Deo Kambanda, a distinguished academic and former Rector of the University of Rwanda—then known as the National University of Rwanda (UNR)—passed away on Sunday, August 11, at the age of 90. According to a family source, he died peacefully at around 2AM following a brief illness for which he was receiving treatment at King Faisal Hospital. His passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Rwanda’s educational history, where he played a pivotal role in shaping generations of scholars and educators.
Kambanda’s career in education spanned decades, beginning in the mid-1960s when he taught at Groupe Scolaire Officiel de Butare from 1966 to 1968. He later joined the Institut Pédagogique National (IPN) in 1968, continuing his dedication to academic excellence. His pursuit of knowledge led him to the United States, where he earned a PhD from the University of Maryland between 1977 and 1979. Upon returning to Rwanda, he remained deeply committed to teaching and leadership, eventually serving as Rector of UNR from 1995 to 1997, a period marked by national recovery and rebuilding.
Colleagues and former students remember Kambanda not only for his academic rigor but also for his warmth, humor, and unwavering support for young talent. Innocent Twagirimana, Dean of the School of Education at the University of Rwanda, recalled first meeting him in 1987 at the Nyakinama campus, where Kambanda taught in the Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences. “He was a man who loved everyone and brought a remarkable sense of humor to his interactions. Students truly enjoyed his classes. Beyond academics, he was deeply committed to teaching morals and values. He tirelessly supported students who survived the Genocide against the Tutsi,” Twagirimana shared.
Pravda Mfurankunda, a lecturer in the School of Arts, Languages and Communication Studies, described Kambanda as a humble and approachable scholar whose kindness resonated with both students and colleagues. “He was a humble scholar whose humour and kindness left a lasting impression. He was also a bilingual intellectual, speaking both English and French with fluency,” Mfurankunda noted. Kambanda’s legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched and the enduring values he instilled in Rwanda’s academic community. His contributions will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude.