Tony Rwigamba passed away peacefully on the evening of April 16, 2026, surrounded by his family, leaving behind a profound void in the lives of all who knew him. He was 57 years old.
Born on December 30, 1968, in Uganda, Tony was the son of the late Leonard Rwigamba and Domitilla Rwigamba. Raised in a family of twelve children, Tony stood at the center of it—steady, generous, and deeply committed to those he loved. He was not simply part of the family; he was its anchor.
Tony was a man of substance. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Lesotho and later a Master’s degree in Project Management from the University of Quebec in Hull. He approached his work with discipline, purpose, and a refusal to accept limits.
He worked briefly with the Canada Revenue Agency, but his true calling was service. Tony dedicated the majority of his career to community work, particularly in the non-profit sector. Together with his wife, Odette Uwambaye, whom he married in November 2003, he co-founded the Rwandan Social Services and Family Counselling organization in Ottawa. Through this work, and others both locally and internationally, Tony devoted himself to supporting families and strengthening communities.
Tony carried his Rwandan heritage with pride and lived fully between Canada and Rwanda, investing his time, energy, and heart into both countries.
Above all, Tony was a devoted husband, father, brother, and uncle, and family and community man.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Odette, and four children: Imena, Iraba, Icyeza, and Reatila, as well as two grandchildren through Reatila.
He is also survived by his sisters Mary (Emmanuel Rukondo), Odette (Dan Stepchuk), Rosette (Alex Shoumatoff), Rosine, Rosalie (Aimable), Rose (late Afred) and his brother Kimenyi, along with their families.
Tony shared a deep and personal bond with each of his nieces and nephews, and with their children, whom he treated as an extension of his own family: including Ngwiza, Ganwa, and Bravito, Myles and Natasha, Oliver, Zackary, and Edgar, Benjamin, Patrick, and Richard, Shani, Flower, Megan (her husband Roland), Picuna, Wallen, and Walter, Shema; Bahizi ( his wife Uwera, and his niece Isimbi and her brothers);
Benya (his wife Grace, and their three children); Monday (and her daughter Leen); Bugingo; and Regan, Hebert (his wife Hope, and their three children); Allen (her husband David, and their children); Angela (her husband Maxime, and their two children); Lisa (her husband David, and their son Ziga); Vyara (her husband Mario, and their children Eza and Charles); and Teta (husband Andrew, and their children Kwezi and Rugwe), Kirezi (predeceased, leaving his wife Divine and their three children); Rusalo; Ruhimbi; Rugwiro; Kinani; Kigenza; Kizingenza; and Kirima; Rachel (her husband Cyrus, and their three children); Monica; Punch (his wife Violette, and their two children); Betty (husband Mugisha, and their seven children); and granddaughter Brenda; Jacques; Gilles (his wife Ernestine, and their two children); Jacqueline (husband Andre, and their daughter Maya); Gilbert (his wife Sarah, and their children Zariya and Erikya); Stella (her husband Titi, and their children Gisa and Vito); Gildas (his wife Keanta, and their three children); and Janvier (his wife Nadia, and their three children).
Tony also leaves behind many grandchildren across the family, numerous cousins, and his beloved Uncle Kalisa, who loved him as his own.
Tony was predeceased by his siblings Alpha, Alfred, Albert, and Kirenga, whose children and grandchildren remained closely connected to him throughout his life.
Tony was known for his kindness, resilience, and quiet strength. He encouraged others when they doubted themselves. He showed up when it mattered. He believed that nothing was impossible—and lived accordingly.
More than anything, Tony was the one who brought people together. He was the bridge in his family—the person who kept connections alive across distance, generations, and hardship.
His loss is deeply felt. His impact will endure.
“He was the one who held us together—with quiet strength, open hands, and a heart that never turned anyone away.”