Alain Mukuralinda laid to rest

Alain Bernard Mukuralinda, Rwanda’s former Deputy Government Spokesperson, who passed away in early April 2025 following complications from a heart attack, was laid to rest in his home district of Rulindo, Northern Province. His burial took place on April 10, 2025, at Rulindo Parish Cemetery, after a requiem mass led by the Archbishop of Kigali, Cardinal Antoine Kambanda, at Rulindo Catholic Parish. The event drew a distinguished crowd, including government ministers, Prosecutor General Angelique Habyarimana, Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo, Rwanda National Police Spokesperson ACP Boniface Rutikanga, and Rwanda Broadcasting Agency Director General Cleophas Barore, among others. Musicians, artists, and athletes also gathered to pay their respects. In his homily, Cardinal Kambanda expressed the deep sorrow felt by those who knew Mukuralinda. “Death is painful when it takes someone like Alain Mukuralinda—someone vital to his family and destined for even greater things. Yet, while it saddens us, life does not end with death,” he said. The Cardinal praised Mukuralinda’s generosity, strong faith, and commitment to nurturing young talent, especially children from disadvantaged backgrounds. “That is a powerful legacy he has left us,” he added. In a heartfelt tribute, Mukuralinda's widow, Martine Gatabazi, reflected on the 29 years she had known him—from their youthful days as students in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, to their marriage and raising their children, Nella and Anthony. “You’re leaving, but not leaving me empty-handed. You leave behind a heart and mind full of wonderful memories, shared moments, and deep emotions,” she said. She described him as a man who dreamed big and loved deeply, especially their children, whom he once sang about in a song titled Martina. “I promise to raise them with your values and to honour your name. I will tell them every day about the incredible man you were,” she said. “You had many dreams, and you fulfilled many. Now you’ve become a star—the thousandth one in the galaxy.” Mukuralinda, who passed away while receiving treatment at King Faisal Hospital, had an outstanding career in public service spanning over two decades. Before his appointment in the Office of the Government Spokesperson in 2021, he had served in the Rwandan prosecution service since 2002, rising to the position of national prosecutor and spokesperson of the National Public Prosecution Authority. He held a law degree obtained in 1998 from Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium.