Philippe Rukamba

Philippe Rukamba (born 26 May 1948) is a Rwandan Roman Catholic prelate who served as the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Butare, Rwanda from 1997 until his age-related retirement in 2024. Between May 2012 and November 2014, he served as the Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Gikongoro, in Rwanda. He was appointed bishop of Butare on 2 January 1997 by Pope John Paul II. He retired on 12 August 2024 at the age of 76 years. He lives on as the Bishop Emeritus of Butare, Rwanda.

Early life and education He was born on 26 May 1948 in Kabarondo, Kayonza District, Eastern Province in the Diocese of Kibungo, in Rwanda. He was baptized on 29 May 1948.

He studied in primary schools in Rwinkwavu, Rulindo, Rwamagana and Zaza, in that order. He entered the Minor Seminary of Kabgayi in 1961. He transferred to the Saint Paul Seminary in Kigali in 1965. He began his studies at Nyakibanda Major Seminary on 14 September 1968, where he studied both philosophy and Theology.