Rwandan diplomat and former Kigali Mayor, Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, died at the age of 61 on Tuesday, August 12, after battling an illness.
Kacyira’s latest role was as Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia, a position she assumed in February 2023 following her appointment by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Throughout her distinguished career, she held several key leadership positions, including Governor of Eastern Province (2011), Mayor of Kigali City (2006–2011), and Member of Parliament (2003–2006), where she was actively involved in legislative work and community mobilisation.
Her contributions extended beyond politics to development and humanitarian sectors. From 2011 to 2018, she was Deputy Executive Director and Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). Earlier, she worked in programme management for the Ministry of Agriculture and with NGOs such as Oxfam and Care International.
Under her leadership, Kigali earned the prestigious UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award in 2008, recognising the city’s achievements in cleanliness, safety, sustainable and affordable housing, and pro-poor urban employment initiatives.
Kacyira also served on the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Land Use, Management, Settlement, and Environment. Regionally and internationally, she held influential roles as President of the Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities, President of the East African Association of Local Government Authorities, and Vice-President of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa.
Kacyira leaves behind a legacy of dedicated public service and is survived by her husband and four children.
Prince Ruzigana / The Kaminuza Star