A cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Village Urugwiro announced several high-level appointments across ministries, public institutions, and diplomatic missions.
Ambassador Vincent Karega was appointed Rwanda’s first Resident Ambassador to Algeria, while Innocent Muhizi was named High Commissioner to Singapore.
Karega was dismissed as Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in November 2022 following tensions sparked by the M23 rebel group’s capture of the cities of Rutshuru and Kiwanja—rebels the DRC government accuses Rwanda of backing which Rwanda denies the allegations.
Subsequently, Belgium rejected Karega’s letters of credence when he was nominated as Rwanda’s Ambassador in March 2023, citing his recent expulsion from the DRC where he had been declared persona non grata.
Muhizi succeeds Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, who served as High Commissioner to Singapore since 2019, with additional accreditation to Australia and New Zealand.
Dr. Muhammed Semakula was appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, alongside Sophie Nzabaninmana, who will serve as Director General for General Services.
In the Ministry of Infrastructure, Gisèle Umuhumuza was appointed Permanent Secretary, with Canoth Manishimwe serving as Director General of Corporate Services.
Eric Bingirente was appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth.
Among the new appointments, Candy Basomingera, formerly the Deputy CEO of the Rwanda Convention Bureau has been named Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports. She replaces Uwayezu François Régis, who held the position for just eight months.
Meanwhile, Gisele Umuhumuza has been appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, while Canoth Manishimwe will serve as the Director General of Corporate Services in the same ministry.
Prudence Biraboneye has been appointed Secretary General of the National Public Prosecution Authority, while Ambassador Jeanine Kambanda will serve as Secretary General of the National Commission for Human Rights.
Dr. Asaph Kabaasha will serve as Director General of the Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC), while Hortense Mudenge was appointed CEO of Kigali International Financial Center (KIFC), replacing Nick Barigye who joined Crystal Ventures Limited.
Maeva Seka Haguma has been appointed Deputy CEO of the Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB), following her tenure as Deputy Principal Private Secretary in the Office of the President.
In a fresh round of appointments, Alphonsine Mirembe has been named Clerk of the Chamber of Deputies, transitioning from her previous role as Deputy Director of Cabinet in the Office of the President.
At the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission, Valerie Nyirahabineza has been appointed Chairperson, with Maj. Gen (Rtd) Jacques Nziza as Vice Chairperson. New commission members include Dancille Nyirarugero, Jacqueline Muhongayire, and Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi.
The Rwanda Law Reform Commission welcomed Claudine Dushimimana as Chairperson and Andre Bucyana as Secretary General.
Key leadership changes were also made at the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA): Antoine Sebera becomes CEO, Roger Mizero takes on the role of Chief Technology Officer, and Innocent Asiimwe Mudenge is the new Chief Operations and Strategy Officer
Claude Mwizerwa has been appointed Deputy Director General of the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda.
At the Rwanda Cooperative Agency, Francis Kamanzi, former CEO of the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board, now serves as Director General. Meanwhile, Sheja Valliere has been named Chief of Strategy and Communications Officer at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
