The family of the late Senator Donatille Mukabalisa has donated Rwf13 million to Butaro Hospital to support cancer patients from vulnerable families, fulfilling a wish she made before her death.
Mukabalisa had asked that, instead of spending large sums on flowers for her funeral, mourners and well-wishers contribute money to help cancer patients receiving treatment at Butaro.
The donation was handed over to the hospital on August 14 and was raised through contributions from the family’s relatives and friends. The fundraising campaign is continuing, according to Hon. Wellars Gasamagera, who spoke on behalf of the family.
Gasamagera said Mukabalisa developed the idea after visiting Butaro Hospital while on official duty. During the visit, she learned about the challenges faced by patients from low-income families, particularly the difficulties of paying for some medicines and transport.
“She came here on official duty, but she was also dealing with an illness. After visiting the hospital and seeing the situation, she asked about how people here were living, particularly those who could not afford treatment,” Gasamagera said.
He said the visit prompted Mukabalisa to consider how she could support disadvantaged cancer patients.
“She came up with the idea of finding a way to help these people, especially those who come here for cancer treatment but do not have sufficient means, particularly to buy medicines and cover transport costs,” he said.
Gasamagera said Mukabalisa continued discussing the initiative with doctors during the final period of her life before making her request concerning funeral flowers.
“She said that if she passed away, instead of spending money on flowers to place on her grave, that money should be collected and used to help patients here at Butaro,” he said.
After her death on July 30, the family agreed to honour her wish by mobilising contributions from relatives and friends. Mukabalisa died at King Faisal Hospital in Kigali at the age of 66 after an illness. She had served as Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies from 2013 to 2024 and was serving as a senator at the time of her death.
Gasamagera said the Rwf13 million handed over to Butaro represents the first contribution from the initiative.
“The money we have brought here today was contributed by friends and relatives of the family, and the fundraising initiative is still ongoing,” he said.
The initiative had earlier been publicly framed as a call to redirect money that would have been spent on funeral flowers towards cancer care at Butaro.
Hospital authorities welcomed the donation, saying it will help vulnerable cancer patients facing financial barriers to treatment.
The support comes as some cancer patients continue to face challenges related to the cost of medicines and transportation, which can make it difficult for them to maintain access to care.
