Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
Rwanda/République Rwandaise/Republika y'u Rwanda (Female e Suffrage 1961) Formerly part of the Belgian administered trusteeship of Rwanda-Urundi until becoming independent 1962

Also see Rwanda Heads

1895-96 Reigning Umugabekazi Nyiraj V Kanjogera
1896-ca. 1916 Regent
1922-27 Regent
She became Umugabekazi (Queen Mother) by the death of her husband King Kigeri IV Rwabigi and twice acted as regent for her son Yuhi V wa Musinga (1896-31).

1931 Reigning Umugabekazi Nyiaranauugo III Kankazi (12.11-16.11)
She became Umugabekazi (Queen Mother) by the death of her husband Yuhi V.

1964-65 Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health Madeleine Ayinkamiye

1992-93 Minister of Education Agathe Uwilingiyimana
1993-94 (†) Premier Ministre (16.6-7.4)
On the 6th of April 1994 the Hutu President Habyarimana was killed together with his Burundian colleague, Cyprien Ntaryamira, when their plane was rocketed on its way to Kigali airport. Agathe, a Hutu, was killed by the Tutsi Presidential guard together with her family and 10 Belgian soldiers, the day before she was supposed to step down as premier minister. The two killings sparked off the civil war and genocide of approximately 1 million Hutus and Tutsies. She lived (1953-94)

1992-93 Minister of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Artisans Agnes Ntamaabyaliro
1993-94 Minister of Justice
Afterwards she was also minister-in-exile in Zaire. 1991 Secretary General of Parti Liberal, 1993/94 Co-Leader-in-exile of a Faction of PL, which was in favour of the former government, which was ousted after the civil war.

1992-94 Minister of Women and Family Pauline Nyirama-Suhuko
In 1999 she was charged with genocide and crimes against humanity - amongst others rape - by the United Nation War Crimes Tribunal as the first woman ever.

1994-99 Minister of Family and Women's Affairs Aloysia Inyumba
Ca. 1998-99 Minister of Social Affairs  
Secretary general of the Unity and Reconciliation Commission 1999-2001, Prefect  of Kigali-Ngali (Rural) 2001-06.

1994-ca.98 Minister of Transport Immaculée Kaymba

1995-ca.98 Minister of Justice Marthe Mukanurenzi

Ca. 1995-98 Minister of State for Interior, Communal Development and Resettlement Béatrice Sebatware-Panda

1999-2002 Minister of Gender and Women’s Development Angelina Kuganza Mugaza
2002-08 Minister of State for Skills Development, Vocational Training and Labour

1999-2000 Minister of State of Lands, Human Resettlements and Environmental Protection
2000-01 Minister of Public Service and Labour Sylvie Zayinabu Kayitesi

1999-2001 and 2002-03 Minister of State for Social Affairs Dr. Odette Nyiramilimo
Secretary General of the Liberal Party or PL (Prosper HIGIRO) political party since 2001.

2001-02 Minister of State for Environmental Protection in the Ministry of Lands, Human Resettlements and Environmental Protection
2002-03 Minister of State for Forestry
2003-06 Minister of Lands, the Environment, Forestry, Water and Natural Resources Drocella Mugorewera

2002-03 Minister of Gender and Women’s Development Marie Mukantabana

2002- Minister in the President's Office Soline Nyirahabimana

2003-06 Minister of Justice Edda Mukabagwiza
Former Secretary General of the Ministry.

2003-08 Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister in charge of Gender and Family Promotion Valerie Ntirahabineza (Nyirahabineza)

2003- Minister of State of Community Development and Social Affairs Christine Nyatanyi

2003-06 Minister of State of Primary and Secondary Education Dr. Maria Jeanne d'Arc Mujawamariya
2006-08 Minister of Education
2008- Minister of Gender Affairs and Equality

2003-08 Minister of State of Lands and Environment in the Ministry of Lands, Environment, Forestry, Water and Natural Resources Patricia Hajabakiga

2003-08 Minister of State of Economic Planning in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning
2008- Minister of Commerce Monique N'Sanzabaganwa

2004-08 Minister of State of Agriculture Daphrose Gahakwa
2008- Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Research

2005-08 Minister of State of Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rosemary Museminari
2008- Minister of Foreign Affairs
 Ambassador to United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and the Republic of Ireland 2000-05. (b. 1962).

2008- Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister charged with Information Louise Mushikiwabo

2008- Minister responsible for the African Community Monique Mukaruliza

2008- Minister of Infrastructure Linda Bihire

2008- Minister of State for Agriculture Agnes Kalibata
Former Secretary General of the Ministry


Last update 09.03.08