Kigali, 10 December 2012
President Kagame has described the Late Aloisea Inyumba as a good cadre and a unique patriot who put her country’s interests before her own. Speaking during the othe official funeral ceremony for the late Hon. Aloisea Inyumba at Parliament, President Kagame said even when she knew she was unwell, Inyumba insisted on working to accomplish her pending assignments:
“I knew Inyumba a few years before the creation of RPF and later on, I came to know her as a selfless, honest, brave and unique RPF cadre. She would give up food; spend sleepless nights to ensure all the funds she had raised would be used for RPF during the struggle. She worked tirelessly for others, for her country and often put herself last.”
President Kagame said that Inyumba may have served Rwanda in different capacities, but that above all she was was a true RPF cadre and leader.
“Inyumba was not just another leader, she a very good cadre who ideologically clear, which made her unique. Working with Inyumba made all of our work easier because she was approachable by all and had a way of finding solutions even to very complicated challenges. She has left a legacy of hard work and dignity. What she stood for and her heritage is what Rwanda needs to surpass any challenge.”
Narrating how brave Inyumba was, President Kagame said in her passion to see progress of the RPF struggle, Inyumba would not hesitate to go to the frontline, even during times of heavy combat.
“Inyumba was always the same in all circumstances and no mission was impossible to accomplish. She had the humility and courage to admit when she was wrong and work to rectify her mistakes. She was a leader in every sense of the word and always fitted anywhere you needed her. Today we say goodbye to her body but her work and her legacy remain alive within us.”
The Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Protais Musoni described the late Inyumba as “a good listener and a leader with the ability to unite those around her:” “She has left a good legacy particularly for women and children, a foundation for dignified Africa.”
Monique Nsanzabaganwa, head of Unity Club where the late Aloisea Inyumba belonged, described her as a revolutionary who worked tirelessly for all.
“We have lost a real patriot, an exemplary leader. Inyumba was gentle, selfless and a great mother. She leaves behind a legacy of love and compassion, patriotism, selflessness and humility. We thank her for the light she brought to our lives…May she rest in everlasting peace.”
Pastor Antoine Rutayisire said Inyumba’s ‘religion was her country and serving Rwandans, especially the most vulnerable in society.
Dr. Richard Masozera, husband to the late Aloisea Inyumba said she had no self pity and no doubts and that she had left her family with dignity: “Inyumba was my friend, a compatriot and mother of two wonderful children.”
Among messages of condolences pouring in from personal friends of the late Aloisea Inyumba and friends of Rwanda included those from President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia who described Inyumba as an uncommon patriot an inspiration to Liberian women.
Cindy Lou Hensley McCain, an American businesswoman, philanthropist and the wife of United States Senator and 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain said “She was a true friend, her passion was peace and I will forever remember her tireless work for women,” while Linda Melvern, a British investigative journalist described Inyumba as an extraordinary person who would be missed by friends of Rwanda.
Thousands of friends, family and government officials later on gathered at Rusororo cemetery where they paid their last respects to Minister Aloisea Inyumba before she was laid to rest.