President Paul Kagame as the Commander in Chief of armed forces on Monday evening appointed Juvénal Marizamunda as the new Minister of Defence and Lieutenant General Mubarakh Muganga as the new Chief of Defence Staff.
The changes communicated in a statement from the Office of the President indicates that, Marizamunda replaces Maj Gen Albert Murasira while Lt Gen Muganga replaces Gen Jean-Bosco Kazura, who has served in this capacity since November 2019.
Marizamunda was until his appointment the Commissioner General for Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS), while Muganga was the Army Chief of Staff in Rwanda Defence Force (RDF).
In a separate communication, the President promoted Col. Godfrey Gasana to Deputy Air Force Chief of Staff, to the rank of Brigadier General with immediate effect.
Other changes included the elevation of Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi to Army Chief of Staff, replacing Muganga. Nyakarundi was the head of Defence Intelligence in RDF, a position that will now be occupied by Col François-Régis Gatarayiha.
Maj Gen Alex Kagame was named the new Joint Taskforce Commander in Mozambique, where he will replace Maj Gen. Eugène Nkubito who will now take charge of the 3rd Division of RDF and Col Théodomir Bahizi was named Battle Group Commander in Mozambique.
The commander in Chief also promoted Augustin Migabo to Colonel and named him the Deputy Commander of the Special Force Command which is currently headed by Maj Gen Ruki Karusisi.
Other changes include, Brig Gen. Evariste Murenzi who was appointed Commissioner General of RCS and Jean-Bosco Ntibitura was named Director General in charge of Internal Security in the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).
