Rwanda mourns Hon. Donatille Mukabalisa, former speaker of parliament

The passing of Hon. Donatille Mukabalisa at the age of 66 has deeply touched Rwanda and beyond, especially within her political party PL, the Senate, and among fellow parliamentarians who worked with her during her tenure as Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies.

Born on July 30, 1960 in Nyamata, Bugesera, Mukabalisa rose from humble beginnings to become one of Rwanda’s most respected leaders. Colleagues describe her as a principled, calm, and diplomatic figure who valued dialogue and consensus. Sen. Alphonse Nkubana of PSP called her “a woman of integrity, reserved yet always smiling.”

Her parliamentary career began in 2003 when she was elected as a Deputy, later serving as a Senator (2011–2013) before returning to the Chamber of Deputies where she held the Speaker’s role for two consecutive terms until 2024. She also worked for international organizations including WHO and UNDP for 16 years, bringing global experience into Rwanda’s governance.

Mukabalisa often shared her life lessons with young people, urging them to value hard work and time management. In a 2025 talk at Gihogwe School, she reminded students that success requires effort:

“You cannot achieve anything without striving for it.”

Her story is also one of resilience. Born into a family relocated to Bugesera under discriminatory policies, she overcame hardship through determination and education, eventually becoming a national leader.