What legacy does Hon. Donatille Mukabalisa leave for Rwandan democracy?

As part of our tribute to her, KPMedia revisited an interview we had with the late leader over eight months ago, where she spoke to us about her experiences, particularly during her time in parliament.

The late Hon. Donatille Mukabalisa, who was born in Bugesera district in the Eastern Province, told us that she was saddened by her childhood linked to her birth period during the darkest history of Rwanda, which culminated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.  

"There are many sad memories I remember from the pre-genocide period. There was the persecution, harassment, and torture that was inflicted on parents and neighbors,” she said.

Hon Donatille Mukabalisa told us that this happened to her too, because a company wanted to hire her because they saw hertalent, but when she showed the identity card used at the time, the job became immediately annulled, because the identity card indicated that she was Tutsi.

Despite having lived in a difficult life, Hon. Donatille Mukabalisa told us that the happiest thing about her childhood was that she attended high school, in a good school, and then continued on to university.

Although Hon. Donatille Mukabalisa went through difficulttimes in her history, she revealed to us the secret that made her an exemplary leader. 

“The gravity of not giving a talented child the right to study to develop himself/herself, to develop his/her family, to develop his/her country, to have a place in schools and in the workplace, all of which you strive to ensure will never happen again, and that people come together and establish a sustainable and strong system that will not waver, so that there is a strong foundation so that the bitter history our country has gone through will never happen again,” she said.

In the context of building a stable democracy in Rwanda, Hon. Donatille Mukabalisa laid her foundation, where she contributed to the development of the Liberal Party (PL), after it was founded on July 14, 1991. She did not stop there because she also joined the Chamber of Deputies from 2003 to 2008, and from 2011 to 2013 she continued in the Senate. 

After returning to the House of Representatives and leading it from 2013 to 2024, many memorable events took place. Among the events that Hon. Donatille shared with us was a major event that took place between 2014 and 2015, when Rwandans called on the House of Representatives to initiate steps towards amending the constitution, particularly in the articles that would allow them to elect a leader they wanted to continue leading them.

She told us what it was like at that time, especially when it came to receiving letters from citizens.

“It started out small. We started receiving about one letter a day, which was normal, then two more came, a week later two more, but then it started to come in large numbers! Then people started coming with their own letters, wanting to meet with us to tell us what was on their minds and to show why they wanted this article to be changed so that we could continue to be led by His Excellency the President of the Republic Paul Kagame,” she said.

In addition to the constitutional amendment, some of the things that Hon. Donatille Mukabalisa shared with us that pleased herduring his time as Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies include enacting laws in line with the political line the country has given itself, holding certain leaders accountable without trying to discredit them, but rather to show them where they need to be strengthened so that the desired results can be achieved. She also told us that she was pleased that members of parliament decided to travel around the country in groups and to go to many places at the same time, to advocate for the people, and she was pleased that this decision helped the leadership in resolving the problems that were being raised.

During our conversation, Hon. Mukabalisa also expressed herhappiness over the progress the country has made, including the reduction of the number of people living below under poverty, rapid economic growth, and the promotion of gender equality.

Hon Donatille Mukabalisa, concluded the interview by reminding the youth that they have a great responsibility to preserve the achievements and build on them to develop the country. 

“The young people are in a good country and they have a great responsibility. You can build a house for someone, take it to a place and tell them to continue because I have built a strong foundation, build it. At that time, you have no limits to build on. At that time, if you fail, you are a coward, but again, there is no reason to fail because you have good things to build on and now in a good country that gives you full rights,” she said. 

"What I would tell them is to work with purpose, learn from the difficulties they encounter because they are also constructive, but also from the good things they see and say, 'How can we continue to innovate and improve?" She added.

As KPMedia, we wish the late Hon. Donatille Mukabalisa a peaceful rest.

You can watch the entire interview (Kinyarwanda version) KPMedia had with the late Hon. Donatille Mukabalisa over the past eight months via this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNhHR7x2-Fc