Patricia Hajabakiga

Patricia Hajabakiga is a Rwandan public-policy and political figure whose career has focused on land policy, environmental protection, women’s rights, and regional integration. Born in 1956 in Nyanza District, she returned to Rwanda in 1994 after years in exile and later became involved in the country’s post-genocide reconstruction and public policy. Hajabakiga served as an elected member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) during its 2007–2012 and 2012–2017 assemblies. During her second term, she was involved in regional legislation including the East African Community Polythene Materials Control Bill, 2016 and the EAC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Bill, 2013. Her public-policy work has included land reform and women's property rights, environmental conservation, plastic-waste regulation, and regional policy coordination. In a 2026 interview with The New Times, she reflected on the reforms that gave women stronger legal recognition in land ownership and inheritance. Quotes We must maintain what we have built,” she says. Patricia Hajabakiga: One woman’s role in public policy after Liberation. newtimes.co.rw (September 22, 2026). Development is not a destination, it is a continuous process. Patricia Hajabakiga: One woman’s role in public policy after Liberation. newtimes.co.rw (September 22, 2026). We had to build policies, recruit staff, define the structure of the ministry itself, and even decide how it should function in practice. Nothing was predefined for us. Patricia Hajabakiga: One woman’s role in public policy after Liberation. The newtimes (October 14, 2026). We have obtained the rights, but having those rights is not enough. We need to understand why we are seeking these responsibilities Women urged to seek local leadership with clear understanding of responsibilities. Visionmedia (October 14, 2026) Liberation, in her reflection, is not a single moment but an ongoing responsibility shared across generations and institutions."It is collective work,” she says simply. Patricia Hajabakiga: One woman’s role in public policy after Liberation. newtimes.co.rw (September 22, 2026). We are better than before,” she says Patricia Hajabakiga: One woman’s role in public policy after Liberation. newtimes.co.rw (September 22, 2026). We really started from scratch,” she says Patricia Hajabakiga: One woman’s role in public policy after Liberation. newtimes.co.rw (September 22, 2026). It was a major shift in our legal and social system,” she says. Patricia Hajabakiga: One woman’s role in public policy after Liberation. newtimes.co.rw (September 22, 2026). Once the fund is in place, it will facilitate the region to deal with the effects of climate change through a portfolio of actions aimed at mitigation, adaptation and improving knowledge on climate change issues,” she said. EALA calls for climate change mitigation fund. newtimes.co.rw (September 23, 2026). we will continue to encourage other states to support this bill to improve the life of albinos because it’s not expensive to cut the waiver on these kind of taxes,” Hajebakiga said. Budget Constraints Hit EALA, Resorts to Video Conferencing. ktpress.rw (September 23, 2026). Rwanda has short routes and it can complete them in a very short time. Rwanda May Wait for Railway Until 2030. ktpress.rw (September 23, 2026).