President Paul Kagame this Friday presided over the swearing in ceremony of new ministers at the parliamentary building in Kimihurura. The president cautioned the new minister not to use the positions in satisfying personal interests.
Kagame said that they are sufficiently equipped to succeed in their mission and the important thing is to do their jobs well.
He observed that the new entrants to the cabinet are still young and majority are women who should work harder and vigorously, that nothing will be impossible if they worked together with the right values and for the benefit of Rwandans.
On Wednesday President reshuffled his cabinet bringing new blood in key ministries of health and education. He appointed Dr. Daniel Ngamije as Minister of Health and Dr. Valentine Uwamariya as Minister of Education.
Four of the eight new ministers and state ministers are women, this brings in 17 women out the 32 members of the cabinet.
Who were appointed and who replaced who
Dr. Ngamije sourced from World Health Organisation replaces Dr. Diane Gashumba who resigned two weeks ago while Dr. Uwamariya, an academic will replace Eugene Mutimura who was moved to head the Science and Technology Commission.
More changes in the ministry of health bring in Lt. Col. Dr. Tharcisse Mpunga as the new State Minister in Charge of Primary Healthcare replacing Dr. Patrick Ndimubanzi who is the new Executive Secretary of the Human Resources for Health Secretariat.
In education, Gaspard Twagirayezu replaced Isaac Munyakazi (resigned) as State Minister in Charge Primary and Secondary Education while Claudette Irere becomes Minister of State in Charge Technical and Vocational Education and Training.
Dr. Jeannette Bayisenge was appointed Minister of Gender and Family Promotion replacing Solina Nyirahabimana who was made Minister of State in Charge of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, a position held by Evode Uwizeyimana who also resigned weeks ago.
Inès Mpambara, Kagame’s long serving Director of Cabinet was appointed Minister in Charge of Cabinet Affairs replacing Madamu Marie-Solange Kayisire who becomes Minister in Charge of Emergency Management.
Richard Tushabe who was head of Rwanda Social Security Board enters cabinet as Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning in Charge of the National Treasury.
Regis Rugemanshuro was appointed Director General of Rwanda Social Security Board while Jean-Marie Gacandaga will deputise him as Deputy Director General in Charge of Fund Management.
Other changes included Amandin Rugira appointed ambassador to Zambia, Dr. Dieudonné Sebashongore ambassador to Belgium and Yves Iradukunda Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT and Innovation.