Nyiranyamibwa, who died on October 16, 2026, aged 83, was laid to rest following a funeral attended by family members, friends, fellow musicians and fans who gathered to pay tribute to her contribution to preserving and promoting Rwandan traditional music and culture.

Those in attendance included the Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr. Jean-Damascène Bizimana, former Minister of State in the Ministry of Youth and Arts Edouard Bamporiki, and several musicians, including Mariya Yohana and Cyusa Ibrahim.

The farewell ceremony began in the morning and was followed by a requiem Mass at Regina Pacis Parish. The service was led by retired Bishop Philippe Rukamba before her body was taken to Rusororo Cemetery for burial.

The occasion provided an opportunity to reflect on her life and the legacy she left in Rwandan music.

The final farewell followed a night vigil held on October 23, 2026, during which family members and friends celebrated her life.

Nyiranyamibwa was one of the musicians who played a significant role in preserving Rwandan traditional music. She was known for songs including Telefone ko ititaba, Ni muberwe bakobwa, Ese mbaze nde?, Ndavunyisha and Nkumbuye iwacu.

She was also among the founders of Itorero Isamaza, a cultural troupe that played a role in supporting Rwanda’s liberation struggle. Her musical works celebrated patriotism, Rwandan culture and the country’s history. Some of her songs have also been used in commemorations of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

In 1973, Nyiranyamibwa fled Rwanda to escape persecution targeting the Tutsi. She initially lived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo before moving to Belgium, where she spent many years. She returned to Rwanda in 2016.