Africa-Press – Rwanda. Rwandan football fraternity is mourning Madeleine Mukanemeye, the famous elderly woman affectionately known as “Mama Mukura” for her unconditional love for Huye-based club Mukura Victory Sports, has died aged 103.
Her passing was announced by the club on Sunday, August 3, via its social media platforms. The club said she died under “sudden circumstances.”
Mukanemeye had been admitted at Kabutare Hospital in March before being transferred to the University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB) a day later after doctors found that she critically ill.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Olivier Nduhungirehe was among the first to send tributes for Mukanemeye who, regardless her age, barely missed matches that both Mukura VS and Rwanda’s national team Amavubi hosted at Huye Stadium.
“RIP (Rest In Peace) Madeleine Mukanemeye, aka Mama Mukura,” Nduhungirehe, who is also an ardent supporter of Mukura VS, posted on x.
Who was Mukanemeye?
Mukanemeye was born in 1922 in Kabitoki Village, Munazi Cell, Save Sector, Gisagara District; she was the youngest in a family of eight children.
She attended primary school but dropped out in the third grade to work as a cook for nuns in Kibeho, Nyaruguru District.
She got to married in 1965, but they had no children.
Her passion for football dates back to her young age when she was in primary school. She even tried to play it.
She used to go to watch football matches where boys from the neighbourhood would play and sometimes she would play with them.
She told the media that, when she was young, she went to watch football matches attended by King Mutara III Rudahigwa.
Mukanemeye started to support Mukura VS from the day it was founded in 1963. She is also an avid fan of Rwanda’s national team ‘Amavubi’ and barely missed a single match they hosted at Huye Stadium.
During the presidential campaign Mukanemeye was supporting RPF Inkotanyi’s candidate Paul Kagame.
Mukanemeye and fellow Amavubi fan Rwarutabura pose for a photo at Huye Stadium
Cyprus-based Dylan Maes greets Mukanemeye as the U23 national team paid a visit to the elderly woman at her house in Gisagara District.
The national U-23 football team, on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, visited and donated a football jersey to Madeleine Mukanemeye.
Madeleine Mukanemeye, the elderly woman affectionately known as Mama Mukura, arrives at Huye stadium to support Amavubi
National football team fan Mukanemeye after attending Rwanda-Zimbabwe game at Huye Stadium in 2023.
National team fan Mukanemeye at Huye stadium as Amavubi hosted Zimbabwe in 2023
Fred Siewe, VCWC founder and Chairperson and Madeleine Mukanemeye pose for a photo in Gisagara District. Photos by Alexis Kayinamura
Amavubi player Hakim Sahabo poses for a photo with Mukanemeye.
U23 head coach Yves Rwasamanzi and Mukanemeye at her home in Gisagara.
Players greet Madeleine Mukanemeye at Gisagara. Mukanemeye welcoming the national team players at her home on October 18, 2022.
National team fan Mukanemeye at Huye stadium as Amavubi hosted Zimbabwe in 2023
Madeleine Mukanemeye, the elderly woman affectionately known as Mama Mukura
Mukanemeye was also Team Rwanda cycling fan. Seen here during Tour du Rwanda in Huye.
Madeleine Mukanemeye, the elderly woman affectionately known as Mama Mukura
Mukanemeye holds AS Kigali flags at Huye stadium
Mukura VS on Sunday, August 4, announced the passing of one of club’s oldest fans Madeleine Mukanemeye-courtesy
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