First Lady Jeannette Kagame, on Saturday, November 18, attended the funeral of Ambassador Venetia Sebudandi, a seasoned Rwandan diplomat who passed away on November 13.

Sebudandi, who served as Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva from 2006 to 2011, succumbed to an illness while receiving treatment at King Faisal Hospital in Kigali.

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Born in 1954, she started her diplomatic journey in 1996 working as the Chief of Protocol and Director of State Protocol at Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

Later, she served as Rwanda’s ambassador to Japan in addition to a number of assignments that she held in her political career.

The First Lady was one of the many dignitaries who attended a church service held in Sebudandi’s memory at Remera Anglican Church in Kigali.

Speaking on behalf of RPF Inkotanyi, Senator Nepomuscene Sindikubwabo eulogised the diplomat as a hero who took part in the liberation struggle, serving in the party’s commission for foreign relations.

"Afterwards, she was given responsibilities to serve in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and she served well. She did her work with commitment and desire. Wherever she worked, be it in the Foreign Affairs Ministry or as ambassador in France, Switzerland, northern Europe, or Japan. She did her work well,” he noted.

The Kingdom of Buganda was also well represented at the event. The deceased was the mother of Jjunju Kiweewa, the eldest son of the King of Buganda Kingdom.

Prince David Wassajja, a brother to King Ronald Mutebi of Buganda condoled with Jjunju.

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"We pray that the Almighty God gives you comfort and peace and courage at this difficult time," he said.

He eulogised Sebudandi as a humble person who has been a key part to their family.

"My personal first encounter with Venie was when she was a young lady. I saw a beautiful young lady with a huge smile holding a two weeks’ baby who turned out to be Prince Jjunju. Since then on, Venie has been an integral part of our family,” he said.

A somber-looking Jjunju thanked President Paul Kagame for having given his mother the opportunity to serve Rwanda.

He noted that Sebudandi was not only his mother, but "an auntie to many and a treasure" to Rwanda.

"I told my cousins yesterday that I am not going to stand here and cry in front of our parents because when you cry in front of our parents they become weak. So, we need to keep the strength."