Thirteen candidates are vying for one seat to represent persons with disabilities in the Chamber of Deputies. In what is a first, two of the 13 parliamentary candidates representing persons with disabilities have speech and hearing impairment, according to the National Council of People with Disabilities (NCPD). But let’s take a look at each one of the 13 candidates, briefly. Here is what you need to know about the 13 candidates: Bob Emmanuel Mugabo was born in 1982. He lost his hearing ability at the age of seven after being hit by a ball during a 10 a.m. break in primary school. Four months later, unfortunately, his parents realized that he had become deaf completely. Despite that fact, he has a masters degree in accounting and finance and 10 years of experience in banking. Mugabo is very passionate about playing football and reading books. Damien Gato is a 43-year-old with a master’s degree in human resources management. He is married with two children, and represents people with disabilities in Gatsibo District. When he was four, polio struck. His parents didn’t know it was polio. Gato spends his free time with his close friends, as well as watching football. ALSO READ : Nearly 600 candidates scramble for 80 seats in Parliament Richard Kananga was born in 1975. The father of four has a master’s degree in governance and development from the University of Antwerp in Belgium. He worked for the National Commission for Unity and Reconciliation for eight years. Kananga‘s vision is to see a Rwanda where people with disabilities are fully integrated into society, enjoying equal rights, opportunities, and a high quality of life. Olivia Mbabazi is a 42-year-old with a master’s degree in business administration. She is currently an assistant lecturer at the University of Rwanda. Her hobbies are meditation, and being a candidate reassures her of the growing woman's confidence. Xavier Ngenzi is 40. He has a bachelor's degree in law. He works as a notary at the sector level. One of the things he enjoys doing is praying, and his candidacy is rooted in the belief that diversity is the country’s strength and inclusivity is a collective responsibility. ALSO READ: It’s a first as people with speech, hearing impairments vie for parliamentary seats Eza Nkaka is 36 years old. She holds a master's in development studies and is currently working as a project officer in the Rwanda National Union of Deaf (RNUD). When she is not in family and church affairs, Nkaka enjoys gym activities. Benjamin Niyibizi was born in 1992. He has a bachelor's degree in development economics from the University of Rwanda. He owns a papeterie near the university and services students' everyday requirements on campus. Niyibizi's hobbies include singing gospel songs, conducting research on what is going on in the world, reading newspapers, and participating in sports. Nshimiyimana Alain was born in 1986. He has a degree in business administration focused on finance. He works for RwandAir in the dispatch operations department. His hobbies are sports, reading, and traveling. Clement Nzayisenga was born in 1991. He is an entrepreneur with a degree in agriculture, animal science, and veterinary medicine from the University of Rwanda. In his free time, he enjoys going to church and spreading the gospel, as well as reading news on social media. ALSO READ: Over 200 get NEC green light to contest for special seats in Parliament Ruberwa Augustin is 54 years old. He has a degree in administration, and works as a human resources administrative officer at Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital (RMRTH). Iyakaremye Emmanuel was born in 1982. He holds a bachelor's degree in biomedical laboratory science from the University of Rwanda. He is a council member in Ngororero District who enjoys sports, music, dancing, and teamwork. Baraka Hubert Niyonsenga, 35, is a nurse at Gisenyi Hospital with 13 years of experience in the health system. He aspires to help people with disabilities and teach them that their rights should be respected and that they can still contribute to society. Justine Kayiraba is a 46-year-old mother of four who works as a senior urban planner. She has a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Strategic Planning from a university in the Netherlands. Her hobbies include reading books and researching new things, listening to gospel music, enjoying nature, gardening, and cooking.
