Dr. Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, head of the UN Support Office in Somalia, has passed away, leaving behind decades of service in diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and development across Africa.
Mogadishu, Somalia — The United Nations and Somalia are mourning the loss of Dr. Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, the Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), whose leadership played a pivotal role in advancing stability and humanitarian support in the country. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expressed his “deepest condolences,” describing Dr. Kacyira as a “steadfast leader whose dedication made a lasting contribution to Somalia’s stability and prosperity.”
Appointed UNSOS Chief by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in February 2023, Dr. Kacyira brought over 30 years of experience spanning diplomacy, political leadership, humanitarian assistance, and development work. Prior to her Somalia post, she served as Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Ghana and non-resident representative to multiple West African nations, Governor of Rwanda’s Eastern Province, Executive Mayor of Kigali, and as a Member of Parliament.
On the international stage, she was Deputy Executive Director of UN-Habitat from 2011 to 2018 and worked in agricultural and humanitarian programs with Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Oxfam, and Care International. Her educational credentials included a Master of Veterinary Science from James Cook University in Australia and a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine from Makerere University in Uganda.
UNSOS, under Dr. Kacyira’s leadership, provided essential logistical support to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and other UN operations in the country. Her dedication and professionalism earned recognition for her unwavering commitment to the mission and to Somalia’s path toward peace and development.
Dr. Kacyira’s passing leaves a void in both the UN and Somali communities, but her legacy of leadership, service, and dedication continues to inspire humanitarian and development efforts across the region. The UN and Somali authorities have extended condolences to her family, Rwanda, and all those impacted by her decades of service.
Takeaway/Call-to-Action: Her life and work underscore the critical role of committed leadership in advancing peace, development, and humanitarian aid reminding the international community of the lasting impact one dedicated leader can make.