Jeannette Kagame

Jeannette Nyiramongi Kagame (Jeannette Nyiramongi, born 10 August 1962) is the wife of Paul Kagame, the President of Rwanda since 2000. She became the First Lady of Rwanda when her husband took office. Kagame is the founder and chairman of Imbuto Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to support the development of a healthy, educated and prosperous society.

Jeannette Kagame returned to her native Rwanda following the 1994 Rwandan genocide. She has since focused on issues affecting vulnerable population in Rwanda, particularly those of widows, orphans and impoverished families.

Biography Kagame holds a degree in Business and Management.

Kagame hosted the first African First Ladies’ Summit on Children and HIV/AIDS Prevention in May 2001 in Kigali. The foundation implements various projects such as extending basic care and economic support to HIV affected families; enhancing knowledge and changing attitudes towards adolescent sexual and reproductive health; protecting youth against HIV/AIDS; In the same year, she was appointed Special Representative on Child Nutrition by the World Food Program (WFP). In 2009, UNICEF presented the Children’s Champions Award to President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame in recognition of their efforts at improving the lives of children in Rwanda.