Senator Donatille Mukabalisa Laid to Rest with Full State Honours.

The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, members of Parliament, colleagues, representatives of the Liberal Party (PL), where the late Mukabalisa served as president for the past nine years, along with her family and close friends.

During the ceremony, several speakers paid tribute to Senator Mukabalisa's dedication, exemplary leadership, and lasting contribution to Rwanda's development.

First Vice President of the Liberal Party (PL), Hon. Théogène Munyangeyo, described the late senator as a welcoming, hardworking, and selfless leader who consistently put the interests of Rwanda and its citizens first. 

"She leaves us with a legacy of loving our work, striving for excellence, exercising wisdom, remaining steadfast, and carrying out our responsibilities efficiently. She always placed the interests of Rwandans and Rwanda above everything else," he said.

Munyangeyo also reflected on the difficult periods Mukabalisa endured throughout Rwanda's painful history, including the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He noted that those experiences strengthened her resolve to dedicate herself to the country's recovery and development. 

He encouraged Rwandans not to lose hope, saying that although the nation had lost an exceptional leader, Rwanda would continue to produce men and women with the same values and commitment.

"The country has lost an outstanding woman, but we have no doubt that it will continue to produce patriotic leaders who will carry forward the values she stood for and continue the work she began," he added.

President of the Senate, Doctorr François-Xavier Kalinda, also paid tribute to the late senator, describing her as a compassionate, humble, and patriotic leader who never hesitated to make decisions in the country's best interest.

"We have lost a wise leader who never feared making decisions for the good of the nation. She was humble, thoughtful, dedicated, and admired for her kindness and gentle character. Senator Donatille Mukabalisa truly embodied humanity," he said. 

Doctor Kalinda thanked President Paul Kagame for his message of condolence to the bereaved family and expressed appreciation to everyone who sent messages of sympathy to Rwanda's bicameral Parliament.

A message from President Paul Kagame, who is also the Chairman of the RPF Inkotanyi, was delivered by Ambassador Christophe Bazivamo, the RPF Inkotanyi’s Secretary General.

In his message, President Kagame praised Senator Mukabalisa for the values that defined her public service, including integrity, humility, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to duty.

"Senator Donatille Mukabalisa embodied the values that have become the foundation of Rwanda's development, including integrity, humility, resilience, and a strong sense of responsibility. Throughout the many positions of trust she held, she fulfilled every duty with dedication and excellence."

President Kagame added that Rwanda would always remember Senator Mukabalisa for both her achievements and the exemplary leadership she demonstrated throughout her career.

"The legacy she leaves behind will continue to be reflected in the work she accomplished and in the example of good leadership she has given us."

Senator Donatille Mukabalisa began her parliamentary career in 2000, serving as a Member of Parliament until 2011. She then served in the Senate from 2011 to 2013 before returning to the Chamber of Deputies, where she served as Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies for two consecutive terms from 2013 to 2024. 

In June 2024, she re-joined the Senate as one of the senators representing the Forum of Political Organizations in Rwanda.

Among the milestones for which she will be remembered is her leadership during the 2015 constitutional amendment process, when Parliament received more than 3.7 million petitions from citizens requesting amendments to constitutional provisions on presidential term limits. She also oversaw the parliamentary process that culminated in the referendum approving those amendments.

She will also be remembered for championing legislation that improved the lives of many Rwandans, particularly laws governing matrimonial property, inheritance, and succession, which strengthened women's and girls' rights to own and inherit property by removing longstanding legal barriers.

Following the official farewell ceremony, a Requiem Mass was celebrated at Regina Pacis Parish in Remera. Senator Donatille Mukabalisa was later laid to rest at Rusororo Cemetery, where family members, friends, colleagues, and dignitaries gathered to bid her a final farewell.

Senator Donatille Mukabalisa will be remembered as a dedicated stateswoman whose integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to public service played a significant role in strengthening Rwanda's democratic institutions and advancing the country's development.