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Is Rwanda home to the world’s oldest living person?

By IGIHE
On 6 November 2023 at 10:39

In a remarkable discovery, Léonidas Sebugabo, a resident of the Nyanza cell in the Cyanika Sector of Nyamagabe District, has emerged as a compelling contender for the title of the world’s oldest living person. As per official records, Mr. Sebugabo’s identification card indicates a birth year of 1900, placing him firmly in the spotlight as a potential record holder for longevity.

The current record holder for this prestigious title, as recognized by Guinness World Records, is Maria Branyas Morera, a Spanish woman born in 1907.

Remarkably, at the age of 123, Sebugabo proudly declares himself as the last surviving member of his generation in his native region, while still retaining his hearing and vision.

Sebugabo’s recollections transport us to a bygone era, including memories of the construction of Cyanika church in 1935, which involved a tragic incident where a man fell to his demise. His reminiscences also extend to the time of King Yuhi V Musinga’s reign, who ruled from 1896 to 1931.

A father to twelve children from three different marriages, Sebugabo is unsure about the precise number of his descendants.

Currently, his granddaughter, Laurène Kantanga, aged 60, provides him with care and is supported by a monthly allowance of Rwf12,000.

Both Sebugabo and Kantanga express their heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Rwanda for this invaluable financial assistance.

A neighbor, François Musabyimana, fondly recalls Sebugabo’s tales about the colonial era and even believes that the centenarian could be over 130 years old.

Figures released in 2022 revealed a significant increase in life expectancy in Rwanda, rising from 51 years in 2002 to an impressive 69.6 years in 2022.

Sebugabo is unsure about the precise number of his descendants.
The identity card of Leonidas Sebugabo.
Sebugabo, presumed to be 123 years old, faces mobility challenges that make it crucial for him to receive unwavering support from his loved ones in order to enable him to go outside.

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