Following the resignation, President Paul Kagame named Dr. Kalinda as his successor on 6th January 2023.

Dr. Kalinda was elected as the Senate President after swearing-in on Monday 9th January 2023.

His candidature to the position was proposed by Senate Vice President, Esperance Nyirasafari.

“I know him for over 25 years. He holds a PhD in Law , spend long time serving as a lecturer at the University of Rwanda- School of Law, taught many who are currently assuming different duties, and I am pretty sure that he taught many present in this room including me,” she said.

“He is an honest man, who was and is still appreciated by all students from their respective locations. They commend him for integrity and having shared with them knowledge that served as the cornerstone helping them to fulfill their responsibilities,” added Nyirasafari.

She explained that Dr. Kalinda is not new in parliament as he served as a member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) for the past seven years and requested all the 26 senators to vote him.

Senator Niyomugabo Cyprien proposed the candidature of Umuhire Adrie describing her as a woman with virtues, knowledge and expertize in politics and governance. She serves as the Chairperson of Senatorial Standing Committee on Social Affairs and Human Rights.

Senator Umuhire said that the senate has a large number of women serving as chairpersons of different committees and asked the President of the Republic to accept the withdrawal of her candidature to allow for gender balance.

After withdrawing her candidature, Dr. Kalinda was unanimously elected by all 26 senators.

Dr. Kalinda was born in Kitabi Sector of Nyamagabe District. He holds a PhD in Business Law acquired from Ottawa University in Canada.

He pursued undergraduate and Master’s courses at the National University of Rwanda.

In 2015, Dr. Kalinda was elected to represent Rwanda in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) replacing Parliamentarian Céléstin Kabahizi who had resigned.

He once served as a lecturer and Dean of School of Law at University of Rwanda.