The president appointed Juvénal Marizamunda as the new defence minister, replacing Maj Gen Albert Murasira, who was in the post since 2018.
A new army chief, Lt Gen Mubarakh Muganga, is taking over from GenJean Bosco Kazura who ran the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) since November 2019..
A reshuffle in which a defence minister and army chief are fired at the same time is not common in Rwanda.
No reasons have been given for the reshuffle. In previous changes to the upper echelons of the military, Mr Kagame would at times publicly hint at the reason.
In the Monday night reshuffle, Mr Kagame also appointed a new army chief of staff (land forces) as well as head of military intelligence.
In another move, he changed the top commanders of Rwandan troops deployed in Mozambique to help fight militant Islamists.
Five things to know about new defence chief Gen. Mubarakh Muganga
Muganga, 56, is a highly experienced officer, having served in the RDF for more than 30 years. As he assumes his newest responsibilities, The New Times brings you five things you may need to know about him.
A public administration professional
General Muganga holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, a course that equips leaders to serve communities in order to advance the common good and achieve constructive change. Professionals in public administration are trained to manage at various levels of government – local, state, as well as non-profit organizations.
In addition, he has studied several governance courses, among which is one in leadership science and strategic management at Tsinghua National Defence University, China, and another in African Strategy at Nasser Higher Military Academy, High War College-Cairo, Egypt.
Boasts multiple international military courses
Muganga has studied a number of military courses. These include Defence and Strategic Studies at the People’s Liberation Army National Defence University – China, as well as a course on International Peace Support Operations for senior mission leaders at the Peace Support Training Centre, Kenya.
He also did a course on Managing Defence in a Democracy in 2006 at the Peace Support Training Centre in Kenya, and a command and staff course in 2005 in Lusaka, Zambia. In his early days, he had a Cadet Officer Course in Jinja, Uganda between 1988-1989.
Headed various RDF divisions
With more than 30 years in the military, General Muganga has been a leader of many divisions of the RDF. Between 2008 and 2012, he was the commander of the fourth division, while between 2013 to 2015, he was at the helm of the third division. Between 2016 to 2021, he was head of the first division and the Armed Forces Shop Board of Directors.
Decorated General
General Muganga is a recipient of various awards including the National Liberation Medal, Campaign against Genocide Medal, Foreign Campaign Medal, Presidential Inauguration Medal; Combat Action Ribbon, Combat Service Ribbon, Community Service Ribbon.
An avid football fan
He is a great lover of football. Many fans of the beautiful game know him for his work at the helm of APR FC, a club for which he was not only chairman until recently, but spared time to watch several times.
Recently, rumours suggested he was among the people tapped to lead the local football federation FERWAFA, after the resignation of its president, but he distanced himself from this.
President Paul Kagame, on Monday, June 5 appointed Lt Gen Mubarakh Muganga as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing Gen Jean-Bosco Kazura, who has served in this capacity since November 2019.
