The upper house of the Parliament of Rwanda (Kinyarwanda: Inteko Ishinga Amategeko) is the Senate (Sena). The Senate has 26 members elected or appointed for eight-year terms: 12 elected by provincial and sectoral councils, 8 appointed by the President of the Republic to ensure the representation of historically marginalized communities, 4 by the Forum of Political Parties, and 2 elected by the staff of the universities. Additionally, former presidents can request to become a member of the Senate.