It is close to one year since gospel journalist Patrick Kanyamibwa passed on but he still lives on in the hearts of the many people he touched. On Tuesday, he was remembered for his phenomenal talent and extraordinary devotion during a memorial service organised by the media fraternity, family members and friends at the home of the deceased in Gikondo.

According to the family, Kanyamibwa, who succumbed to injuries following a fatal road accident in Kigali on September 10, 2014, will be remembered on May 5, every year—which was his birthday.

After the service that ended at 10a.m, mourners proceeded to Rusororo cemetery in Gasabo District, where he was laid to rest on September 12 last year.

All the speakers talked about his talent, love of his work as gospel journalist and as a great family man. Kanyamibwa helped to promote the gospel music in Rwanda.

In a touching tribute, his wife Jeanine Keza Mukabacondo, said, "We’re grateful for the people who were with us and supported us in the tragic period when I lost my husband and father to my child. I’ll love him until I’m up there in heaven with him.”

"There’s no kinder person in the world like Kanyamibwa. He was a great friend, very genuine and a journalist who fervently promoted gospel music in the country. He was a great husband and wonderful father too. Sad that he left when the gospel music industry still needed his services,” said Claude Hakizimana, a family friend.

Kanyamibwa is survived by his wife Mukabacondo and one child. He worked at radio Inkoramutima and Isango Star before joining Family Television, where he was working at the time of his death.