge recalled Kalisa’s fatherly role during the early years of Isonga project. “He treated us like his own children when we arrived as young boys. He always cared about our welfare and encouraged us to pursue our dreams. Many of us looked up to him as a mentor and guardian,” Bayisenge said. Former Rwanda international and ex-Rayon Sports goalkeeper Eric Eugène Murangwa also paid tribute to the late football administrator. “I first met Jules in Oxford, United Kingdom, when he was pursuing the FIFA Master’s programme. We met again years later when he became FERWAFA Secretary General. One of my most memorable encounters with him was during Rwanda’s historic AFCON qualification campaign in Tunisia in 2004,” Murangwa said. Family members also shared emotional messages following the loss of a man they described as a pillar of the family. His sister Adeline Kalisa said the family had lost not only a brother but also a father figure whose guidance and support shaped many lives. “Losing Jules feels like losing a father, a mentor and a protector all at once. He was always there for us, offering wisdom, encouragement and strength whenever we needed it. His love for his family was unconditional, and the void he leaves behind is impossible to fill,” Adeline said. Another sister, Coco Kalisa, remembered him as a selfless and compassionate man whose generosity touched everyone who knew him. “Jules had a rare gift of making people feel valued and loved. He dedicated so much of his life to helping others, whether family, friends or colleagues. We will remember him for his kindness, humility and the sacrifices he made for those he cared about,” she said. Long-time friend and journalist André Mashama reflected on their friendship, which began during their childhood in Burundi and continued throughout their professional lives in Rwanda. “Our journeys together and the memories we shared will remain with me forever,” Mashama wrote. A defining figure in Rwandan football Kalisa served as FERWAFA Secretary General from 1999 to 2011, making him the federation’s longest-serving Secretary General. His tenure coincided with some of the most significant achievements in Rwandan football, including the country’s first CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup title in 1999, the COMESA Cup triumph in 2000, Rwanda’s historic qualification for the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations and the junior national team’s qualification for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico. Beyond football administration, Kalisa was also an avid tennis enthusiast and a businessman. He owned Fuchsia Bar, a popular entertainment establishment.
