Rwanda’s First Lady, Jeannette Kagame, turned 64 on Monday, marking more than two decades in the role and a public life strongly associated with initiatives supporting women, girls, children and young people.
Born Jeannette Nyiramongi in Ngozi, Burundi, on August 10, 1962, she grew up in a Rwandan family living outside the country and later studied in Burundi and Kenya, earning qualifications in business and management.
She married President Paul Kagame in 1989, and the couple have four children.
Jeannette Kagame returned to Rwanda following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and became increasingly involved in initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of vulnerable communities as the country rebuilt.
Her work in public service has particularly focused on health, education, women’s empowerment and youth development.
One of her earliest major initiatives was the Protection and Care of Families against HIV/AIDS (PACFA), launched in 2001 to support families affected by HIV/AIDS. The initiative later expanded beyond HIV/AIDS-related programmes and evolved into Imbuto Foundation in 2007.
Today, Imbuto Foundation implements programmes in areas including health, education, youth development and economic empowerment. Jeannette Kagame serves as its founder and chairperson.
She has also been prominent in efforts to promote HIV prevention and adolescent health. She was among the founding members of the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS and served as its president from 2004 to 2006.
Her advocacy has also placed a strong emphasis on girls’ education. Through Imbuto Foundation, she launched a programme in 2005 to recognise girls who perform exceptionally well in national examinations, encouraging them to pursue further education and contribute to national development.
Youth empowerment has remained another key area of her work, with programmes supporting young people in education, entrepreneurship, leadership and talent development.
The Celebrating Young Rwandan Achievers initiative, for example, recognises young Rwandans whose achievements and community initiatives contribute to solving social challenges.
Jeannette Kagame has also been associated with efforts to promote unity and social cohesion. In 1996, she founded Unity Club, bringing together women in leadership and spouses of leaders to promote unity, peace and national development. The organisation later became Unity Club Intwararumuri.
Her public engagements have continued to address issues affecting vulnerable groups, including children and families facing difficult social and economic circumstances.
As she marks 64 years, Jeannette Kagame’s public record is largely defined by a sustained focus on expanding opportunities for women and girls, improving the welfare of children and youth, and supporting health, education and social development in Rwanda.
