Who are the new Senators?

President Paul Kagame, yesterday, presided over the swearing-in ceremony of six new Senators.In a speech that lasted just two minutes, the President congratulated the new members of the Upper House upon assuming the new responsibilities. Those sworn in include four presidential appointees; Prof. Chrysologue Karangwa, who was until recently the chairman of the National Electoral Commission, Zephyrin Kalimba, who headed a local pressure group of historically marginalised communities, Consolée Uwimana and Margaret Nyagahura.Others were Charles Uyisenga and Jeanne d’Arc Mukakalisa, who were appointed by the Consultative Forum of Political Parties.The new faces in the Senate, which was first instituted in 2003, replace six Senators who served out their non-renewable eight-year term on Wednesday.Those who completed their mandate include four presidential appointees, Dr Joseph Karemera, Seth Esri Kamanzi, Henriette Umulisa and Teddy Gacinya. Others are Agnes Mukabaranga and Juvenal Sebishwi, who had been picked by the Consultative Forum for Political Parties.Constitutionally, the Upper Chamber of Parliament has 26 senators; 12 elected from constituencies, eight appointed by the President, four by the Consultative Forum for Political Parties and two from higher institutions of learning.For purposes of continuity the Senate is constituted at different intervals because the senatorial term is not renewable.New Senators speak out Charles Uyisenga“It is an opportunity to continue to serve my country. I have spent my entire working life in public service,” he told The New Times yesterday.The 61-year old, who holds an MA in History, is married, with six children. He previously headed the National Archives before going on to serve in Rwanda’s diplomatic missions in Belgium and Germany as first counsellor.He has also headed the European Division at the Ministry of Foreign affairs and the Governance and Social Affairs department at the Office of the Prime Minister.Uyisenga was also a former member of the National Electoral Commission. Jean d’Arc MukakalisaThe 42-year old former primary school teacher is married, with 5 children. She is the Permanent Secretary of PDC political party, and was running a private business when she was appointed Senator two weeks ago.Prof. Chrysologue KarangwaShortly after he was appointed on Wednesday, he told The New Times: “I am grateful to President Kagame for entrusting me with a great opportunity to serve my nation of which I am really happy”.A holder of a PhD in Physical Chemistry; Karangwa is a career academic having served as a lecturer at the National University of Zaire (now DR Congo), Director, Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (IRST), Rector, National University of Rwanda, and Rector, Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). He also served as the Chairman of the National Electoral Commission Chairman between 2003 to 2010, during which he oversaw the promulgation of the current Constitution and the country’s first two multiparty general elections.Zephyrin KalimbaA former police officer and current chair of an association that advocates for the rights of historically marginalised communities, Kalimba said he was grateful to the President for availing him the opportunity to actively participate in the country’s development.In 1997, he served as the regional coordinator of the International Alliance of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Tropical Forests. He has also conducted research for Africa Human Rights Commission, particularly on indigenous people in AfricaMargaret NyagahuraShe thanked God for the opportunity to serve her country at the top level, and promised not to disappoint the appointing authority and Rwandans. A mother of three, Nyaguhura holds a Bachelors Degree in Social Sciences. Until he appointment she ran a nursery school in Gacuriro, an uptown suburb of Kigali City, where she is also a cell leader.Consolee Uwimana“It is an honour to be appointed to this position,” she said. Uwimana, 41, is an entrepreneur and a veteran banker and is currently an MBA student. She is married with three children.