The funeral of Father Dr Dominique Karekezi, the former rector of Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Education of Kibungo (INATEK), took place at his former church in Rwamagana, yesterday.

He was found dead on Monday after relatives and guards forced themselves into his house after his phone went unanswered several times before it went off.

Police spokesperson Celestin Twahirwa said preliminary findings indicate he died of cardiac arrest. He was 62.

The burial was preceded by a requiem mass at Rwamagana Catholic Church, where he traces his early days as a priest.

Hundreds of people gathered at the church for Karekezi’s funeral, which was led by the Bishop of Kibungo Catholic Diocese, Antoine Kambanda.

Scores of clergymen, nuns, government leaders and Christians across the country and beyond, attended the requiem service.

Addressing mourners, Bishop Kambanda said Karekezi was a man who lived an exemplary life.

"His legacy will remain forever, he managed to mobilise funds and aid for vulnerable Genocide orphans. He has served the Church and community selflessly…and will always be missed in our daily lives,” he said.

Karekezi was born in 1953 in Kamonyi Sector of Muhanga District.

Father Oreste Inshimatata, head of Rwamagana Catholic Church, said the deceased was an intelligent person, who despite descrimnatory policies of the past, managed to attain the highest academic credentials in Theology.He started his primary school in 1966 in Kagbayi, before continuing to St. Paul in 1970-73, but Tutsi children were soon discontinued and he had to stop studies, according to Inshimatata.

He took refuge in Burundi, but later returned to Rwanda where Clergymen like Bishop Joseph Sibomana, supported him.

He worked in Rwamagana in 1983-86 as a father. He was later sent to Rome for 4 years in 1990, where he obtained PhD in Moral Theology, he said.

Inshimatata, also said the deceased was a highly educated man who was polite and kind.

"Here is a man who held high offices in Church and community…but he remained so humble that we all envied his lifestyle. He worked for Kinyamateka newspaper from 1997-2008, when he was called to lead INATEK. His record speaks for him.”

Kinyamateka is a Kigali-based Catholic church newspaper while INATEK is a community varsity that started in 2003.

Father Karekezi is well known for having managed to steer INATEK to greater heights, mourners said.

"Under the leadership of Karekezi, INATEK has grown by leaps and bounds he spearheaded the university’s accreditation process.

‘‘We established another campus in Rulindo and our school has excelled in sports, particularly in volley ball. We are the current regional champions. We owe all these to the late priest,” said Janvier Gasasira of INATEK.

People who lived close to Karekezi said he was an introvert, who enjoyed reading books, and also humorous.

The news of his death sent shockwaves through the clergy and close-knit community across the country.

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