The ceremony took place at Urugwiro Village on Wednesday 7th June 2023.
Speaking at the ceremony, Kagame reminded them to serve the nation and Rwandans with dedication in their respective responsibilities.
“Wherever one works, they must focus on their duties, perform them well, with the understanding of the importance of those responsibilities and how they will contribute to the livelihoods of Rwandans,” he stated.
The Head of State also underscored that collaboration among leaders is paramount to deliver on expectations.
Marizamunda replaced Maj Gen Albert Murasira who had held the position since October 2018.
Prior to this new appointment, Marizamunda served as the Commissioner General of the Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS) from 2021, following his transfer from the Rwanda National Police (RNP) where he worked as the Deputy Inspector General in Charge of Operations.
Marizamunda had previously served as a soldier in RDF before being transferred to RNP in 2014.
He held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel at the time.
Meanwhile, Lt Gen Muganga, the new CDS, previously served as the Army Chief of Staff (ACOS).
He replaced Gen Jean Bosco Kazura, who held the position since 2019.
Among others, Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi, former Head of Military Intelligence, has been appointed Army Chief of Staff while Colonel Francis Regis Gatarayiha, who previously served as his deputy, has been named Acting Head of Military Intelligence in the RDF.
Two notable promotions include Felly Bahizi Rutagerura and Yahya Mugabo Kamunuga, who have been elevated from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) to Commissioner of Police (CP).
CP Felly Bahizi Rutagerura currently serves as the Chief of Operations for the Police component under the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), while CP Yahya Mugabo Kamunuga previously held the position of Police FC Chairman.
Additionally, seven police officers have been promoted from the rank of Chief Superintendent (CSP) to Assistant Commissioner of Police. These individuals are Francis Muheto, who serves as the Commander of Police in the Northern Province, Augustin Kuradupagase, Tom Gasana, Silas Karekezi, Celestin Kazungu, Augustin Ntaganira, and Jean Pierre Rutajoga.
Among others, 20 police officers have been promoted from Assistant Inspector of Police to Inspector of Police, one from AIP to CIP, 120 from CIP to Superintendent, 46 from Senior Superintendent to CSP, and 329 were elevated to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP).
The statement also indicated the approval of a ministerial order with significant number of promotions for Non-Commissioned officers and other ranks. Specifically, 1,607 police personnel were promoted from Sergeant to Senior Sergeant, 392 were promoted to Chief Sergeant, 869 from Corporal to Sergeant, 724 from Police Constable to Corporal,
Generally, these promotions encompass 523 junior and senior police officers, while 3,592 are non-commissioned officers.
Maj Gen Muganga served as the Acting Reserve Force Chief of Staff (RFCOS) from November 2018 prior to his latest appointment as the Commander of Mechanized Division in April 2019.
Besides, Brig Gen Mutiganda previously served as the Acting Director General of the external security department at the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) before he was re-deployed to RDF Headquarters in 2018.
The statement released by RDF also shows that President Kagame has authorized the dismissal of 116 other ranks and approved the rescission of service contracts of 112 other ranks.
“The dismissal and rescission of service contracts take immediate effect,” adds the statement dated 7th June 2023.
The Article 7 of the Law Nº 38/2015 of 30/07/2015 determining the downsizing, dismissal ,discharge and demobilization of RDF personnel; stipulates that a member of Rwanda Defence Forces may be dismissed due to gross misconduct.
It reads that gross misconduct leading to dismissal has to be approved by the competent authority.
Among others, officers are dismissed by a Presidential Order while Non Commissioned Officers and troops are dismissed by an Order of the Minister.
As for rescission of service contract, the article 105 of the Presidential Order Nº 044/01 of 14/02/2020 indicates that the Minister rescinds, when considered necessary, the service contract entered into with a soldier.
It further states that the soldier whose service contract is rescinded is entitled to a rescission of the contract package equivalent to a quarter (1/4) of the end of contract package.
The dismissals and contract recessions came less than 24hrs after President Kagame made major changes in the military, defence and intelligence ranks.
The dismissals are announced following a cabinet meeting held on Tuesday and reshuffle in RDF top brass that saw Lt Gen Mubarakh Muganga named Chief of Defence Staff replacing Gen Jean Bosco Kazura.
Other changes saw Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi appointed as RDF Army Chief of Staff (ACOS) while Juvenal Marizamunda, the Commissioner General of the Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS) has been named Minister of Defence replacing Maj Gen Albert Murasira.
Among others, Colonel Francis Regis Gatarayiha has been named Acting Head of Military Intelligence in the RDF replacing Maj Gen Nyakarundi.
The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH), is one programmes that show promise in helping overcome these challenges and propel the continent to greater heights.
ABH Prize Competition, sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy, is a philanthropic initiative aimed at supporting and inspiring the next generation of African entrepreneurs across all sectors. The goal is to build a more sustainable and inclusive economy for the future of the continent.
Over a 10-year period, ABH plans to recognize 100 African entrepreneurs and provide them with grant funding, training programs, and support for ecosystem development.
Each year, the ABH Prize Competition and show feature 10 finalists who pitch their businesses to win a share of US$1.5 million in grant money.
Since its inception in 2019, Rwanda has been actively participating in ABH, and the country has greatly benefited from the program. Four entrepreneurs from Rwanda have emerged among the top 10 winners in 2019, 2021, and 2022, respectively. In total, Rwanda has received over US$385,000 (equivalent to over 406 million Rwandan Francs) in grant funding.
To provide seamless support to the program’s beneficiaries, ABH established its first physical African office in Rwanda in October 2022. The office, located at the Norrsken House in Kigali, aims to streamline operations and enhance the impact of the program in the region.
During an exclusive interview with IGIHE on the sidelines of GITEX Africa Summit held in Morocco from May 31st to June 2nd, 2023; Michael Mang, the Project Director of ABH shed light on the prospects for the local office, its impact, and why Rwanda was selected as a host among other related topics.
{{Excerpts:}}
{{1. Africa Business Heroes recently established its first physical office on the African continent in Kigali. Why did you choose Rwanda as a host? }}
Choosing Rwanda as the location for our representative office was based on several factors. Firstly, Rwanda offers a stable business environment and presents numerous potential business opportunities.
Secondly, we have a valuable partnership with the African Leadership University (ALU), and by establishing an office in Rwanda, we can work closely with them as a team.
Lastly, Rwanda is known as a hub for entrepreneurship, making it an ideal base for us to connect with the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
We strategically chose to be based at Norrsken House in Kigali, which houses one of the largest entrepreneur incubators and co-working spaces on the continent, further enhancing our access to the ecosystem.
{{2. Since the office’s opening, what has been the contribution of the local office in Rwanda?}}
The local office in Rwanda has been really helpful. We decided to open an office here to engage with the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and be accessible to entrepreneurs who seek our support.
Additionally, we had the opportunity to hire local talents who have brought significant value to our program. As a result, we have witnessed tremendous growth in terms of results and progress.
{{3. What kind of support do you extend to entrepreneurs in Rwanda and the region?}}
We offer support to entrepreneurs in various ways. As our program expands and we gain more experience, we have developed a keen understanding of their pain points.
We provide assistance with various aspects, such as filling out application forms, navigating the competition process, and addressing any support they require.
To facilitate effective communication, we have a dedicated customer service team in Rwanda that can assist entrepreneurs in both French and English. Our aim is to ensure a positive experience for them and help them gain better insights into their own businesses.
Moreover, entrepreneurs benefit from receiving advice from our judges and connecting with a larger entrepreneurial community.
{{4. Do you consider increasing the existing financial assistance you provide?}}
We appreciate your question but this is something we need to further evaluate. Currently, we observe that participants in our competitions are motivated not solely by monetary rewards.
While financial support is a part of the incentive and value they perceive, they also value the media exposure and connections they can establish.
Entrepreneurship can often be a lonely journey, but connecting with fellow entrepreneurs who share similar experiences is invaluable for business growth.
Therefore, when considering support, we will take a holistic approach to identify the types of assistance we can provide beyond financial resources.
{{5. What can we expect from the ABH local office in the next five years?}}
Over the next five years, we envision a stable and continuously growing team focused on three key areas.
Firstly, we aim to further enhance our competition, creating a captivating show that reaches an even broader audience.
Secondly, we seek to foster an engaged and beneficial community for our members.
Lastly, we aspire to witness the growth of individuals, the team, and the businesses we support as they come together for collective success.
{{6. How do you support entrepreneurs to embrace technology?}}
As you may be aware, our competition is highly inclusive and attracts a diverse range of grassroots entrepreneurs, whom we deeply value and recognize.
By looking at the achievements of the past heroes, including the top 10 and top 20 from the last four years, you can witness the remarkable diversity and wide variety of their projects.
Technology plays a crucial role in empowering entrepreneurs to seize market opportunities and deliver superior products and services to their target audiences.
Therefore, we actively encourage entrepreneurs to embrace technology, as it is instrumental in propelling their businesses to great heights.
However, we also believe in promoting a balanced approach by encouraging entrepreneurs to explore traditional methods and grassroots initiatives that can positively transform people’s lives and make a lasting impact.
{{7. What message do you have for Rwandans and the regional population?}}
Rwanda holds a significant advantage as a hub on the continent, particularly in East Africa. The government’s substantial support for entrepreneurship is commendable.
We encourage Rwandan entrepreneurs to actively participate in events, explore networking opportunities, and apply for competitions like ours.
It is also essential for them to reach out beyond their own region, both within Africa and internationally, to learn from others and gain exposure to different market dynamics.
While Rwanda offers an excellent market, there is vast potential to explore and tap into larger markets by embracing new experiences.
Marizamunda takes over from Maj Gen Albert Murasira, who held the position since October 2018.
Prior to this new appointment, Marizamunda served as the Commissioner General of the Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS) from 2021, following his transfer from the Rwanda National Police (RNP) where he worked as the Deputy Inspector General in Charge of Operations.
Marizamunda had previously served as a soldier in RDF before being transferred to RNP in 2014. He held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel at the time.
Meanwhile, Lt Gen Muganga, the new CDS, previously served as the Army Chief of Staff (ACOS).
He replaces Gen Jean Bosco Kazura, who held the position since 2019.
Among others, Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi, former Head of Military Intelligence, has been appointed Army Chief of Staff while Colonel Francis Regis Gatarayiha, who previously served as his deputy, has been named Acting Head of Military Intelligence in the RDF.
Several other notable appointments include Maj Gen Alex Kagame, who has been named Joint Task Force Commander in Mozambique, replacing Maj Gen Eugene Nkubito, who has been assigned as the Commander of the 3rd Division operating in Rwanda’s Western Province.
Colonel Theodomir Bahizi has been appointed as the Battle Group Commander in Mozambique.
Lt Col Augustin Migabo has been promoted to Colonel and appointed as Deputy Commander of the Special Force Command.
Meanwhile, Brig Gen Evariste Murenzi appointed as the new Commissioner General of the RCS.
Another key change includes the appointment of Jean Bosco Ntibitura as the Director General of the Internal Security Service (NISS), a position previously held by the current Minister of Interior, Alfred Gasana.
Koné was participating in a panel discussion centered around the theme ‘Uniting Towards One African Market,’ at the GITEX Africa Summit held in Morocco on 31st May 2023 .
He was joined by Dr. Monica Musenero, the Minister of Science and Technology Innovations in Uganda; Ghita Mezzour, the Moroccan Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform and Tahina Razafindramalo, the Minister of Digital Transformation among others.
Koné emphasized that cross-border integration should be accompanied by robust digital infrastructure to maintain sovereignty, as a lack thereof may be perceived as non-sovereign in some instances.
“Digital integration is becoming a prerequisite; we do not have a choice but to integrate our market,” he stated. Koné further explained that expanding the market beyond national boundaries enables small and medium enterprises and startups to target consumers in other African nations.
Highlighting the progress made, Koné cited infrastructure and connectivity developments, along with initiatives like the Smart Africa Trust Alliance (SATA), which saw ten countries, including Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Zambia, signing a declaration to adopt digital identification.
When discussing the reasons behind Africa’s lag in digital infrastructure, Koné identified gaps that need to be addressed and called on governments to collaborate with the private sector.
“To move forward, we need a mindset change, as the development of any country relies on the private sector. We need a conducive environment to attract private sector investments,” he noted.
Tahina Razafindramalo emphasized that unlocking Africa’s digital economy is vital for sustainable economic growth and job creation.
He commended African leaders for the progress made, particularly through initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area under the African Union’s Agenda 63, which is expected to boost trade.
Other panelists recommended stabilizing continental payment systems and streamlining logistics to facilitate smoother trade.
Ghita Mezzour, the Moroccan Minister Delegate for Digital Transition, pointed out the need to address the digital skills gap among the human capital. She stressed the importance of working together to create a harmonized environment that attracts both Africans and international partners to ensure the success of the digital market initiative.
Officially opened by Aziz Akhannouch, the inaugural Gitex Africa Summit, held in the Red City of Marrakech, brought together over 900 tech companies, government entities, startups, and participants from more than 100 countries.
The event runs from 31st May to 2nd June, where tech companies are showcasing innovations in various areas including health, agriculture, and artificial intelligence.
With more than 100 participating government entities from 80 countries, GITEX Africa 2023 will also be the catalyst of multiple investment pledges and pubic private partnership announcements spearheading the acceleration of Africa’s digital transformation initiatives.
The monthly community work event was attended by guests who are in Rwanda for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) finals, which are scheduled to take place on Saturday. The finals will feature a face-off between AS Douanes from Senegal and Al Ahly from Egypt.
During the community work event, President Kagame familiarized the participating guests with the long-standing tradition of Umuganda in Rwanda.
Umuganda serves as a platform to unite people for various community development initiatives, such as promoting hygiene, planting trees, and improving infrastructure among others.
President Kagame expressed his gratitude to the guests for joining Rwandans in their community work efforts, emphasizing the significance of collective action for the betterment of society.
The Head of State made the disclosure at the 3rd Qatar Economic Forum reacting to a question about criticisms by a United Nations agency which recently claimed that sending migrants to Rwanda would bring potential harm.
Kagame was also asked to comment on possible benefits for Rwanda to pull from the Migration and Economic Development Partnership signed between Rwanda and UK in April last year.
“We did not really beg anybody to work with us or to send migrants to Rwanda. It’s an idea that developed to solve a problem. And migrant issues are about human capital gaps that exist and have these movements but the origin can also be instability in different parts of the world,” he said.
“The partnership, therefore, was forged around saying how do we address this problem? And there came a development partnership around that, which would mean resettling migrants who need to settle down and have the freedom to do what they want to do in places that they are stable,” added Kagame.
The President highlighted that In fact the current UK migration problem that is being talked about, came later following Rwanda’s interventions to help migrants from Libya.
He explained that the efforts have yielded fruits adding that more European countries are contacting Rwanda for similar agreements to address migrant crisis.
“We started with resettling, and receiving people from Libya, who were stuck in Libya because of instability that developed in Libya and there were many Africans coming from different parts of Africa caught up in Libya heading to Europe,” noted Kagame.
“It started in 2018, and we have heard a number of them brought to Rwanda. Some stayed, processed, others have gone to different countries but it has been done properly and saved lives of people who were caught up in the situation. Learning from that, that is how the UK [partnership works], and there are other European countries that have been contacting us to address this,” he added.
The President also reiterated Rwanda’s readiness to receive migrants working with UK.
Kagame’s comments followed statements by the United Kingdom (UK) Home Office accusing the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) of hypocrisy regarding their plan to send migrants and asylum seekers to Rwanda.
In 2019, the UNHCR played a crucial role in a program aimed at relocating migrants stranded in Libya. This initiative, supported by the Rwandan government and other partners, led to the establishment of a transit camp in Gashora, Bugesera District.
The migrants housed in this facility receive accommodation and necessary care. Since the program’s inception, over 1,500 migrants have been relocated to Gashora, with nearly a thousand of them being granted asylum in third countries.
However, despite this precedent, the UNHCR opposes the United Kingdom’s policy of relocating migrants to Rwanda. This position became evident during a recent hearing at the British Court of Appeal.
The UK Ministry of Interior has labelled the criticisms as a double standard given that Rwanda and the UNHCR already have a similar agreement in place.
The agreement signed last year sets the stage for the deportation of migrants and asylum seekers staying in the UK illegally to Rwanda.
The UK made this decision to discourage illegal crossings into the country and to reduce the budget spent on illegal migrants every year.
The UK Ministry of Interior has labelled the criticisms as a double standard given that Rwanda and the UNHCR already have a similar agreement in place.
In 2019, the UNHCR played a crucial role in a program aimed at relocating migrants stranded in Libya. This initiative, supported by the Rwandan government and other partners, led to the establishment of a transit camp in Gashora, Bugesera District.
The migrants housed in this facility receive accommodation and necessary care. Since the program’s inception, over 1,500 migrants have been relocated to Gashora, with nearly a thousand of them being granted asylum in third countries.
However, despite this precedent, the UNHCR opposes the United Kingdom’s policy of relocating migrants to Rwanda. This position became evident during a recent hearing at the British Court of Appeal.
Lawyers representing a migrant advocacy organization argued that Rwanda is known for human rights violations and that transferred migrants would no longer receive protection from the United Kingdom.
Responding to these arguments, an official from the UK Ministry of Interior expressed their opinion in an interview with The Times, stating that “it appears hypocritical for the UNHCR to criticize our program with Rwanda while being involved in a similar initiative in that country.”
Under the Migration and Economic Development Partnership signed between Rwanda and the UK in April last year, the UK will provide an upfront investment of £120 million to fund invaluable opportunities for Rwandans and migrants, including secondary qualifications, vocational and skills training, language lessons, and higher education.
The agreement sets the stage for the deportation of migrants and asylum seekers staying in the UK illegally to Rwanda.
The UK made this decision to discourage illegal crossings into the country and to reduce the budget spent on illegal migrants every year.
Earlier this year, Rwanda and the UK signed an additional agreement aimed at expanding the provision of support for migrants to be deported to Rwanda.
Upon arrival, asylum seekers from African countries and others outside the continent will be treated with dignity, just like Rwandans. It is expected that those willing to return to their home countries will be assisted in doing so.
The initial plan was for the first migrants to arrive in Rwanda in July 2022. However, this deadline was postponed following a complaint filed by organizations advocating for migrants’ rights.
One family contesting their deportation to Rwanda argued that it is not a safe country for migrants.
During a recent hearing, the family’s lawyers claimed that Rwanda is known for human rights violations.
They further argued that if the United Kingdom chose to transfer migrants to Rwanda, they would no longer be under British protection and might lack the means to ensure their safety.
However, the UK maintains that Rwanda is a safe country for the resettlement of asylum seekers.
The event, organized by the Ministry of Environment in Rwanda’s capital of Kigali, featured discussions about the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted by countries last December as part of efforts to halt and reverse nature loss.
Speaking at the event, Rwandan Minister of Environment Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya said the country’s development agenda recognizes the central role that biodiversity plays in terms of supporting national economic growth. “We cannot develop our nation unless we put the environment at the heart of everything we do.”
The minister warned against cutting down trees. “We need to reverse this trend, and educate future generations to understand the importance of biodiversity in everything we do for a brighter future,” she said.
The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) highlighted that Rwanda’s biodiversity plays a critical role in ecosystem services such as ensuring water provision, air for breathing, controlling soil erosion and flooding, as well as climate change mitigation.
“Biodiversity is part of our lives. Growing up, I was surrounded by nature and this helped build my passion for protecting the environment and understand the importance of biodiversity. I encourage us all to reconnect with nature and prioritize biodiversity,” Juliet Kabera, director general of REMA, told an audience of stakeholders of Rwanda’s climate, environment and natural resources sectors.
The International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated this year under the theme “From agreement to action: Build Back Biodiversity” to remind nations that biodiversity is essential to ecosystem function and services delivery.
