About the Parliament

The Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda has established a bicameral Parliament consisting of two chambers: The Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. It replaced the National Transitional Assembly established in the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Address:
KN 5 RD, Kigali

Email:
info@parliament.gov.rw

Email:
senate_rwanda@parliament.gov.rw

Mission

The mission of the Parliament of Rwanda is to legislate and oversee the Executive action for and on behalf of the people of Rwanda.

Vision

A State governed by the rule of law based on the respect of fundamental rights of the person, democracy and good governance whereby the Parliament catalyzes optimum participation of the population.

The Chamber of Deputies

The Chamber of Deputies debates and votes laws. It oversees Government activities.

  • The first legislature commenced in 2003 and ended in 2008;
  • The Second legislature commenced in 2008 and ended in 2013;
  • The third legislature commenced in 2013 and ended in 2018;
  • The Fourth legislature commenced in 2018 and it was supposed to end in 2023 but due to the review of the Constitution,it ended in 2024.
  • The Fifth legislature commenced in 2024 and it will end in 2029.

 

The Senate of Rwanda

The Senate debates and votes laws. It ensures oversight of Government activities as well. The Senate has particular responsibilities of monitoring the application of fundamental principles, monitoring the functioning of political organizations, approving the appointment of Officials and providing opinions on the State finance bill.

  • The first Legislature commenced in 2003 and ended in 2011;
  • The second Legislature commenced in 2011 and ended in 2019;
  • The third Legislature commenced in 2019 and ended in 2024;
  • The fourth Legislature commenced in 2024 and will end in 2029.

According to the Constitution in its article 81, the elected and appointed Senators serve a five (5) years term, renewable once.

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The President of Senate

Rt. Hon. Dr KALINDA François-Xavier

President of the Senate

The Right Honorable Dr. Kalinda François-Xavier is the President of the Senate since September 26, 2024. He was appointed as a Senator by the President of the Republic of Rwanda. Prior to this, Hon. Kalinda served as the President of the Senate during its 3rd term, from January 9, 2023, to September 25, 2024. Before that, he was a member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) from October 2015 to December 2022.

The President of the Senate has spent his entire career in academia and research. He has held several positions, including Dean of the School of Law, College of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Rwanda; Senior Lecturer in law, labor law and social security, intellectual property, and research methodology; and Member of the High Council of the National Public Prosecution Authority, representing public higher learning institutions.

Dr. Kalinda François-Xavier has authored several legal-related publications, books, and articles.

The Speaker of Chamber of Deputies

Rt. Hon. KAZARWA Gertrude

Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies

Born in December 1964, Honorable Kazarwa Gertrude, is the current Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of Rwanda since August 14th 2024.
From October 2019 to July 2024, Hon. Kazarwa Gertrude was the Managing Director and Founder of Bright Stars Foundation Academy School.
From September 2014 to September 2019, she was a Senator and was elected by Senators as Deputy Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Political Affairs and Good Governance.
She worked in World Vision International Rwanda from June 2005 to September 2014 in different positions in Finance Department. In 2011 she worked in ULK as Part time Lecturer.
Hon. Kazarwa holds a Master’s degree in Finance and Administration (MBA) from Maastricht School of Management (the Netherlands), a Bachelor’s degree of Law from the University of Lay Adventists of Kigali (UNILAK) and a Bachelor’s degree in Management from the Kigali Independent University (ULK). Certified in Court Mediation she holds a Diploma from the Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD).