President Paul Kagame appoints new ministers and ambassadors

Damien Murwanashyaka was appointed Minister of Infrastructure, replacing Jimmy Gasore, who had served in the position since September 2023. Murwanashyaka is a civil engineer who has worked in major real estate and construction companies.

Since May 2024, Murwanashyaka had been the Chief Executive Officer of UDL, a real estate company owned by the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB). He has previously served as Contracts Manager at Century Engineering Contractors. He also worked with Real Contractors, Gasabo 3D Design, and ROKO Construction.

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Armand Zingiro and Col Claudien Bizimungu were appointed Ministers of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure.

Previously, the ministry had one State Minister, Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, who has been dropped.

Until his appointment, Zingiro was the Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Energy Group (REG). Bizimungu previously served as Deputy Commander of the Engineer Command of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF).

Judith Uwizeye returned to her previous role as Minister of Public Service and Labour, replacing Christine Nkulikiyinka, who was appointed Ambassador to Spain.

Until her appointment, Uwizeye was Minister in the Office of the President. That ministry has now been scrapped under the new Cabinet structure.

Nkilikiyinka returns to diplomacy, having previously served as Rwanda’s Ambassador to Sweden and earlier to Germany.

Antoine-Marie Kajangwe was promoted to Minister of Trade and Industry, replacing Prudence Sebahizi, who had served in the position since August 2024.

Kajangwe previously served as Permanent Secretary in the same ministry, a position he took up in August 2024. He had also served as Director General in charge of Trade and Investment in the same ministry.

Proposed Ambassadors

Alongside Ambassador Nkul

ikiyinka, President Kagame nominated several envoys to different countries.

Lt Gen (Rtd) Karenzi Karake was appointed as proposed Ambassador to China, replacing Joseph Kimonyo, who had served since November 2019. Among other roles, Karake previously served as Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS).

Maj Gen Emmanuel Bayingana was appointed Ambassador to Israel, replacing James Gatera. Bayingana previously served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence.

Col (Rtd) Jeannot Ruhunga was appointed Ambassador to Poland. The former Secretary General of the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) replaces Anastase Shyaka, who had served since 2021.

Other Key Appointments

Chantal Tuyishimire was appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry. She previously served as Senior Policy Analyst in the Office of the Prime Minister.

Louise Kanyonga was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Zigama CSS, a cooperative bank owned by the country’s security forces. Before her appointment, she was Deputy Chief Executive Officer of RSSB.

Meanwhile, Maxmillien Byilingiro was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Energy Group (REG), replacing Zingiro. He previously served as General Manager of Shema Power Lake Kivu methane gas company.

Michelle Umurungi was appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer of RSSB in charge of investments, replacing Kanyonga. Before this appointment, she was Chief Investment Officer at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).