List of Senators in Rwanda (4th Legislature: 2024-2029)

The 26 Senators of Rwanda’s 4th Legislature (2024–2029) are:

List of Senators in Rwanda (4th Legislature: 2024-2029)
Bideri John Bonds
  1. Hon. Bideri John Bonds
  2. Hon. Cyitatire Sosthène
  3. Hon. Dusingizemungu Jean Pierre
  4. Hon. Gahamanyi Bibiane Mbaye
  5. Hon. Havugimana Emmanuel
  6. Hon. Kaitesi Usta
  7. Hon. Kalinda François-Xavier
  8. Hon. Kanziza Epiphanie
  9. Hon. Mugisha Alexis
  10. Hon. Mukabalisa Donatille
  11. Hon. Mukabaramba Alvera
  12. Hon. Mukakarangwa Clotilde
  13. Hon. Murangwa Ndangiza Hadija
  14. Hon. Mureshyankwano Marie Rose
  15. Hon. Ngarambe Télesphore
  16. Hon. Niyomugabo Cyprien
  17. Hon. Nsengiyumva Fulgence
  18. Hon. Nyinawamwiza Laétitia
  19. Hon. Nyirahabimana Soline
  20. Hon. Nyirasafari Espérance
  21. Hon. Rugira Amandin
  22. Hon. Twahirwa André
  23. Hon. Umuhire Adrie
  24. Hon. Uwera Pélagie
  25. Hon. Uwimbabazi Penine
  26. Hon. Uwizeyimana Evode

How They Were Selected

1. Elected by Provinces & Kigali (12)

As per the NEC provisional results and final declarations:

  • Northern Province: Laëtitia Nyinawamwiza, Amandin Rugira
  • Southern Province: Adrie Umuhire, Pélagie Uwera, Sosthène Cyitatire
  • Eastern Province: John Bonds Bideri, Fulgence Nsengiyumva, Alvera Mukabaramba
  • Western Province: Emmanuel Havugimana, Marie-Rose Mureshyankwano, Cyprien Niyomugabo
  • Kigali: Espérance Nyirasafari
  • Higher Education Institutions: (public) Télesphore Ngarambe, (private) Penine Uwimbabazi

2. Appointed by the President (8)

In September 2024, President Kagame appointed:

  • François-Xavier Kalinda (reappointed)
  • Usta Kaitesi
  • Solina Nyirahabimana
  • Bibiane Mbaye Gahamanyi (activist with international human rights experience) …plus others to complete the eight appointees.

3. Designated by NFPO (4)

Includes:

  • Alexis Mugisha
  • Donatille Mukabalisa (former Speaker, now Senator)
  • Hadidja Murangwa Ndangiza
  • Possibly others yet to be fully publicized.

4. University-elected Senators (2)

  • Télesphore Ngarambe — public university representative
  • Penine Uwimbabazi — private university representative

Summary Table

CategorySenators (Examples)
Elected (12)Bideri John Bonds, Laëtitia Nyinawamwiza, Adrie Umuhire, etc.
Appointed by President (8)Kalinda, Kaitesi, Nyirahabimana, Gahamanyi, etc.
NFPO-designated (4)Alexis Mugisha, Donatille Mukabalisa, Hadidja Ndangiza, etc.
University-elected (2)Télesphore Ngarambe, Penine Uwimbabazi

Composition & Structure

  • The Senate comprises 26 members serving five-year terms, renewable once.
  • The breakdown:
    • 12 senators elected by electoral colleges representing the administrative entities (provinces and Kigali).
    • 8 appointed by the President of the Republic.
    • 4 designated by the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations (NFPO).
    • 2 academics, one elected by public university staff and one by private university staff.
  • The Senate also includes former Heads of State who may join upon request and approval.

Gender Milestone

  • For the first time in Rwanda’s history, women constitute the majority in the Senate: 14 out of 26 senators (53.8 %) are female.

Leadership of the Senate

  • François-Xavier Kalinda was re-elected as President of the Senate unopposed on 26 September 2024.
  • Vice Presidents:
    • Alvera Mukabaramba — Vice President in charge of finance and administration.
    • Solina Nyirahabimana — Vice President in charge of legislature and government oversight.

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