This post discusses the upper house of Rwanda which is the senate, the function and members; in addition the it list the presidents of the senate.
The upper house of the Parliament of Rwanda is the Senate. The Senate has 26 members elected or appointed for eight-year terms: 12 elected by provincial councils, eight appointed by the President of the Republic to ensure the representation of historically marginalized communities, four by the National Consultative Forum of Political Organizations, and two elected by the staff of the universities (one public, one private). Additionally, former presidents can request to become a member of the Senate.
Read: CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES (RWANDA)
The Senate was established in 2003
The Senate is a body elected by the population and entrusted with acting on behalf of the population.
THE MAIN FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE SENATE ARE:
– Representing the population;
– Passing legislation;
– Scrutinizing and overseeing executive action;
– Approving the appointment of State Officials referred to in Article 88 of the Constitution;
– Supervising the application of the fundamental principles referred to in Articles 10 and the previsions of article 56 & 57 of the Constitution.
Read: POLITICAL HISTORY OF RWANDA
THE SENATE OF RWANDA HAS 26 MEMBERS INCLUDING:
• 12 senators elected by the specific councils in accordance with the administrative entities;
• 8 senators appointed by the President of the Republic;
• 4 senators designated by the Forum of Political organizations;
• 1 senator elected among lecturers and researchers of Public Universities and higher learning institutions;
• 1 senator elected among lecturers and researchers of Private Universities and higher learning institutions.
After the transitional period (1994-2003), the first legislature of the Senate commenced in 2003 and ended in 2011. The second legislature of the Senate commenced in 2011 and will end in 2019
PRESIDENTS
| Name | Took office | Left office |
| Vincent Biruta | August 2003 | October 2011 |
| Jean-Damascène Ntawukuriryayo | 10 October 2011 | 14 October 2014 |
| Bernard Makuza | 14 October 2014 | 17 October 2019 |
| Augustin Iyamuremye | 17 October 2019 | 9 December 2022 |
| François-Xavier Kalinda | 9 January 2023 | Incumbent |