This Thursday, President Paul Kagame sworn in Domitilla Mukantaganzwa as the new President of the Supreme Court and Alphonse Hitiyaremye as her deputy.
Mukantaganzwa succeeds Faustin Ntezilyayo as Chief Justice, while Hitiyaremye replaces Marie-Thérèse Mukamulisa, marking the beginning of their five-year terms.
During the ceremony, President Kagame condemned the recent killings of survivors from the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He emphasized that such acts of violence must come to an end, as they pose a threat to the peace and unity that Rwanda has diligently built since the genocide. “We cannot go back to the dark past,” he stated firmly. Kagame further warned that if the justice system fails, alternative measures would be implemented to maintain order.
These killings have shocked the nation. Over the past few months, there have been reports of survivors being attacked and killed in their homes. Among the victims were Karekezi Vincent in Nyaruguru District and Mukakanyamibwa Béatrice in Karongi District.
President Kagame stressed that these attacks were unacceptable and should never happen again. He added that justice must be upheld to prevent Rwanda from slipping back into violence.
The new leaders bring decades of experience to their roles. Mukantaganzwa has over 30 years of legal expertise, including overseeing the Gacaca Courts, which handled nearly two million cases related to the genocide. She also led the Rwanda Law Reform Commission.
In her speech, she pledged to ensure justice is delivered fairly and without delay. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” she said.
Hitiyaremye, a former Deputy Prosecutor General, also brings a wealth of experience to his new position. He has served as a judge on the Supreme Court in the past and is committed to helping strengthen the justice system.
President Kagame expressed confidence in the new leadership, highlighting the importance of continuing reforms in the justice sector. He said that Rwanda’s laws and justice system must remain strong, and the country cannot allow politics to undermine them. “We are not useless, our laws are not useless,” Kagame said. “Justice must exist, and it cannot become useless.”
The president emphasized that the rule of law is crucial for unity in Rwanda. “Everyone is equal before the law,” he said. “We must all respect justice and the country’s laws.”
Mukantaganzwa and Hitiyaremye’s appointment comes at a critical time for Rwanda. The country has made significant progress since the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, but the recent killings remind everyone that justice remains a vital part of the nation’s ongoing healing process.
Kagame’s words were clear: Rwanda must continue moving forward, with justice for all. If anyone tries to bring back the past, the law will act swiftly to stop them.
