In 2001, Protection and Care of Families against HIV/AIDS (PACFA) was established as a project under the Office of the First Lady, to mobilize resources desperately needed in the fight against HIV/AIDS. This initiative primarily focused on providing a holistic approach for dignified lives of families, including women deliberately infected with HIV/AIDS during the Genocide against the Tutsi.
Over the years, PACFA grew to embrace more programmes and in 2007, it changed its name to Imbuto Foundation to reflect its evolution and new fields of activity, through programmes in health, education, youth and economic empowerment. Literally translated Imbuto means “seed”. A seed well planted, watered, nurtured and given all the necessary support successfully grows into a healthy plant; one that reaches high and stands tall. This vision shapes the Imbuto Foundation’s current initiatives and future projects.
A nation of empowered and dignified Rwandans.
To support the development of a healthy, educated and prosperous society.
Excellence, Integrity, Innovation, Solidarity and Commitment.
We invest first and foremost in people.
We invest in catalytic actions that address development gaps.
We invest to harness the power of technology and innovation.
We invest with partners whose values resonate with ours.
We invest in solutions that lead to the achievement of national, regional and global goals
Imbuto Foundation aligns with Rwanda’s Vision 2050 by prioritising Human Capital Development to build a healthy, educated, and skilled workforce for achieving the country’s goals. Rwanda aims to become a middle-income country by 2035 with a GDP of 4,036 USD and a high-income country by 2050 with a GDP of 12,476 USD. Investing in Human Capital Development fosters individuals who are innovative, productive, and contributes to reducing inequalities. This drives sustainable development with lasting benefits for future generations.
Imbuto Foundation’s strategic orientation emphasizes implementing its programmes through Imbuto Hubs across all 30 districts. These hubs empower Rwanda’s youth and communities by providing skills, resources, and support in economic empowerment, health, community engagement, personal development, and cultural expression. Aligned with the foundation’s mission, they contribute to national priorities, including NST2 and Vision 2050.
Our Imbuto Hub package is tailored to age-appropriate categories to address the diverse needs of the population.
Mrs. Jeannette Kagame is the Chairperson of Imbuto Foundation, an organisation born of an earlier project for the Protection and Care of Fam
Mrs. Jeannette Kagame is the Chairperson of Imbuto Foundation, an organisation born of an earlier project for the Protection and Care of Families against HIV/AIDS.
Imbuto Foundation contributes to generational improvements in health, education, youth, and economic empowerment in Rwanda.
Mrs Kagame is also the Chairperson of Unity Club, an organization founded in 1996 after the Genocide against the Tutsi. It comprises current and former members of Government and their spouses, to promote social cohesion and sustainable development in Rwanda.
Mrs Kagame is a founding member of the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS and for Development (OAFLAD), serving as its President from 2004 -2006.
Mrs. Jeannette Kagame, who holds a Business and Management Science degree, is a Paul Harris Fellow, an honorary member of the Kigali-Virunga Rotary Club, Patron of the SOS Children’s Home and co-founder of Green Hills Academy, a top Rwandan school.
The First Lady personifies an active, passionate devotion to uplifting the lives of the most vulnerable, particularly widows, orphans of the genocide against the Tutsi and underprivileged families.
She is a staunch advocate for Girls’ Education, and HPV vaccination in the fight against cervical cancer.
Diana Louise Ofwona is the Senior Advisor to the Minister of Local Government (MINALOC) in the Government of Rwanda. Prior to this appointme
Diana Louise Ofwona is the Senior Advisor to the Minister of Local Government (MINALOC) in the Government of Rwanda. Prior to this appointment, she served the United Nations as Resident Representative of UNDP in Niger from April 2019 to June 2022, where she was awarded, at the end of her mission, the prestigious medal of honour, “Commandant de l’ordre National du Niger” by H.E the President of the Republic of Niger in recognition of her distinguished service to the country.
Her cumulative experience in the field of leadership and socio-economic development spans 35 years in Government, the United Nations, academia, the Private sector and civil society in three continents: Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean. She speaks a total of six languages and works proficiently in English and French.
Diana is a Founding member of PACFA and Imbuto Foundation and has also served on other Boards and committees, including the UN high-level Strategy and Management Review Panel, the North-South Institute Board in Canada, the UN Standing Committee on Security Issues in Central Africa, the MTN Foundation, Board of Trustees of the Makerere University’s Female Scholarship Foundation and the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF).
She is also a member of the Lions Club International, the Kigali Golf Club and an alumna of the International Association of Students of Economics and Business (AIESEC).
Ms. Diana Ofwona holds a Master of Arts degree in Languages from the University of Nairobi.
Ms Rose Rwabuhihi served in different government positions including Head of the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO), a Government institution
Ms Rose Rwabuhihi served in different government positions including Head of the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO), a Government institution mandated to ensure accountability for the respect of principle of Gender Equality at all levels in Rwanda, and service delivery to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) victims.
Before joining the Gender Monitoring Office, Ms Rwabuhihi worked with the United Nations for over 15 years, across Africa and in the United States of America. Her goal is to promote an integrated approach to Women’s Rights in Development, with a specific focus on governance, peace and security, as well as innovative strategies to eliminate violence against women in Africa.
Ms Radegonde Ndejuru now in her retirement, has served as the Senior Advisor to the First Lady of Rwanda since 2015. Prior to this, from 200
With over 30 years experience in Project Management, Ms Ndejuru has been working with less advantaged people in Rwanda, Canada, Guinea Bissau and Ivory Coast -
assessing and analysing the various challenges faced by these communities, in order to identify root causes and potential solutions. She believes that Community Based Organizations (CBOs) can go a long way in improving the wellbeing of the populations they serve.
Ms Ndejuru holds a Nursing Baccalaureate from the University of Rwanda and a Masters in Community Health from the University of Montreal in Canada. She is also a trained psychotherapist.
Mrs. Jeanne d’Arc Gakuba is the Senior Advisor to the First Lady of Rwanda since 20th Feb 2023. Prior to her position as Senior Advisor
Mrs. Jeanne d’Arc Gakuba is the Senior Advisor to the First Lady of Rwanda since 20th Feb 2023. Prior to her position as Senior Advisor, she was the Vice-President of the Rwandan Senate in Charge of Finance and Administration, a post she has held since 2011.
Mrs. Gakuba obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the National University of Burundi in 1987, and a Master’s degree in Development Studies from the National University of Rwanda.
From 1987 to 1994, she was a Professor of Geography, History and Political Economy at Lycée de Ngagara in Burundi. Following this, she took her first government role as the Head of the Climatology Section at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, before moving on to become Managing Director at the National Umbrella of associations of women’s advancement, PROFEMME/ TWESE HAMWE from 1996 to 1998, and then the Coordinator of “Centre de Formation et de Recherche Coopératives – IWACU” in charge of promoting cooperative movement through research and training from 1998 to 2001.
After this, she re-entered public service as the Vice-Mayor of Kigali City in charge of Gender and Women Promotion for the term 2001-2005, and then again as Vice-Mayor of Kigali in charge of Social Development from 2006-2011.
In 2011 she was elected as a Senator and Vice-President of the Rwandan Senate.
Ms Henriette Umulisa served in different government positions including Secretary General in the Rwanda Demobilization
Ms Henriette Umulisa served in different government positions including Secretary General in the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF), Senator in the Rwanda Senate and Secretary General for the Rwanda Women Parliamentary Forum (RWPF).
She is a strong Pan Africanist and a passionate advocate for gender promotion and women empowerment and has contributed to Rwanda being among the world champions in gender equality.
Ms Umulisa holds two Masters’ Degrees in Peace Studies and Conflict Transformation from the University of Rwanda, and a Commercial Engineering and International Business forum from the Catholic Institute of Advanced Commercial Studies (ICHEC) in Brussels.
Ms. Shaduri Umutoniwase Rumongi is the Chief Marketing Officer of Rwanda Finance Limited, the company promoting and developing Rwanda
Ms. Shaduri Umutoniwase Rumongi is the Chief Marketing Officer of Rwanda Finance Limited, the company promoting and developing Rwanda as a leading financial destination for international investment and cross-border transactions in Africa.
She has 12 years’ experience in the areas of communications and events management. Prior to becoming a board member, Shaduri worked for the Office of the First Lady as part of the Communications and Protocol team.
She holds degrees in business administration and communications management and is a member of the Public Relations and Communications Association.
Shaduri draws her energy and motivation from communicating about Rwanda’s exciting and inspiring journey.
James Bisabo is the Advisor to the Director General in charge of Imbuto Hubs at Imbuto Foundation. James is deeply passionate about creating joyful, inspiring spaces where children and youth can thrive. With nearly a decade of experience in early childhood education, after-school care, and youth programming in both Rwanda and Belgium, he has consistently championed environments that support holistic development; blending play, creativity, academic support, and emotional growth to foster curiosity, confidence, and connection.
Over the years, James has been a strong advocate for every child’s right to access safe, nurturing spaces, guided by trained, passionate caregivers and filled with a rich variety of activities such as sports, arts, academic support, play, and social engagement. He believes these experiences are among the most powerful ways to nurture positive behavior, build self-esteem, and instill lifelong values like respect, unity, and collaboration.
At Imbuto Foundation, James is helping bring this vision to life through the development of Imbuto Hubs: inclusive, community-driven spaces where every child can feel at home.
Whether he's brainstorming ideas, designing new programmes, building partnerships, or cheering on children at a community sports day, James is committed to helping raise a generation of confident, compassionate, and capable Rwandans ready to lead with purpose.
Aaron Ndizeye is the Head of the Finance & Administration Department at Imbuto Foundation. He possesses extensive experience over 16 years in Grants management and compliance, financial analysis & reporting, designing internal control systems, Human resource management, budgeting and forecasting. He worked with Programmes funded by International organizations, mainly UN Agencies, the Global Fund, the World Bank, DFID, USAID, and different foundations.
Before joining Imbuto Foundation, he worked with the RNP-UNDP Project as Finance Manager. He also worked in Banque Populaire du Rwanda (BPR) as Assistant Project Manager, Budget Officer at Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA), and Accountant at Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC). Audit Committee member of Rwanda National Police. His practice covered financial management, design, setup, and ensured effective implementation of financial, procurement, and Human resource management systems.
Aaron holds a Master’s degree in Accounting & Finance from Mount Kenya University & Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration specializing in Accounting from School of Finance & Banking (SFB). He completed certificate programmes in various fields such as Financial Control & Accountability in the Public Sector, International Financial Reporting Standards, Audit Fundamentals in Public Institutions, Project Proposal development and Resource mobilization, Fundamentals of Budgeting and Financial management.
Alexis Muhire is the Head of the Programmes Department at Imbuto Foundation. He has over nine years of experience in leadership, project management, and socio-economic development. Since joining the Foundation in 2020, he has served in various roles, including Project Officer, Programme Specialist, and Division Manager for Youth Empowerment and Mentorship Programmes, before his current position in 2025. Prior to joining Imbuto Foundation, he worked as a Community Health Supervisor at Rwinkwavu District Hospital.
Alexis holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health with a specialization in Monitoring and Evaluation from Mount Kenya University. He has also completed professional certificate programmes in Strategies for Effective Engagement, Managing Project Risks and Changes, Leadership, Management and Governance for Health Systems Strengthening, and Project Planning and Management.
Beyond his professional role, Alexis has been actively engaged in youth leadership since 2016 and currently serves as a member of the Kirehe District Council.
His work and leadership are guided by his core values of discipline, integrity, innovation, and solidarity.
Felix Hagenimana is the Head of Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting Department at Imbuto Foundation since July 2020. Previously, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at Imbuto Foundation from February 2016 to July 2020.
He also worked as research help desk facilitator and he supported 6 research projects directly with Methodology, Statistical analysis and Manuscript writing at University of Rwanda-College of Medicine and Health Sciences-School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School (HMS) from Jan 2015 to Jan 2016. Initially, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at PYRAMID II USAID funded Project and implemented by University of Rwanda and Borlaug Institute, Texas Agrilife Research in Rwanda from July 2012 to June 2015.
Felix holds a Master’s degree in Applied Statistics from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and Bachelor’s degree in Applied Statistics from University of Rwanda. He’s currently a member of the IBP Network and ResearchGate globally.
Xavier Ngomituje is a results-driven development professional with over a decade of experience in project management, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and applied statistics. He currently serves as Head of the Imbuto Hubs Coordination Office at Imbuto Foundation, where he oversees the national rollout of youth empowerment hubs across Rwanda. His role focuses on strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and ensuring the effective implementation of high-impact, youth-centered programmes.
Prior to this, Xavier served as Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at Imbuto Foundation, contributing to programme planning, data quality assurance, and the production of evidence-based reports that informed organizational decision-making and partner engagement.
Xavier holds a Master of Business Administration in Project Management from Mount Kenya University and a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Statistics from the National University of Rwanda. He spent nearly a decade at the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), where he played a key role in major national initiatives, including the Rwanda Population and Housing Census, the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), and the development of the country’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems.
A published contributor to international research, Xavier is known for his analytical rigor and commitment to using data to drive equitable and sustainable development outcomes.
Anathalie Nyirandagijimana is the Education Division Manager at Imbuto Foundation. She holds a Master of Social Sciences in Gender and Development and has extensive experience in Rwanda’s education sector, with a particular focus on Early Childhood Development (ECD) and pre-primary education.
She previously worked for over 15 years at the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) as a curriculum and instructional materials developer for pre-primary, primary, secondary, and Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs).
Anathalie also has significant experience in capacity building for ECD practitioners, having facilitated numerous training and professional development programmes aimed at improving the delivery of early learning services.
Prior to her curriculum work, she spent over 20 years as a tutor of Foundations of Education and Teaching Methods subjects, supporting pre-service teacher trainees in developing the skills and competencies necessary to foster young children’s growth and learning.
Her career is rooted in a deep commitment to inclusive, gender-responsive education and in improving early learning outcomes for all children in Rwanda.
Natacha Rwigamba is the Division Manager of the Health Division at Imbuto Foundation, a role she has held since April 2025. She initially joined the organization in 2019 as a Project Officer and later took on the role of Programme Specialist in the Family Planning Programme /Health Division.
Prior to her work at Imbuto Foundation, she was the Project Manager for Child Protection Programmes at Uyisenga Ni Imanzi. With over a decade of experience, Natacha has built a multidisciplinary background in international cooperation, project management, conflict management, and psychotherapy, with a particular focus on the narrative therapy approach.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Cooperation, specializing in Project Management from La Haute École de la Province de Namur. She has also studied Conflict Management at EAFC Namur-Cadets.
Beyond her professional commitments, Natacha has a keen interest in general knowledge games, educational documentaries, and community volunteering.
Edwige Isimbi is the Division Manager of the Youth Empowerment Division at Imbuto Foundation, where she coordinates the implementation of programmes that support youth to become innovative, engaged, and empowered citizens. With a strong foundation in project management, strategic communication, and event coordination, she brings a purposeful and impact-driven approach to youth development.
Edwige holds a Master of Science in Project Management and Planning from Mount Kenya University and a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Her academic background complements her hands-on experience leading initiatives focused on youth capacity building, community engagement, and programme sustainability.
Throughout her career and personal life, Edwige has actively contributed to various high-level national and continental youth initiatives. She has served as a trainer for the African Union Youth Volunteer Corps and was part of the organizing secretariat for the YouthConnekt Africa Summit 2019 and CHOGM 2022. Her values are rooted in a genuine passion for empowering youth and women to thrive.
Edwige draws energy from witnessing young people grow and make a real impact in their communities. Outside of work, she enjoys creating content and capturing meaningful moments.
Jean de Dieu Niyigena is the Division manager responsible for accounts and budgets at the Imbuto Foundation.
He has more than seven years of experience in the financial sector, especially in the effective and efficient management of funds.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from the University of Rwanda (former School of Finance and Banking (SFB)) and a Master’s degree in Project Management from the University of Kigali.
Jean De Dieu served as an accountant from September 2016 to July 2021, thereafter, he was appointed as Senior accountant from August 2021 to August 2022, he then took over as division manager in charge of the accounts and budget under the finance department in September 2022 to date.
Jean De Dieu is an engaged staff member, dedicatedly working with his team to smoothly execute all tasks and responsibilities on time and in good quality.
Ms. Marie Claire Uwamahoro has nine 12 years of experience working with various institutions in Project Coordination
Marie Claire Uwamahoro is a seasoned professional with over thirteen (13) years of experience in Project Coordination, Public Service Human Resource Management Inspection, Service Delivery Audits, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Advisory Services. Her career has spanned multiple organizations, where she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to advancing excellence in human resource management and organizational development.
Marie Claire is passionate about the formulation and implementation of effective Human Resource Management policies and strategies, ensuring alignment with established principles, policies, and legal frameworks. Her expertise includes working collaboratively across diverse teams and organizations, with a strong focus on data-driven decision-making and ethical leadership.
Since joining Imbuto Foundation in 2022, she has continued to leverage her extensive skills to contribute to impactful, people-centered initiatives. Marie Claire excels in bridging operational HR practices with strategic policy development, fostering environments that support organizational growth and employee well-being.
She holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Public Administration. Her dedication to fostering progressive, effective, and ethical HR practices makes her a valuable contributor to every team and initiative she leads.
Christian Mbabazi is the Division Manager of Resource Mobilization and Partnerships where he focuses on strengthening regular relationships between Imbuto Foundation and partners. He is a seasoned economist with over a decade of expertise in different sectors such as public, private, and (I)NGOs.
Prior to joining The Foundation, Christian was a lecturer at UR-CBE, School of Economics where he taught Econometrics, Microeconomics and National Economic Account and Policy Analysis and has done other academic related activities. He has a background in banking sector where he worked in the World Bank Group and Bank of Kigali Plc.
He enjoys research and he has been contributing in different activities at Institute of Policy Analysis and Research-Rwanda, (IPAR-Rwanda). His areas mainly concentrated on Capital Markets, Investments, Economic Growth in Rwanda.
Christian earned his bachelor’s and Master’s degree of Science in Economics from the University of Rwanda.
Martine Umukunzi is the PR & Communications Division Manager at Imbuto Foundation, bringing over a decade of expertise in strategic communication, media management, branding, and events coordination.
She began her journey with the Foundation as an intern, later served as a Communications Officer, and later took on the role of leading the Division. In this capacity, she has designed and led communication campaigns, developed a wide range of communication materials, and provided writing and speechwriting support for high-level engagements.
Beyond her role at the Foundation, Martine has served on various national working committees for major events, contributing to both content development and communication strategies. These experiences have further strengthened her ability to craft impactful messaging and coordinate large-scale communication efforts.
Martine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication and has pursued further studies in International Relations and Diplomacy, enriching her perspective on global communication and strategic positioning. Her professional journey has sharpened her skills in content creation, media and social media management, branding, events management, and speechwriting.
She is guided by the values of Humility, Integrity, Discipline, and Solidarity.
Jean de Dieu Kayiranga joined Imbuto Foundation in 2015 as a District Supervisor, where he was responsible for coordinating and overseeing the Foundation’s programs at the local level. In 2018, he was promoted to Project Officer, a role in which he gained significant experience in project planning and design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and stakeholder engagement.
In 2021, He was promoted to Education Division Manager, where he provided strategic leadership across the Foundation’s education initiatives. This role further strengthened his expertise in strategic planning, team management, capacity building, budgeting, and resource mobilization. Currently, he serves as a Technical Advisor in charge of Operations within the Imbuto Hubs Coordination Office.
Jean de Dieu is passionate about teamwork, community development, and sports. His career reflects a strong commitment to advancing inclusive practices that empower communities and foster sustainable growth.
Isabelle Kalisa is a committed public health professional with over 14 years of experience in designing, managing, and implementing health programmes in Rwanda and internationally. Her expertise focused on key areas such as Adolescent, Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health (AYSRH) and HIV prevention.
Since joining Imbuto Foundation in 2013, Isabelle has served in several capacities and currently holds the position of Technical Advisor in charge of Programmes within the Imbuto Hubs Coordination Office. In this role, she contributes to the strategic planning and coordination of community-based health initiatives, youth skills development, and economic empowerment.
Previously, Isabelle served for six years as Health Division Manager, where she led the design, implementation and management of people-centered programmes in ASRH, family planning, and mental health. She brings a solid background in programme design, implementation, and management, as well as in donor coordination and multi-sectoral stakeholder engagement. Isabelle has actively contributed to several national technical working groups, playing a key role in shaping health policies and practices in areas including HIV prevention, teenage pregnancy prevention, Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH), and Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH).
She holds a Master’s degree in Public Health with a specialization in Health Promotion, and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Health Studies from Leeds Beckett University in the United Kingdom.
