Meet Rwandan Women Making Big Headlines in First Quarter2022
By George Kalisa
Valentine Rugwabiza
The United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres nominated Rwandan diplomat Valentine Rugwabiza to head United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), midwife in April 2014 to mainly protect civilians in the conflict-plagued African nation. MINUSCA to which Rwanda is the biggest contributor in terms of military and police, supports the transition process, facilitate humanitarian assistance, oversees promotion and protection of human rights, offers support for justice and the rule of law, disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation processes.
Rugwabiza who boasts of a vast profile was lately replaced by former Infrastructure Minister, Claver Gatete, the new Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.
Rugwabiza has served in various ranks as Minister for East African Community, the Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board, the Deputy Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and envoy to Switzerland among others.
Hon. Patricie Uwase
Hon. Eng. Patricie Uwase was on January 31, 2022 appointed by H.E Paul Kagame as State Minister for the Infrastructure Ministry. Prior to this, Uwase had been the Permanent Secretary at the same ministry since 2015.
The Engineer-turned-Politician has served her government in various ranks including Vice-Chairperson of Board of the national Carrier, RwandAir.
She holds Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Kigali Institute of Education from former the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), now the College of Science and Technology of the University of Rwanda (UR) and Masters of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.
Jeannette Uwimana
Jeannette Uwimana, 26, rose to fame in March when she became the first female Rwandan contestant with disability to eye the Miss Rwanda crown.
By Press time, Uwimana was among 19 beauty queens in a boot camp readying for the Miss Rwanda finale in mid-March. Uwimana who has the support of her mother and Rwanda’s deaf community, was optimistic to win the 12th Edition of the Beauty Pageant, which is one of the most popular events in the country
“I can confidently say that I possess all the requirements – beauty, brains and culture,” she told BBC.
Uwimana, who’s among seven siblings, hails from Busasamana, Nyanza District in Huye District, Southern Province. She’s a High School leaver who has nursed the dream of becoming Miss Rwanda since her tender age. She studied Mathematics, Economics and Computer Sciences (MCE) at Groupe Scolaire HVP Gatagara Huye. According to the 2012 census at least 33,000 people registered as being deaf.
Salima Mukansanga
Salima Mukansanga, 33, is one of African women who have inspired millions of African girls. The 33-year old Mukansanga made history when she became the first woman to referee an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2021) match since this Continental tournament was midwifed back in 1957. She oversaw the Group B game between Guinea and Zimbabwe at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde on January 18, 2022 and showed six yellow cards including one to Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita, Guinea’s star.
Mukansanga was born and raised up in Rusizi District, Western Province and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and Midwifery from University of Gitwe.
During her childhood, she loved basketball which she dropped citing lack of basketball infrastructure and access to quality coaching.
Later, while at St. Vincent de Paul Musanze she settled for football refereeing where she was awarded her first certificate following her moving performance in this male dominated field.