Uwilingiyimana rose to national prominence after joining politics, especially through her work at the Ministry of Education. She entered public service with a clear vision: ensuring equal educational opportunities for all children, at a time when the system was governed by the policy of ethnic and regional quotas.
She also made history as Rwanda's first female Prime Minister, serving under President Juvénal Habyarimana. The two, however, held sharply different views, particularly on government policies that promoted exclusion and oppression.
Agathe Uwilingiyimana was killed by soldiers from the Presidential Guard shortly after President Habyarimana's plane was shot down.
Beyond politics, she played a key role in founding SERUKA (an association advocating for the development of women and families) and contributed significantly to the establishment of Forum for African Women Education ( FAWE), an organization dedicated to promoting education for African women and girls. She strongly advocated for women's inclusion in leadership and decision-making positions.
Before becoming widely known as a politician, Uwilingiyimana was a teacher at the Groupe Scolaire Officiel de Butare, a profession that deeply shaped her values and leadership style.
A woman rooted in culture and discipline
Angélique Mpinganzima, her niece, told IGIHE that Uwilingiyimana was also her godmother. At the time of the Genocide, Mpinganzima was 17 years old.
She described Uwilingiyimana as a woman deeply attached to Rwandan culture, both in dress and in family traditions.
'Agathe respected Rwandan cultural practices to a remarkable degree. Whenever she gave birth, she would formally present the child to the family, accompanied by celebrations, including at her in-laws' home. I clearly remember when she gave birth to her third childâ€"she came wearing a traditional crown. She truly valued our culture,' Mpinganzima recalled.
In her daily life, Uwilingiyimana was known for her discipline, strong sense of organization, and respect for time.
'She always wrote down her weekly schedule. Changing her plans was very difficult because everything she did was carefully planned. She was not the type of person who would get distracted by visits or long conversations and forget her responsibilities,' she said.
Her entry into politics
According to Mpinganzima, Uwilingiyimana did not initially expect to become Minister of Education, as she was already engaged in other professional responsibilities.
When she was about to enter politics, many people tried to discourage her, telling her that politics was not meant for women and that she could pursue a more comfortable career. Despite this pressure, she remained determined.
'They would tell her, 'Agathe, you are well educated, you could easily get a good jobâ€"why get into politics?' And she would reply, 'There are things I must do for the benefit of others. People from Butare, Gitarama, and Gikongoro have been marginalized. Our children are not going to school. I cannot just stand by and watch,'' Mpinganzima recounted.
Even before joining politics, Uwilingiyimana openly opposed injustice in the education system. This explains why one of her main battles was against the quota system, and why she worked to help many children who had dropped out of school return to their studies.
Her appointment as minister was a historic moment for her home area.
'It was a source of pride for the family, the community, and even the country. She was the first person from our areaâ€"near the Burundi borderâ€"to ever become a minister. It was something extraordinary,' Mpinganzima said.
Killed for opposing genocide
Agathe Uwilingiyimana was among the first national leaders to be killed following the downing of President Habyarimana's plane on April 6, 1994. She was murdered on April 7, the very day the Genocide against the Tutsi began openly. Some family members learned of her death early that morning.
'We heard that the Prime Minister had been killed. My parents, uncles, and other relatives gathered at my grandfather's home. The entire hill came togetherâ€"people abandoned their farming and returned home. There was nothing we could do. We just sat there, helpless,' Mpinganzima recalled.
The situation soon became even more dangerous, as the family was accused of being responsible for the country's collapse, with claims that Uwilingiyimana had 'betrayed' the nation.
They were eventually saved when Interahamwe militiamen fled after hearing that the RPF had reached Save, allowing the family to escape to Burundi.
A lasting lesson for women
The last piece of advice Mpinganzima remembers from Uwilingiyimana was her encouragement to learn vocational skills. She later followed that advice, studying tailoring, and is now a vocational instructor.
'The biggest lesson she taught me is courageâ€"especially as a woman. She showed us that if you decide to do something, you can achieve it. That should be a lesson for all women,' she said.
'She never limited herself by where she came from or waited for someone to speak on her behalf. She didn't ask who would support her. As women, we should learn from her and seize every opportunity we get.'
A brief profile
Agathe Uwilingiyimana was born on June 23, 1953, in Gikore, in the former Butare Prefecture. She was the daughter of Ntibashirakandi Yuvenali and Nyirantibangwa Saverina. In 1976, she married Ignace Barahira, with whom she had three children.
From February 1989 to April 1992, she served as Director of Small and Medium Enterprises at the Ministry of Industry.
From April 16, 1992, to July 16, 1993, she was Minister of Primary and Secondary Education.
She became Rwanda's first female Prime Minister on July 17, 1993, serving until April 7, 1994, when she was assassinated by members of the Presidential Guard.
Agathe Uwilingiyimana remains a powerful symbol of integrity, courage, and resistance to injustice in Rwanda's history.
IGIHE
