Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame on Thursday shook up his cabinet, slashing it by 15 per cent and appointing more women.
Kagame reduced the number of ministers (and ministries) from 31 to 26.
Slashed ministerial positions are: minister of lands and forestry, junior education minister in charge of technical and vocational education and training, junior local government minister in charge of socio-economic development, junior minister in charge of energy and water, as well as the junior minister for agriculture.
Kagame’s new cabinet, women will occupy 50 per cent – meaning that 13 out of the 26 cabinet ministers are now women.
Who is and Who is Out? Kagame’s Dropped and Appointed Ministers
Sezibera Replaces Mushikiwabo
- Dr Richard Sezibera replaces Louise Mushikiwabo as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Relations. Mushikiwabo elected Secretary General of Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) recently.
- Senator Sezibera is former Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC), former health Minister for Health, former Kagame envoy to Great Lakes Region and former ambassador to the US.
- Prof Anastase Shyaka leaves CEO position at Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), to replace Francis Kaboneka as local Government minister.
- Paula Ingabire leaves ICT job at Rwanda Development Board and role at Kigali Innovation City initiative to replace Jean de Dieu Rurangirwa as ICT and innovation minister.
- Soraya Hakuziyaremye replaces Vincent Munyeshyaka as trade and industry minister.
- Maj Gen Albert Murasira leaves his Zigama Credit and Savings Bank Managing Director job to replace Gen. James Kabarebe as defence minister. Kabarebe appointed Kagame’s senior defence and security advisor.
- Solina Nyirahabimana replaces by Espérance Nyirasafari as gender and family promotion minister.
- Espérance Nyirasafari appointed Sports and Culture minister.
- Germaine Kamayirese replaces Jeanne d’Arc De Bonheur as emergency management minister.
Kagame Ministers Who Retained Their Jobs
Dr Vincent Biruta: Minister for Environment
Rosemary Mbabazi: Minister for Youth
Fanfan Kayirangwa Rwanyindo: Minister for Public service and labour
Johnston Busingye: Minister for Justice
Claver Gatete: Minister for Infrastructure
Eugene Mutimura: Minister for Education
Marie Solange Kayisire: Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister
Uzziel Ndagijimana: Minister for Finance
Judith Uwizeye: Minister in the Office of the President
Dr Diane Gashumba: Minister for Health Minister
Dr Gérardine Mukeshimana: Minister for Agriculture
Kagame State (Junior) Ministers
Olivier Nduhungirehe: Foreign Affairs in charge East African Community
Dr Alvera Mukabaramba: Social Affairs
Claudine Uwera: Economic Planning
Isaac Munyakazi: Primary and Secondary Education
Evode Uwizeyimana: Constitutional and Legal Affairs
Patrick Ndimubanzi: Primary Health Care
Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye: Transport
Other Appointments
DCG Dan Munyuza appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP)
CP Felix Namuhoranye appointed deputy IGP in charge of Operations
DCG Juvénal Marizamunda appointed deputy IGP in charge of Administration and Personnel
Former IGP Emmanuel Gasana now new Governor of Southern Province
James Musoni appointed Ambassador to Zimbabwe
Nelly Mukazayire appointed Chief Executive of the Rwanda Convention Bureau.
Régis Gatarayiha appointed Director General for Emigration and Immigration
Anaclet Kalibata appointed Director General of External Security at NISS.
Former Rwanda Revenue Authority head Richard Tusabe appointed Rwanda Social Security Board Director General
Former Ministry of Infrastructure PS Christian Rwakunda appointed Deputy Director General in charge of Fund Management at Rwanda Social Security Board
Pascal Bizimana Ruganintwali appointed Rwanda Revenue Authority head
Agnes Kanyangeyo appointed deputy Rwanda Revenue Authority head
