Board Members
Amb. Joy Mukanyange
President
Ambassador Joy Mukanyange was educated at King’s College Budo and Makerere University in Uganda, where she earned a BA in Literature and French, She served as Rwanda's Ambassador to Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Kenya, and as Permanent Representative to the UN in Nairobi. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she was Director of the Inspectorate of Diplomatic and Consular Missions and Diaspora Affairs.
Joy has worked with the UNDP and UN Women in Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia, and has extensive experience in international development, diplomacy, and gender equality. She has also held leadership roles in civil society, including as President of the Rwanda Women Leaders Caucus and the Rwanda Chapter of Graduate Women International. She currently serves on the Board of Love and Hands, focusing on community empowerment and sustainable development.
Dr. Jean Bosco Butera
President Elect
a retired international civil servant who has worked with the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) in advancing women and youth in peace and security across Africa. From 2014 to 2022, he served as Special Adviser and Chief of Staff in the AU’s Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace, and Security. He also played a key role in promoting women’s leadership toward Africa's Agenda 2063.
Previously, Dr. Butera was the founding Director of the Africa Programme at the UN University for Peace, establishing graduate peace programs at 17 African universities. He also served as Deputy Vice Chancellor at the National University of Rwanda from 1995 to 2005, focusing on rebuilding academic capacity after the 1994 Genocide. Dr. Butera holds a PhD in Veterinary Science from the University of Ghent, Belgium, and has published extensively on peacebuilding, governance, and conflict.
Evelyn Kamagaju
President Nominee & Director Of Membership
Evelyn holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Makerere University and is a Certified Public Accountant (ICPAR Member no. 0001). She is Vice Chairperson of the RDB Board and a Non-Executive Director at Equity Bank Tanzania Ltd. She served as Vice Chair of the Board of Equity Group Holdings PLC until June 2023.
Evelyn has held leadership roles at Equity Bank Rwanda, MTN Rwanda, and Crystal Telecom, among others. She was the Auditor General of Rwanda and played a key role in establishing ICPAR. In 2009, she received the ACCA Achievement Award for her contributions to the accounting profession. Evelyn joined the Rotary Club of Kigali Seniors in 2023.
Ephraim Turahirwa
Sergeant at Arms
Turahirwa Ephraim, is a Rwandan, and holds a BSc (Honors) in Accounting, and an MBA in Finance (Distinction). He has been in the banking industry for many years and in many countries: Liberia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. He has held very senior positions in Rwanda both in Private Sector and the Public Sector. Examples include: Managing Director of Banque Commerciale du Rwanda (BCR); CEO of Banque Populaire du Rwanda (BPR); and as Vice Governor of the Central Bank (BNR). Other senior positions held include: CEO of Tri Star Investments; and Managing Director of Rwanda Mountain Tea Ltd.
Elisabeth Jeannette Turner
Secretary
Elisabeth Jeannette Turner is an education development professional with 20 years of experience in teaching, training, and policy design. She is the Vice President of Leadership & Development for an EdTech company working across Africa and India.
For over 12 years, Elisabeth has worked in Rwanda as an English teacher, teacher trainer, and education advisor, assisting with the Competence Based Curriculum and leading USAID-funded Kinyarwanda literacy projects. Before Rwanda, she worked in student affairs at UCLA and NYU. Elisabeth holds a Master's in Education from Columbia University and a Bachelor's in Political Science from UCLA.
Dr. Patrick Uwizeye
Director of Finance
Dr. Patrick Uwizeye is a business management expert with extensive experience in senior roles across various industries. He is currently a Non-Executive Director at Equity Bank Rwanda Plc and Chair of Finserve Africa Ltd. Previously, he served as Vice Chair at Ecobank Rwanda Plc and held leadership roles at MTN Rwanda. He founded and manages BPU Consulting Ltd.
Dr. Uwizeye specializes in enhancing business performance, streamlining operations, and developing strategic business plans. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), an MSc in Strategic Planning, an MBA in Financial Management, and a Masters in Communications Management. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Member of the Institute of Risk Management (CMIRM).
Dr. Emile Rwamasirabo
Director of Projects
Dr. Emile Rwamasirabo, born on March 13, 1951, is a renowned Rwandan surgeon and leader in healthcare and education. After completing his early studies in Rwanda, he pursued medical training in Senegal and later specialized in surgery and urology in France. With over 35 years of surgical practice, he has taught and mentored many doctors in Rwanda and across the region. He has held key leadership roles, including Rector of the National University of Rwanda, CEO of King Faisal Hospital, and Rwanda’s Ambassador to Japan (2005–2009). In 2023, he was elected President of the Rwanda Medical Council and also serves as Vice Chairman of the Rwanda Agency for Accreditation and Quality Healthcare. Throughout his career, he has contributed significantly to medical education, health policy, and the improvement of healthcare standards in Rwanda.
Diana Mpyisi
Director Of Public Relations
Diana Mpyisi is the Founder and CEO of Blue Oceans, a leading Rwandan creative agency established in 2017 to produce Rwandan stories for a global audience. With over 23 years of experience in communication, journalism, events, and media, she has held key roles including Director of Communication and Protocol in the Office of the First Lady of Rwanda and English news anchor at Rwanda Television. Diana is also the co-founder of Spoken Word Rwanda and the founding curator of the Kigali Global Shapers Hub, reflecting her passion for youth empowerment. She has facilitated and spoken at major local and international conferences such as the Africa Drone Forum, Transform Africa Summit, Women Deliver, and Inclusive Fintech Forum. A Chevening Scholar, she studied Journalism and Politics at the University of Johannesburg and holds an MA in Creative and Media Enterprises from the University of Warwick. Since 2017, she has been an Eisenhower Fellow.
Rahab Bwanka
Director of Club Services
Teta Kayitaba
Director of Youth
Teta Stella Kayitaba is dedicated to empowering women and girls, transforming communities, and driving meaningful change. As Chairperson of FAWE Rwanda Alumni Network, she led initiatives with the Mastercard Foundation, including a significant open-air mentoring program for women and girls in Nyarugenge District. This event brought together 150 girls and 60 mothers to discuss and address challenges they face at school and home.
Teta emphasizes the importance of mentorship and community-driven solutions, advocating for girls' education and empowerment. Her roles as Chairperson for FAWE Rwanda Alumni, Vice Chairperson of the FAWE Executive Board, and involvement with the Hope Iwacu Initiative highlight her commitment to education, gender equality, and combating human trafficking. Teta's leadership and advocacy reflect her dedication to creating inclusive communities and advancing social impact.
Amb. Mike Rugema
Director of Foundation
Celestin Kayitare
Chair of Audit Committee
Celestin Kayitare is a Rwandan public official serving as the Director General of the National Post Office (iPOSITA) since 2006, where he oversees postal, parcel, and financial services to ensure nationwide accessibility. He is also Chairman of the EACO Postal Assembly and a board member of Sanlam General Insurance Rwanda, where he chairs the Claims & Underwriting Committee. Kayitare holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Makerere University and a BA (Honours) from York University in Canada. With extensive experience in government and multinational organizations, he has led efforts to modernize Rwanda’s postal services, expand logistics, and adapt to changing demands in the digital age.
.
Amb. Zeno Mutimura
Chair of The Conflict Resolution Committee
As a prominent Rwandan figure, Zeno Mutimura has built a career in both diplomacy and politics. Born in Gatsibo District in 1944, he spent time as a refugee in Uganda, where he trained as a laboratory engineer. This led to a diplomatic career that saw him serve as Rwanda's ambassador to Tanzania, First Counsellor to Ethiopia, and First Counsellor to China. During his ambassadorship in Tanzania, he was a vocal supporter of the "One Dollar Campaign," an initiative dedicated to raising funds for genocide survivors. After concluding his diplomatic service, Mutimura transitioned into domestic politics and was elected to the Rwandan Parliament in 2011. His commitment to public service continued in this new capacity, which included serving as the chairman of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in Rwanda. Even after leaving his parliamentary role, he has remained an active voice in national discussions, and in 2023, he participated in a conference focused on poverty alleviation.
Aimable Rumongi
Immediate Past President & Advisor
Aimable Rumongi is a Former Rwandan leader serving as the President of Rotary Club Kigali Seniors, where he champions initiatives such as providing clean water to communities near Lake Muhazi, supporting women formerly in street vending to build sustainable businesses, and combating teenage pregnancies through community engagement. He is also the Chairperson of the Association of Professional Conference Organisers in Rwanda, encouraging youth to take advantage of opportunities in the tourism and conference sector, and serves as the Honorary Consul of Mexico in Rwanda.
Andrew Rugege
Past President
Andrew Rugege, a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in business strategy and digital transformation, has successfully led multi-national teams. Passionate about corporate governance and digital inclusion, he has been a Rotarian for over 18 years, currently serving as President (2023-2024) of the Rotary Club of Kigali Seniors and working as a Freelance Senior Strategic Advisor for Africa’s Digital Transformation.
Throughout his career, Andrew has lived in seven countries and worked across four continents. He has advised African nations on digital transformation as the former Regional Director for Africa at the ITU. In Rwanda, he helped expand telephony and internet connectivity as CEO of Artel Communications and COO of MTN-Rwanda. He now serves on the Board of Directors of Equity Bank Rwanda, chairing its IT and Innovation Committee, embodying the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.”
Gerald Mpyisi
Charter President
Gerald Mpyisi has been an active Rotarian since 1999 and is the Charter President of the Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga and Rotary Club Kigali Seniors. A Paul Harris Fellow, he has also chaired the Kigali Public Library project. Gerald is married to Nathalie and has six children.
Gerald holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from Makerere University, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science from the University of Nairobi. He has worked in five East African countries as a teacher and Computer Specialist, and has held significant roles, including Head of IT Division at ESAMI and Director of ICT for the Rwandan government. Since 2000, Gerald has been an entrepreneur in ICT, telecommunications, capacity building, and hospitality, and has served on the boards of several companies.